Learning Objectives
You should be able to:
(a) briefly describe the non-cyclical nature of energy flow
(b) explain the terms producer, consumer and trophic level in the context of food chains and food webs
(c) explain how energy losses occur along food chains, and discuss the efficiency of energy transfer between trophic levels
(d) describe and interpret pyramids of numbers and biomass
(e) describe how carbon is cycled within an ecosystem and outline the role of forests and oceans as carbon sinks
(f) evaluate the effects of
• water pollution by sewage and by inorganic waste
• pollution due to insecticides including bioaccumulation up food chains and impact on top carnivores
(g) outline the roles of microorganisms in sewage treatment as an example of environmental biotechnology
(h) discuss reasons for conservation of species with reference to the maintenance of biodiversity and how this is done, e.g. management of fisheries and management of timber production
(a) briefly describe the non-cyclical nature of energy flow
(b) explain the terms producer, consumer and trophic level in the context of food chains and food webs
(c) explain how energy losses occur along food chains, and discuss the efficiency of energy transfer between trophic levels
(d) describe and interpret pyramids of numbers and biomass
(e) describe how carbon is cycled within an ecosystem and outline the role of forests and oceans as carbon sinks
(f) evaluate the effects of
• water pollution by sewage and by inorganic waste
• pollution due to insecticides including bioaccumulation up food chains and impact on top carnivores
(g) outline the roles of microorganisms in sewage treatment as an example of environmental biotechnology
(h) discuss reasons for conservation of species with reference to the maintenance of biodiversity and how this is done, e.g. management of fisheries and management of timber production
Home-Based Research
- Textbook Chapter TWENTY-ONE
Pages 403 to 426 - Textbook Chapter TWENTY-TWO
Pages 427 to 446