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| Globally, most energy flow is through: |
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Term
Unlike energy flow through ecosystems, the elemental constituents of biomass:
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Definition
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Term
| Microbial enrichment refers to: |
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Definition
o the release of dissolved nutrients from POM by microorganisms breaking it down
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Term
How can a P/R ratio (carbon sink/carbon source) indicate disturbance in natural communities?
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Definition
o pulses of organic matter can shift the ratio into a heterotrophic succession
o early successional stages resulting from “repair” of forest gaps are areas of higher production than respiration
o stable climax communities at equilibrium for biomass and energy dynamics tend to have a P/R ratio of 1
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Term
The terms Pioneer and Climax species have been used by botanists to describe:
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Definition
q r-selected species (pioneer) and K selected species (climax) based on growth dynamics and competitive ability.
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Term
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Definition
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A P/R ratio is indicative of which of the following:
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Definition
qwhether or not a community is at steady state
qwhether or not a community is detritus based
qwhether a community is undergoing succession or is at climax
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Term
A P/B ratio provides an indication of:
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Definition
o production as a fraction of biomass respired
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Term
| The difference between regional natural NPP and human modified landscape production (agriculture, lawns,asphalt, concrete, buildings, etc.) is called: |
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Definition
o coopted and missing production
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Term
Which of the following is listed in order of increasing assimilation efficiency:
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Definition
o detritivores, herbivores, carnivores
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Term
Which of the following factors contribute to determining the half-life of detritus in the 0 horizon?
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Definition
qEcotone gradients
qTemperature
qmycorrhizae
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Term
| Mineralization and Immobilization refer to: |
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Definition
A) The change in the net flux of nutrients as detritus decomposes (me)
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Term
What are the three dominant greenhouse gases
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Definition
o none of these (CO2 NO2 CH4)
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Term
| Energy that contributes to NPP but is not directly captured as chemical potential energy in biomass is called: |
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Definition
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Term
In terms of sources of nutrient pollution, which has a greater impact?
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Definition
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Term
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Definition
q Total Maximum Daily Load
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Term
Three broad categories that were presented as types of environmental impacts from man’s activities are:
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Definition
q overloads with biodegradables, alteration of abiotic conditions, addition of novel synthetic organics
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Term
What does “Assimilative Capacity” mean?
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Definition
q Ability to utilize or absorb a substance (The ability of a body of water to cleanse itself; its capacity to receive waste waters or toxic materials without deleterious effects and without damage to aquatic life)
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Term
| What is the origin of the N coming down with the rainfall? |
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Definition
q Onshore combustion of fossil fuels
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Term
| Why is rainfall a problem for some sewage treatment plants? |
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Definition
q some older cities have combined storm water and sewer systems
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Term
| Why isn’t sewage sludge used more widely as compost? |
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Definition
q sludge may be contaminated with metals and synthetic chemicals.
q the attitude represented by: “You’re not putting that stuff on my vegetables!”
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Term
| What are the potential uses of sewage treatment plant effluent? |
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Definition
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| . The goal of secondary sewage treatment is: |
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Definition
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Term
| Approximately what fraction of municipal solid waste going to landfills is biodegradable or recyclable? |
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Definition
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Term
| Why don’t organic materials degrade in landfills? |
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Definition
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Term
Why is mercury contamination such a problem in Florida?
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Definition
q There’s lots of sulfate reducing bacteria
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Term
| Individual land/homeowners |
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Definition
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Definition
q results in increased toxicant loads if they are retained when assimilated biomass is respired.
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Term
What would you predict to be the effect of a toxic pollutant on growth efficiency?
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Definition
q energy expended in repair from toxicant damage would decrease growth efficiency
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Term
| A tertiary stage of sewage treatment involves: |
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Definition
q None of these (nutrient removal)
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Term
. If bacteria like to eat oil, why are oil spills a problem?
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Definition
q If it exceeds the assimilative capacity of the system, it creates a smothering overload
q When the labile stuff is gone, the refractory stuff is toxic
q If it can find anaerobic space, it can’t be oxidized to CO2
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Term
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Definition
q none of these (polychlorinated biphenyls)
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Definition
q are hydrophobic
q are toxic
q come from coal tar
q come from crude oil
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Definition
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| Combustion of fossils fuels affects which of the following: |
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Definition
q Air quality
q Nitrogen loading in waterways
q Mercury loading of waterways
q Percent base saturation of soils
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Term
In order, which fuel provides the most energy return
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Definition
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Definition
o is an environmental cause with no real substance
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Term
. Atmospheric carbon dioxide has increased approximately how much in the past 150 years
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Definition
o 10 percent (it should be going up 2-3ppm per year, but instead is going up 1ppm)
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Term
Why is phosphate so naturally limiting?
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