Define the Earth’s systems.
Earth system is the interaction of the physical, biological and chemical processes of the earth. There are four main earth systems namely the atmosphere, geosphere, hydrosphere, and biosphere. The atmosphere is the stratum of gasses surrounding the earth while the Geosphere happens to be the solid part of the earth. The Hydrosphere, on the other hand, is the element of the earth that is composed of water i.e. rivers, lakes, oceans and even clouds. Lastly, the biosphere is that system of the earth that incorporates all living things and their interactions as asserted by Lenton, et al. (2008).
What is one Example of a closed system on Earth? An open system?
The earth is an example of a closed system. This is because no mass is traded between the rest of the universe and the Earth. An open system is defined as one which allows both mass and energy to move in and out of it hence the Ocean falls under open system category.
Delegate your assignment to our experts and they will do the rest.
What is the difference between biotic and a biotic factors in an ecosystem.
The biotic factors in an ecosystem are all the live things in an environment such as plants and animals while the Abiotic factors are the non-living things in an environment such as sunlight, gasses, soil and water (Chapin III, Matson and Vitousek, 2011).
List and explain two examples of symbiotic types of relationships.
Mutualism relationship – This is where both partners benefit from each other for example a crocodile and a Plover in Egypt, Africa. The crocodile leaves his mouth open where the plover flies in a eats bits of decaying meat stuck in the reptile’s teeth. The crocodile refrains from feeding on the plover and has his teeth dirt-free while the plover has a meal.
Parasitism relationship – This is where one creature profits from the relationship while the other suffers from it, for example, a Tick on a cow. The Tick attaches itself to the cow and feeds on the animal’s blood. The cow suffers from the itchy skin as a result and may also get infected with Lyme disease carried by the ticks.
What resources do you think will most affect population size in developing countries in the next 20 years? What is your evidence?
Population size in developing countries will be most affected by infrastructure and industrialization. Research has shown that the people tend to cluster around regions with good transport and communication networks. Industrial development results in job provisions hence population increases in such regions.
Explain why the population demographics are so different in Japan and Nigeria – two countries with roughly the same size population.
The demographics of the two countries vary because of the variance in socioeconomic and cultural aspects. These factors include education, industrialization, marriage, family structures, and quality of health care and social status among others.
What role do coral reefs play in helping scientists to understand environmental change?
Coral reefs are very responsive to temperature adjustments. Warmer temperatures result in whitening of coral reefs otherwise known as bleaching while ocean acidification caused by excess carbon dioxide release into the atmosphere causes deterioration of coral reefs.
Discuss what was both good and bad for the biosphere about the use of DDT. Support your answer with evidence from the chapter.
DDT is most useful as a pesticide control. It is used to control lice. However, the pesticide will affect birds and human beings indirectly in some ways. DDT flowed into rivers where fish are. The fish containing this chemical are consumed by birds and humans. This results in a decrease in the bird population as they are killed by the substance ( Scuro, A. 2006).
References
Chapin III, F. S., Matson, P. A., & Vitousek, P. (2011). Principles of terrestrial ecosystem ecology . Springer Science & Business Media.
Lenton, T. M., Held, H., Kriegler, E., Hall, J. W., Lucht, W., Rahmstorf, S., & Schellnhuber, H. J. (2008). Tipping elements in the Earth's climate system. Proceedings of the national Academy of Sciences , 105 (6), 1786-1793.
Scuro, A. (2006). Are GMOs Good or Bad Seeds in the Developing World: A Discussion of the Growing Role of Developing Countries in the Debate over Climate Change and the Loss of Biodiversity. Fordham Envtl. L. Rev. , 18 , 369.
