Note that there's no guarantee that these questions will be on the final exam. Only "good" questions, if any, will be used (probably with some modification) on the exam.
Define PRODUCTION and RESPIRATION.
Describe what is meant by the structure and function of an ecosystem
Give an example (with references) of a positive feedback loop and a negative feedback loop. (Although this is similar to the question given for the essay, it's still a useful topic)
Describe ecological succession using ecosystem level responses of developmental, stable and disturbed states.
Lindemann's paper on trophic-dynamics speaks of quantifying energy through these systems. He also believes that there is energy unaccounted for and should therefore be corrected for. What are the three aspects of dissipation of energy proposed by Lindeman and explain, if you think so, why one of these aspects may be considered a "double-counting" of energy?
Choose any product, good, service, etc., and describe, to the best of your knowledge, an emergy analysis, and why might this be considered by one of our authors as an "energy memory" analysis?
Discuss the anticipated changes in the tropical forest gradient space as a result of expected increase in atmospheric carbon during the next 100 years.
Estuaries are an important ecotone between fresh water and the sea receiving pulsed energy inputs. Discuss the impact of these energy subsidies from both fresh water and ocean sources.
Name four types of disturbance in tropical forests.
Define: shifting cultivation.
Describe the theory of island biogeography.
Why does total biomass of plants equal total biomass of animals in ocean ecosystems?
Suggest a hypothesis to explain high biodiversity in the tropics.
Why is the Lindeman system higher in estuaries?
Compare and contrast salt marshes and mangroves Ecosystems interact with each other in a variety of ways and for a variety of reasons. Provide an example of ecosystem interaction, and explain how and why ecosystems are interacting.
Why was Flax Pond described as a heterotrophic organism?
Discuss diversity within estuaries in terms of gradient space.
Discuss the five types of coastal ecosystems associated with estuarine gradients from dominance of ocean to river. There are three regions in an estuarine system. What are they and how are they characterized?
What is self-design? How does this idea relate to non-native species as Ariel Lugo was discussing the benefits of alien species?
What are the four types of successions Arial Lugo discussed? What is a New Forest Ecosystem?
What are natural scientist' three main criticisms of neoclassical economic models?
What are the primary causes of disturbance in tropical forest ecosystems?
Despite lush appearances, please explain why net productivity in tropical forests is generally no more than that of temperate forests.
What are some of the key factors for successful fisheries management?
The hierarchical structure of ecosystem components has been noted by many natural scientist; how is H.T. Odum's theory of self-organization different?
What is Odum's "outwelling hypothesis"?
Where is the point of highest salinity in a salt marsh? Explain why.
The agribusiness industry depends upon fossil fuels such as gas and oil, which will be used up or become quite expensive in the next 100 years. Describe changes that can be implemented in the method of food production that may be necessary to support populations.
Describe the nutrient cycle in the tropics and how agriculture aids or detracts from the regional cycle.
Describe the relationships between energy availability and disturbance in relation to the productivity and biodiversity of ecosystems. Why are some ecosystems very productive, but not very diverse and other ecosystems diverse, but not very productive? Give examples to support your answer.
Are tropical forests stable ecosystems? Describe the major disturbances that occur in tropical forests. How do these disturbances affect the ecosystem? How are human disturbances to tropical forests different than natural disturbances in terms of their effects on ecosystem stability?