Problem 2
Explain (a) why the flow of energy through the biosphere depends on the cycling of nutrients, and (b) why the cycling of nutrients depends on gravity.
Problem 3
Explain why microbes are so important. What are two ways in which they benefit your health or lifestyle? Write a brief description of what you think would happen to you if microbes were eliminated from the earth.
Problem 4
Make a list of the foods you ate for lunch or dinner today. Trace each type of food back to a particular producer species. Describe the sequence of feeding levels that led to your feeding.
Problem 6
How might your life and the lives of any children or grandchildren you might have be affected if human activities as a whole continue to intensify the water cycle?
Problem 7
What would happen to an ecosystem if (a) all of its decomposers and detritus feeders were eliminated, (b) all of its producers were eliminated, and (c) all of its insects were eliminated? Could an ecosystem function with only producers and decomposers and no consumers? Explain.
Problem 8
Describe how exceeding each of the planetary boundaries - disruption of the nitrogen and phosphorous cycles, biodiversity loss, land system change, and climate change-might affect (a) you, (b) any child you might have, and (c) any grandchild you might have.
