What role do decomposers play in the ecosystem?
Give some specific examples. Explain why ecosystems would very quickly deteriorate if decomposers were removed. Sketch the hydrologic cycle. Why is vegetation of important on the land? Follow carbon through its complete cycle. How is carbon in the ocean related to carbon in the atmosphere? What is the significance of the observation that, on average, every breath you inhale contains three molecules of carbon dioxide that were exhaled in Cleopatras dieing breath? Follow phosphorous through a complete cycle. Why is soil erosion so important to phosphorous? Follow nitrogen through a complete cycle. With three specific bacteria, nitrogen would no longer be cycled. Why? Where and in what form does nitrogen leak from an ecosystem. Discuss the geologic history of the Earth. How has the atmosphere of Earth changed and what caused it. Describe in general terms the geologic mineral cycle. Relate primary succession of soil-development to ecosystem development. Why are the two inseparable? Relate
