Ecology

Ecology

ecolECOLOGY QUESTION 1985: L. PETERSON/AP BIOLOGY

Describe the process of ecological succession from a pioneer community
to a climax community. Include in your answer a discussion of species
diversity and interactions, accumulation of biomass, and energy flow.

STANDARDS:
DESCRIPTION
__   Definition of Succession
__   Differentiation (Primary/Secondary)
Examples:
__   Pioneer
__   Climax
__   Sere (two or more examples = 2 points)
__   Modification of the environment

SPECIES DIVERSITY
__   Explanation of increase
__   Types of Competition (or Niche)
__   Examples
__   Change in Population Density
__   Description of Food Web
__   R-Strategists -> K-Strategists (2 points)
__   Change in Symbiotic Relationships (increase toward mutualisms)

BIOMASS
__   Production increase and explanation (2 points)
__   Levels of Organizationm (Autotrophs & Heterotrophs)
__   Examples of Producers (etc.)
__   Pyramid or Explanation

ENERGETICS
__   Source (Sun)
__   Utilization - Photosynthesis
__   Explanation of Decrease (entropy -unused) OR   Pyramid + Explanation
__   Climax Stability (Dynamic Equilibrium)
__   P/R toward 1
__   Net Productivity Decrease

ECOLOGY QUESTION 1993: L. PETERSON/AP BIOLOGY

Living organisms play an important role in the recycling of many elements
within an ecosystem. Discuss how various types of organisms and their
biochemical reactions contribute to the recycling or either carbon or
nitrogen in an ecosystem. Include in your answer one way in which human
activity has an impact on the nutrient cycle you have chosen.

This question required students to integrate material typically presented at
widely separated times in their course wor, namely ecology, biochemistry,
and organismal diversity. Conceptual understanding was extremely important;
simple recall of words or phrases did not earn points. Students were required
to choose one cycle, and to trace the pathway(s) of the chosen element through...