Author: Anonymous

From Tilman and Downing. 1994.  Researchers measured a variety of parameters every year in grassland plots that had been planted with different species richnesses.  One year there was a severe drought.  The researchers compared the biomass of plants in the year following the drought to the biomass of the plants in the year preceding the drought and got the following data.  What are reasonable conclusions from these data? Choose “supported” or “not supported” for each statement.   *numbers in graph indicate how many plots had that number of species. Plots with high species richness (compared to those with very low species richness) had greater resistance to the effects of the drought on biomass. [ans2] The drought decreased species richness[ans3] If we assume that the species rich plots are also higher in diversity, these data support the diversity-stability hypothesis[ans4] These data support the intermediate disturbance hypothesis.[ans5]

In the first half of ecology we discussed factors influencing the carrying capacity for humans.  Worldwide, per capita meat consumption has almost doubled between 1960 and today.  Although there are many cultural and health related reasons to eat meat, there are also ecological consequences of moving toward very meat-heavy diets.  Respond to each of the following prompts in a couple of sentences.     1. How does eating more meat rather than plants impact the position of humans within food chains or webs?   2.  How does eating more meat rather than plants impact the amount of agricultural land needed to support humans?  Which type of diet would allow the Earth to support more humans?   3.  Relate the laws of thermodynamics to the idea you shared in 2 above.    

The primary producer in this system is [primaryproducer] and it would best be described as a [description].

In lecture, we looked at this diagram from Wilmers 2012 about the potential for otter restoration to alter the carbon cycle.  Use the drop down menus to create accurate statements based on the diagram. The addition of otters… [atmosphericcarbon] the amount of carbon in the atmosphere [kelp] the amount of carbon stored in kelp [photo] photosynthesis done by kelp Overall, the net impact of kelp photosynthesis and respiration on the carbon cycle would be [overallimpact]. 

This question is to ensure that you are in the room taking the exam. If you are not in the exam room or at an approved testing location (such as the DRC), close this exam immediately and contact your instructor (Presc030@umn.edu).  What is the name of Prescott’s bearded dragon?  

Which of the following is true of energy in food chains and webs? 

Select the true statement about a flat tax on income.

Which tax is a flat tax in America?

H2O is the chemical formula for [BLANK-1]

Belinda has 15 M&Ms. If everyone gets 3 M&Ms, how many people can she feed? This problem is an example of