ENVB20050 Principles of Environmental Biology & Ecology UCD Assignment Example

Environmental biology and ecology are the scientific studies of the relationship between organisms and their environment. This includes the interactions between organisms and the physical and chemical factors in their environment. Environmental biology and ecology can be used to understand how humans are impacting the environment, as well as ways to protect ecosystems. In this post, we will explore some of the basic principles of environmental biology and ecology. We will also discuss how these principles can be applied to real-world scenarios.

Assignment Activity 1: Appreciate and communicate the application of ecological information in addressing environmental issues.

To address environmental problems, people must appreciate the ecological information that informs conservation decisions. Managers and scientists often use complex models to understand how ecosystems function and what actions might be necessary to protect them. It can be difficult for the public to understand these models and to know why certain steps are being taken. By communicating more effectively about the science underlying ecology, we can help people feel more connected to the decisions our society makes about the environment. This will help create a society that is better informed and more supportive of necessary conservation measures.

Assignment Activity 2: Demonstrate an understanding of key concepts in ecology.

Ecology is the scientific study of the relationships between living organisms and their environment. It encompasses the study of the interactions between species (biodiversity) and the physical environment (habitat), as well as how each of these factors affects an organism’s life history, distribution, and abundance.

One of the most important concepts in ecology is habitat loss, which is when a particular type of habitat is destroyed or degraded, making it unsuitable for the plants and animals that live there. Habitat loss can be caused by a variety of factors, including pollution, climate change, deforestation, and over-hunting. As a result of habitat loss, many plant and animal species are becoming endangered or extinct.

Another important concept in ecology is biocontrol, which is the use of living organisms to control the population of other organisms. For example, a biocontrol agent might be used to reduce the population of an insect that is damaging crops. Biocontrol agents can be either naturally occurring or artificially introduced.

Assignment Activity 3: Identify the factors affecting biota in different ecosystems.

The biota in an ecosystem is affected by a variety of factors, including the climate, the physical environment, and the presence or absence of other species. The climate can affect an ecosystem in several ways, including its temperature, precipitation, and light levels. The physical environment can include features such as mountains, rivers, and forests, as well as the type of soil and the amount of water present. The presence or absence of other species can be due to both natural and human-caused factors. For example, a predator might control the population of its prey, while humans might introduce non-native species that disrupt the balance of an ecosystem.

Assignment Activity 4: Describe the physical environment of terrestrial and aquatic systems.

Terrestrial ecosystems are those that occur on land, while aquatic ecosystems occur in water. Aquatic ecosystems can be further divided into marine ecosystems, which occur in salt water, and freshwater ecosystems, which occur in freshwater.

The physical environment of a terrestrial ecosystem is typically characterized by three factors: climate, topography, and soils. The climate in a terrestrial ecosystem can vary depending on the latitude and elevation. The topography includes the features of the land, such as mountains, rivers, and forests, while soils are the materials that make up the surface of the earth.

The physical environment of an aquatic ecosystem is typically influenced by four factors: temperature, light levels, water currents, and salinity. Temperature is the main factor that determines whether an aquatic ecosystem is freshwater or marine. Light levels are important for photosynthesis, while water currents influence the distribution of plants and animals in an ecosystem. Salinity is the amount of salt in water, and it affects how many organisms can live in an ecosystem.

Assignment Activity 5: Carry out basic estimations of population parameters.

Ecologists often need to estimate the population size of a particular species. This can be done by counting the number of individuals in a population or by using a sampling method to calculate an estimate.

When counting the number of individuals in a population, ecologists typically use a random sample of the population. This involves selecting a sample of individuals from the population and then counting the number of individuals in the sample. The sample size can be determined by using a mathematical formula or by using a sampling distribution table.

Once the sample size has been determined, the ecologist can calculate an estimate of the population size by multiplying the sample size by the proportion of individuals in the sample that are of the target species. This calculation is known as the sample mean.

When using a sampling distribution table, the ecologist first needs to determine the standard error of the population. The standard error is a measure of how much the population size varies from one sample to another. Once the standard error has been determined, the ecologist can use the table to find the confidence interval for the population size. The confidence interval is the range of values that includes the true population size with a given level of confidence.

Assignment Activity 6: Identify the major groups of terrestrial, freshwater, and marine invertebrates.

There are several different groups of invertebrates, and they can be divided into three categories: terrestrial, freshwater, and marine.

Terrestrial invertebrates live on land, while freshwater invertebrates live in water. Marine invertebrates live in saltwater, and they can be further divided into two groups: benthic invertebrates and planktonic invertebrates.

Benthic invertebrates live on the bottom of the ocean, while planktonic invertebrates float in the water column. Planktonic invertebrates can be further divided into two groups: phytoplankton and zooplankton. Phytoplankton is photosynthetic, while zooplankton is heterotrophic.

Assignment Activity 7: Use taxonomic identification aids and handle biological samples that have been collected to obtain relevant data from the samples.

Ecologists use taxonomic identification aids to help them identify the different groups of animals and plants in an ecosystem. There are several different identification aids, including dichotomous keys, illustrated guides, and electronic databases.

When using a dichotomous key, the ecologist first needs to determine the characteristics of the organism that they are trying to identify. These characteristics are then used to match the organism with one of the entries in the key. The ecologist then follows the instructions at the entry to identify the organism.

When using an illustrated guide, the ecologist first needs to determine the characteristics of the organism that they are trying to identify. These characteristics are then used to match the organism with one of the illustrations in the guide. The ecologist then follows the instructions in the illustration to identify the organism.

When using an electronic database, the ecologist first needs to determine the characteristics of the organism that they are trying to identify. These characteristics are then used to search for the organism in the database. The ecologist then follows the instructions at the entry to identify the organism.

Assignment Activity 8: Compile, compare and interpret results.

Once the ecologist has collected data from their samples, they need to compile and compare the results. This allows them to see how the different groups of animals and plants are distributed in the ecosystem.

The ecologist can also use the results to make comparisons between different ecosystems. This can help them to understand how the different components of an ecosystem interact with each other.

Finally, the ecologist can use the results to make inferences about the health of the ecosystem. This can help them to identify any changes that may have occurred in the ecosystem and determine whether or not these changes are a cause for concern.

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