NATURAL HISTORY EXAM #1 STUDY GUIDE – Fall 2015 BRING A SCANTRON 882-­‐ES AND No. 2 PENCIL TOPICS TO BE COVERED: Introduction to natural history and ecology ; the physical environment -­‐ geomorphology, soils, hydrology, climate, oceanography; biomes of the world; biological communities of southern california: terrestrial environments, marine and neashore environments ASSOCIATED READING: • Geology Basics handout • POINT LOMA Ch. 1-­‐5 (skim 1, emphasize 2, 3, 4, 5) • Starr & Taggart, Ecology & Behavior: “The Biosphere” LABS TO STUDY -­‐ minerals, rocks, fossils labs, Mount Soledad/Tourmaline Surf Park Field Trip HOMEWORK TO STUDY – anything assigned prior to the exam The following is a list of questions emphasizing key lecture and lab topics that you should know. If you can answer these questions then you are well prepared for the exam. I will be happy to assist you with these questions and give you feedback in class, after class, or in my office, but I do not provide an answer key per se (that is, the lecture and lab notes and reading are the answer key). Introduction to Natural History and Ecology 1. What is natural history? 2. Define “ecology.” 3. What are biotic factors? 4. What are abiotic factors? 5. What is a population? 6. What is a biological community? 7. What is an ecosystem? Geology & Soils (see Geology Basics handout) 1. What is magma? 2. What is the lithosphere? 3. What is a rock? 4. What factors are important in determining rock type? 5. Discuss the various factors shaped the earth’s surface as we know it. 6. Describe the rock cycle. (see image below) a.
Compare and contrast various types of igneous rocks. b.
What are the three subtypes of sedimentary rock and how is each formed? c.
Metamorphic rocks are formed by subjecting other primary rock types to _____ and/or _____. 7. Explain the difference between external and internal earth shaping processes. 8. What causes volcanoes? Earthquakes? 9. What is “plate tectonics?” What evidence supports this scientific theory? 10. How fast do tectonic plates move? 11. Describe divergent plate boundaries, convergent plate boundaries, subduction zones, and transform boundaries (faults) 12. Name the major fault shaping southern California and the one shaping San Diego County (see field trip worksheet). 13. What two types of sedimentary rocks did you see at Tourmaline Surf Park? 14. Explain why the geomorphology of San Diego has an important influence on San Diego’s biological communities. THE ROCK CYCLE 15.
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What is the rhizosphere? Describe how soil is formed. Name and describe the characteristics of each horizon (layer) of a soil profile. Describe the cycling of minerals between living organisms and soil. What is the role of decomposers? Which are the primary decomposer organisms? What three particles sizes are used to classify soil texture? Discuss how soil texture influences water availability. How do soils vary with respect to regional climates and why. Additional terms: weathering, erosion, deposition, topography, microclimate, convection currents, humus, topsoil, litter, subsoil, parent material