ECOSYSTEM (HABITABLE PLANET) LAB

Rainforest

 

1. What is the function of the Center for Tropical Forest Science (CTFS)?

CTFS studies the rain forests of the world in an attempt to understand how they function and how(if) they will continue to do so.

 

2. Why are the trees given the title of “engineers” of the tropical rain forest?

The trees are referred to as "engineers" because they provide the structure of the forest itself (being made of trees and all), and they provide the habitat that all the forests inhabitants depend on for survival.

 

3. Why does a high-density species suffer greater mortality rates than rare density species?

High-density species tend to attract an equally dense population of pests (or predators depending on the situation). Basically being prominent and yummy makes you a target for all kinds of things.

 

4. Why do tropical rainforests have such immense diversity? How do they maintain their diversity?

Assuming I followed the information correctly, rainforest diversity is rooted in the need to take any opportunity to fill a niche (and thus live). If conditions are cramped, survival of any species (especially younger ones) is centered around specialization and their ability to "get what they can" so to speak. Rainforests maintain their diversity through a combination of super mobile pollinates, and (it's theorized in the video) the plants themselves may be self fertile. This type of pollination is likely what allows all the plants with miniscule populations to continue to exist.

 

5. What role do tropical forests play in stabilizing climate and atmosphere?

The rainforests play a huge role in our climate and atmosphere. Local and reaching weather conditions (temperature and precipitation) are both directly linked to the existence of the rainforests. Also, these forests play a huge role in making all that CO2 business into breathable O2 for most life to enjoy. In fact they are a lot of what is currently mitigating some of our ridiculous assorted gasses and keeping us in business (by business I mean not going hand and hand into oblivion as a species).

 

Yellowstone National Park

 

6. What is the focus of Robert Crabtree’s research project in Yellowstone National Park?

Crabtree's research in Yellowstone in dedicated to investigating the cascading effect of the park's eco system in light of the (relatively) recent re-introduction of wolves into the wild populous.

 

7. What was the cascade effect of the elimination of the Park’s wolf population after 1926? Consider the following in your answer: willow, beaver, and elk populations.

According to the information presented: After the elimination of the wolves in 1926, the elk population soared, which affected the availability of veg to other populations that needed it (like the beavers).

 

8. Food chains and webs can be shaped from the “top down” or from the “bottom up.” Which of these two categories best describes the wolf reintroduction project of 1995 and 1996?

The reintroduction of wolves to Yellowstone is best described as a top down change. The people responsible for their introduction hope to affect the numbers and behaviors of the top herbivores, and thus create a more stable vegetation base for other populations of animals.

 

9. What are the “hot spots“ in Yellowstone and how are they important to the wolf reintroduction research project?

Hot spots are regions of heavy diversity due to their heavy vegetation and water supply. In fact, they provide the food for the majority of animals in the area; without which, the wolves would have nothing to eat.

 

10. How can the data from a tropical rainforest that explains species diversity and abundance be helpful in managing and protecting temperate forests such as those in Yellowstone National Park or any other ecosystem on earth?

 In my opinion, both the Yellowstone and rainforest segments hit on the same general topic: Diversity is important, and that importance shouldn't be underestimated. If you over populate one thing, you could wind up with a co-overpopulation of something else entirely that could really mess things up. If you add or remove some element of a food chain, you can basically kiss the old ecosystem of the area goodbye (no matter how great your intentions are the second time around). Nature seems like a big tough force to be reckoned with, but it's not, it's really fragile; and should probably be left alone as much as possible (especially in light of just how much sway we have over it).

11. Sketch or represent in some way the pyramid of energy flow for willows, beavers, elk, and wolves in Yellowstone National Park. Label the percent of high quality energy that persists at each level.

Yes, I really did spend an embarrassing amount of time on this:

 

Original Photo Links, and thank you for their noncommercial / educational use under the GPL:

Willow Wolf Elk Beaver