Ecology Advanced

Level: 3

Requirements

1. Have the Ecology Honor
2. State the first and second rules of thermodynamics and explain how they are important to ecology.
3. Explain the three basic trophic (feeding) levels and give a good example of a plant or animal for each.
4. Explain or diagram the three types of ecological pyramids in the food web. Give an example of each layer of the pyramid.
5. Define biogeochemical cycle and explain or diagram all the basic components the cycle passes through.
6. Diagram or explain the basic steps in the flow of energy through the biotic environment (element) of an ecosystem. Begin with the sun.
7. Explain Liebig’s Law of the minimum and Shelford’s Law of tolerance, and state how these laws tell us how and why certain plants and animals become endangered or are eliminated when their habitat or community gets disturbed orout of balance.
8. Choose a biological community in your area such as a forest or woods, a swamp, lake or pond, pasture or meadow grassland, a canyon or creek woods, etc., that is disturbed or ecologically out of balance in some way. Make a description of it, including how and to what extent it is disturbed. Then make recommendations as to how the community could be improved, and where possible follow through and help to improve it in some way.
9. Spend a minimum of 20 hours doing active productive work on an ecology project in your area. This may be done individually or as a group. Describe the project in general but report specifically on your part in it.
10. Define: community, raw materials, photosynthesis, chemosynthesis, autotrophy, heterotrophy, ecological balance, saprobe, decomposer, producer, consumer, limited factor.

NOTE: These requirements may be expressed either verbally or in writing to a youth leader. An instructor is recommended but not required for this honor. Counsel with your youth leader or instructor before beginning requirements 8 and 9.