Assignment: Environmental Science

In this assignment, you will investigate the biotic and abiotic structure and function of an ecosystem.

Choose one of the following ecosystems:

• Tropical rainforest
• Grassland
• Coral Reef
• Estuary
• Desert

You will write a two to three page APA-style research paper about your choice of ecosystem including:

• Where might this type of ecosystem be located? Give one specific example.

• Describe the structure of the ecosystem: List both the abiotic components and biotic components

• Describe the function of the ecosystem: How do the abiotic and biotic components interact in biogeochemical cycles? Describe both the carbon and nitrogen cycles.

• Describe disturbance and recovery: Describe one natural and one human caused disturbance to the ecosystem. Explain the damage to the ecosystem, including how the abiotic and biotic characteristics of the ecosystem changed.

• Explain how ecosystems recover naturally based on resilience mechanisms and the theory of secondary succession.