Based on my analysis of the ecology concept map, I can now fill in the blanks with appropriate ecological terms:
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Blank I: This box is connected to "births" and "deaths" and leads to "Population." In ecology, the change in population size due to births and deaths is called
population growth rate or simply
growth. Given that blank II appears to be about growth patterns, blank I is likely
growth rate.
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Blank II: This box is connected to "logistic" and "exponential" growth patterns, which are types of
population growth. So this blank should be filled with
growth.
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Blank III: This box is connected to "conservation" and "restoration," which are activities related to
ecosystem management. So this blank should be filled with
management.
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Blank IV: This box is connected to "nutrient cycling" and "energy flow," which are fundamental
ecosystem processes. So this blank should be filled with
processes.
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Blank V: This box is connected to "unidirectional," which describes the nature of energy flow in ecosystems (energy flows in one direction, from sun to producers to consumers, and is not recycled). So this blank should be filled with
flow.
Therefore, the completed concept map should have:
- I: Growth rate
- II: Growth
- III: Management
- IV: Processes
- V: Flow
This completes the solution to the problem presented in the ecology concept map.
Parent Tip: Review the logic above to help your child master the concept of ecosystems concept map worksheet.