describe four different network
topologies (architectures)
1. Bus Topology (Architecture:
A single central cable (bus)
connects all devices (nodes) in
the network.)
Compare P and K cycling in an
ecosystem and highlight the
differences
Can internal ecosystem nitrogen
cycling meet the nitrogen Phosphorus:
requirements to supply plant
growth? gained through weathering
of rocks
2. Star Topology (Architecture: Yes, internal N cycling, through tied to decomposition
All devices are connected to a processes like decomposition, easily lost through erosion
central hub or switch. The hub mineralization, and plant and leaching
acts as a central point for uptake, provides most of the
communication.) nitrogen for plant growth. Kalium/ Potassium:
However, it may not always be gained from weathering of
sufficient in nitrogen-limited minerals
ecosystems, where external lost due to logging
inputs like biological N
fixation or fertilizers are P-cycling is mainly controlled
crucial by living organisms, while K-
cycling depends more on non-
3. Ring Topology (Architecture: living processes like rock
Devices are connected in a breakdown (weathering).
circular configuration, with each
device connected to two other
devices).
4. Mesh Topology
(Architecture: Every device is
connected directly to every other
device in the network, either
partially or fully.)
, Define network mean trophic
level and its relationships with
connectance
(MTL) average trophic position
of all species or nodes in an
ecological network
Explain the life-history-trade-off
model of succession
Higher connectance reduces Explain the direct species Focus: Species traits like
distinct trophic levels, interaction model of succession dispersal, growth, and survival
High connectance= species (3) Facilitation-tolerande- drive succession.
interact with multiple other inhibition model Stages:
species across different trophic
levels (e.g., omnivores feeding Facilitation (+/+): Early species Primary Colonizers:
on both plants and herbivores). improve conditions for later Disperse well, tolerate
This blurs the clear species (e.g., soil enrichment). harsh conditions, grow
separation between producers, Tolerance (o/o): Later species slowly.
herbivores, and predators are unaffected by earlier ones Secondary Colonizers:
because energy flows in more but outcompete them over time. Rapid growth, high seed
complex patterns. Inhibition (-/-): Early species production, early
As a result, it becomes prevent later species from reproduction.
harder to categorize species into establishing unless disturbed. Climax Species: Slow-
distinct trophic levels. growing, high competition
-> Lower Connectance Leads ability, long lifespan.
to Clearer Trophic
Hierarchies,
low connectance= species
have fewer interactions
This creates a hierarchical
structure where distinct trophic
levels are clearly identifiable,
from primary producers to apex
predators.
, Explain three possible How are humans affecting NEP? How are soil recourses modified
relationships between ecosystem (3) during early and progressive
productivity and species succession?
richness, give also the
CO2-Emissions
mechanism that give rise to Early Succession:
these scenario Land use changes
(deforestation..), Increase in soil organic
disturbances (logging, matter.
fires...) Initial nitrogen
nitrogen deposition accumulation (via
(fertilizers...) nitrogen-fixing species).
1. Positive linear relationship
Low phosphorus
Mechanism: availability.
having many
resources reduce Progressive Succession:
competition for Higher organic matter and
survival, allowing microbial activity.
more species to Nutrient availability
coexist.
stabilizes or declines in
Habitat
retrogression.
heterogeneity may
increase with
productivity,
providing more
niches.
2. Hump-shaped (unimodal)
Mechanism:
At low productivity,
limited resources
restrict the number
of species.
At moderate
productivity,
resources increase,
promoting niche
specialization and
coexistence.
At high
productivity,
competitive
exclusion occurs as
a few dominant
species outcompete
others, reducing
richness.
e.g. in ponds
3. Negative relationship
Mechanism:
High productivity
leads to resource
monopolization by a
few dominant
species.
Homogenization of
the environment
reduces niche
availability.
topologies (architectures)
1. Bus Topology (Architecture:
A single central cable (bus)
connects all devices (nodes) in
the network.)
Compare P and K cycling in an
ecosystem and highlight the
differences
Can internal ecosystem nitrogen
cycling meet the nitrogen Phosphorus:
requirements to supply plant
growth? gained through weathering
of rocks
2. Star Topology (Architecture: Yes, internal N cycling, through tied to decomposition
All devices are connected to a processes like decomposition, easily lost through erosion
central hub or switch. The hub mineralization, and plant and leaching
acts as a central point for uptake, provides most of the
communication.) nitrogen for plant growth. Kalium/ Potassium:
However, it may not always be gained from weathering of
sufficient in nitrogen-limited minerals
ecosystems, where external lost due to logging
inputs like biological N
fixation or fertilizers are P-cycling is mainly controlled
crucial by living organisms, while K-
cycling depends more on non-
3. Ring Topology (Architecture: living processes like rock
Devices are connected in a breakdown (weathering).
circular configuration, with each
device connected to two other
devices).
4. Mesh Topology
(Architecture: Every device is
connected directly to every other
device in the network, either
partially or fully.)
, Define network mean trophic
level and its relationships with
connectance
(MTL) average trophic position
of all species or nodes in an
ecological network
Explain the life-history-trade-off
model of succession
Higher connectance reduces Explain the direct species Focus: Species traits like
distinct trophic levels, interaction model of succession dispersal, growth, and survival
High connectance= species (3) Facilitation-tolerande- drive succession.
interact with multiple other inhibition model Stages:
species across different trophic
levels (e.g., omnivores feeding Facilitation (+/+): Early species Primary Colonizers:
on both plants and herbivores). improve conditions for later Disperse well, tolerate
This blurs the clear species (e.g., soil enrichment). harsh conditions, grow
separation between producers, Tolerance (o/o): Later species slowly.
herbivores, and predators are unaffected by earlier ones Secondary Colonizers:
because energy flows in more but outcompete them over time. Rapid growth, high seed
complex patterns. Inhibition (-/-): Early species production, early
As a result, it becomes prevent later species from reproduction.
harder to categorize species into establishing unless disturbed. Climax Species: Slow-
distinct trophic levels. growing, high competition
-> Lower Connectance Leads ability, long lifespan.
to Clearer Trophic
Hierarchies,
low connectance= species
have fewer interactions
This creates a hierarchical
structure where distinct trophic
levels are clearly identifiable,
from primary producers to apex
predators.
, Explain three possible How are humans affecting NEP? How are soil recourses modified
relationships between ecosystem (3) during early and progressive
productivity and species succession?
richness, give also the
CO2-Emissions
mechanism that give rise to Early Succession:
these scenario Land use changes
(deforestation..), Increase in soil organic
disturbances (logging, matter.
fires...) Initial nitrogen
nitrogen deposition accumulation (via
(fertilizers...) nitrogen-fixing species).
1. Positive linear relationship
Low phosphorus
Mechanism: availability.
having many
resources reduce Progressive Succession:
competition for Higher organic matter and
survival, allowing microbial activity.
more species to Nutrient availability
coexist.
stabilizes or declines in
Habitat
retrogression.
heterogeneity may
increase with
productivity,
providing more
niches.
2. Hump-shaped (unimodal)
Mechanism:
At low productivity,
limited resources
restrict the number
of species.
At moderate
productivity,
resources increase,
promoting niche
specialization and
coexistence.
At high
productivity,
competitive
exclusion occurs as
a few dominant
species outcompete
others, reducing
richness.
e.g. in ponds
3. Negative relationship
Mechanism:
High productivity
leads to resource
monopolization by a
few dominant
species.
Homogenization of
the environment
reduces niche
availability.
