Task Name: Phase 1 Individual Project Deliverable Length: 2–3 pages Details: Weekly tasks or assignments (Individual or Group Projects) will be due by Monday. NOTE: All submission posting times are based on midnight Central Time. In this assignment, you

Weekly tasks or assignments (Individual or Group Projects) will be due by Monday. NOTE: All submission posting times are based on midnight Central Time.

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

Choose 1 of the following ecosystems:

• Tropical rainforest
• Grassland
• Coral reef
• Estuary
• Desert

You will write an APA-style research paper of 2–3 pages about your choice of ecosystem, covering the following in your paper:

• Where might this type of ecosystem be located? Give 1 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 1 natural and 1 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.