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ARHOLIADAU EXAMINATIONS
SEMESTER 2 EXAMINATIONS 2012
INSTITUTE OF BIOLOGICAL ENVIRONMENTAL AND RURAL SCIENCES
BS24810 AQUATIC AND TERRESTRIAL MICROBIAL ECOLOGY
TIME ALLOWED: TWO HOURS
Answer THREE questions.
1. Describe, and provide examples of, the processes involved in biofilm formation.
2. How does climate change influence biogeochemical cycles in the oceans?
3. How has the application of DNA barcoding technology contributed to our
understanding of microbial biodiversity?
4. How has extensive use of inorganic nitrogen fertilisers by humans altered the
global nitrogen cycle?
5. Discuss the ways in which rates of decomposer activity can be measured in
terrestrial ecosystems.
6. Discuss how decomposer (microbial and soil animal) activity changes through the
upper (organic) soil horizons (L, F1, F2, H) and the role played by the different
processes of decomposition in these layers.
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