37.22 - 37.33 Excess Inflow of Nutrients and Ecosystem Services Flashcards
Eutrophication
a process by which primary production increases naturally over time because of an accumulation of nutrients from the decomposition of organic matter, fresh influx from the land, human activities, etc.
What nutrients is Eutrophication done with
nitrogen and phosphorous
Why is Eutrophication done with nitrogen and phosphorous?
because they are limiting nutrients
Eutrophication ____ species diversity
lowers
What is an example of Eutrophication
Cyanobacteria replaces algae, which forms a slimy coating on the surface of water, preventing light from penetrating
What can too much cyanobacteria or algae do
decrease oxygen which is bad for some aquatic organisms and birds
Algal Bloom
rapid increase or accumulation in the population of algae in freshwater or marine water systems
Why does cyanobacteria replace algae
Some species of cyanobacteria can fix nitrogen, which gives them an additional advantage when phosphate is the pollutant and nitrogen is scarce
Where is phosphate common in
soil, animal waste, pesticides
How would excessive addition of mineral nutrients to a lake eventually lead to the loss of many fish species?
The nutrients initially cause population explosions of algae and cyanobacteria. Their respiration and that of the decomposers of all the detritus as the algae and cyanobacteria die consume most of the lake’s oxygen, which the fish require.
Ecosystem services
a key component of sustainability; benefits provided to humans by the natural environment
Sustainability
the goal of developing, managing, and conserving Earth’s resources in ways that meet the needs of people today without compromising the ability of future generations to meet theirs
What is another way that nitrogen is fixed
Lightning converts it into ammonium
