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Praxis (5236) - Biology > 5A4 Humans and Ecosystems > Flashcards

5A4 Humans and Ecosystems Flashcards

Describe human impacts on ecosystem health and steps for damage repair.

1
Q

What is an ecosystem?

A

It consists of the living and non-living things that interact with one another in a particular location.

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2
Q

What is a balanced ecosystem?

A

It exists when all elements are in harmony and stability.

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3
Q

Define an unbalanced ecosystem.

A

When the stability of an ecosystem is disrupted by natural or human disturbances.

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4
Q

What are natural disturbances?

A

Disturbances with natural causes, such as weather, geological forces, or biological changes that can do damage to an ecosystem.

Effects are usually temporary and the ecosystem will eventually recover.

Examples Include:

  • Fires
  • Floods
  • Diseases
  • Severe storms
  • Insects
  • Volcanic activity
  • Earthquakes
  • Droughts
  • Long-term freezing
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5
Q

What are human disturbances?

A

Disturbances caused by people, such as chemical pollution and urbanization.

Examples include:

  • Deforestation
  • Mining
  • Light or noise pollution
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6
Q

How do human disturbances affect ecosystems?

A

They can introduce non-native species, disrupt ecosystems, and cause pollution and climate change, placing undue pressure on ecosystems to adapt.

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7
Q

What are the three categories of habitat destruction caused by human activities?

A
  • Destruction
  • Degradation
  • Fragmentation

Destruction: Occurs when the ecosystem is completely transformed over a short period of time.

Degradation: Human activities cause gradual loss of wild species.

Fragmentation: Artificial barriers are placed in an ecosystem preventing the movement of organism.

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8
Q

What are the causes of habitat destruction by human activities?

A
  • Conversion of land for agriculture and livestock.
  • Infrastructure development.
  • Urbanization.
  • Harvesting of natural resources.
  • Industrial installations.
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9
Q

What are the effects of animal habitat loss?

A
  • Loss of vegetal cover.
  • Displacement of species.
  • Uncontrolled reproduction of exotic species.
  • Climate change impacts.
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10
Q

What are effects of habitat destruction?

A
  • Alters populations of species of flora and fauna.
  • Causes loss of biodiversity.
  • Increases pollution.
  • Influences Earth’s climate change.
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11
Q

What is pollution?

A

The act of a harmful or damaging substance being released into the environment.

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12
Q

What are the five recognized categories of pollution?

A
  • Air
  • Land
  • Water
  • Noise
  • Light
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13
Q

Define physical pollution.

A

When materials or objects are introduced into the environment, causing toxicity or harm.

Primary type of physical pollution is litter.

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14
Q

Define chemical pollution.

A

Any harmful chemical being released into the soil, air, or water by humans.

Examples include:

  • Mercury
  • Volatile organic compounds (VOCs)
  • Carbon Monoxide
  • Sulfur Dioxide
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15
Q

Define biological pollution.

A

Substances derived from nature that cause human harm.

Example- pollen.

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16
Q

What is biological pollution of water?

A

The buildup of biologically derived substances in water, such as bacteria or fungus.

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17
Q

What is environmental pollution?

A

Anything released into the environment that can cause harm.

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18
Q

What is acid precipitation?

A

Precipitation that has increased in acidity caused by environmental factors and can cause damage to buildings and living creatures over time.

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19
Q

What are the main culprits in the formation of acid precipitation?

A

Sulfuric and nitric acids.

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20
Q

How can acid precipitation affect human health?

A

Exposure to acid precipitation can cause bronchitis, pneumonia, asthma, and may contribute to Alzheimer’s disease.

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21
Q

What is the ozone layer?

A

A protective gaseous layer in the atmosphere.

Human life on Earth is made possible in part by the ozone layer.

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22
Q

How is the ozone layer protective?

A

It plays an important part in filtering the sun’s radiation.

Without the ozone layer, the UV rays from the sun would be too strong for human and plant life to thrive.

The sun’s radiation is known as ultraviolet (UV) rays.

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23
Q

What are some potential health risks associated with too much exposure to UV rays?

A
  • Sunburn
  • Skin cancer
  • Glaucoma
24
Q

What is the chemical composition of ozone?

A

Three oxygen atoms.

(O-O-O)

This is reflected as 𝑂3.

25
Where is the **ozone layer located**?
About **10-30 miles from Earth's surface** in the stratosphere. ## Footnote 90% of the Earths ozone is found here.
26
How is **ozone distributed globally** in the stratosphere?
* Lower densities near the tropics. * Higher densities as you travel toward higher latitudes near the poles.
27
What can **destroy atmospheric ozone**?
Reactions with **chloro-fluoro-carbons (CFCs)** or nitrogen dioxide (NO2).
28
How long do **CFCs** remain in the atmosphere?
About 30-150 years.
29
Is ozone harmful?
Yes ## Footnote Too much ozone is harmful to the human body leading to increased respiratory issues, cancer, etc.
30
What can ozone gas near a factory create in the air?
Smog
31
What is a good way to **assess ozone levels** and other environmental pollutants before going outside?
Checking the **EPA Air Quality Index**. | (AQI)
32
What is the goal of the **Montreal Protocol**?
To **reduce CFC production** by at least 50%. ## Footnote Use and production of CFCs has decreased by 95% since the 1980s.
33
What is **climate change**?
Rising temperatures on Earth and changes in weather patterns due to a combination of human activity, pollution, fossil fuel use, and the clearing of forests.
34
What are some examples of the **effects of climate change**?
* Increases in ocean temperatures. * Reduction in ice sheets found in the Antarctic and Greenland. * Rising ocean levels. * Loss of biodiversity.
35
What is the **greenhouse effect**?
A natural process essential for maintaining warmth on the planet.
36
What are **greenhouse gases**?
* Fluorinated gases * Methane * Carbon dioxide * Nitrous oxide
37
What has led to a **significant increase in greenhouse gases** trapped in the Earth's atmosphere?
Human activity and the use of fossil fuels such as coal, natural gas, and oil.
38
What is **global warming**?
Refers to the **increases in temperature** observed on Earth since the start of the Industrial Revolution during the mid-nineteenth century, representing a long-term warming trend primarily attributed to human activities such as the use of fossil fuels. ## Footnote In the past 40 years alone, temperatures on Earth have increased by 2°F or 1°C.
39
What are some of the negative effects of global warming.
* 2°F or 1°C increase in global temperatures. * Melting of polar ice caps and glaciers. * Extinction of various plant and animal species due to habitat loss. * Increases in natural disasters and the strength of storms. * Nearly 7-inch increase in sea levels over the past 100 years.
40
What is the process called when carbon dioxide dissolves in seawater and **forms carbonic acid, lowering the pH of the seawater**?
Ocean acidification ## Footnote The natural pH of the ocean is approximately 8.2.
41
What is the ocean's role in the **carbon cycle**?
A **sink** for atmospheric carbon dioxide. ## Footnote Atmospheric carbon dioxide is absorbed by the ocean.
42
What is the ocean's way of regaining equilibrium when more carbonic acid and H+ ions are formed due to increased carbon dioxide dissolved in seawater?
Dissolving the calcium carbonate in the shells of sea creatures therefore weakening their shells.
43
What is an **introduced species**?
Also called alien species, they are those that have been **moved by humans to an environment where they didn't occur naturally**. ## Footnote Introduction of a species can be accidental or deliberate. Examples: * Dogs * Brown Rats * Loosestrife-eating beetle
44
What are some reasons for **deliberate** species introduction by humans?
* Conservation efforts. * Population control of native species. * Boosting agriculture and fisheries. * Human enjoyment.
45
What are some ways of **accidental** introductions of species?
* Black rat spreading through ship cellars. * Species introduced through water discharged by cruise ships and tankers. * Species stuck to travelers' clothes and shoes. * Species introduced in imported wood and food.
46
What makes a species invasive?
* Introduced to an environment unnaturally, typically by humans. * Causes harm to the host environment. * Typically competes with or completely outcompetes native species for resources like food, space, or water. * Can be harmful to the economy, environment, and human health. ## Footnote Examples of invasive species include: * Lionsfish * Zebra Mussels * Quagga Mussels * Purple loosestrife
47
What is one of the most **important solutions** to the invasive species problem?
**Preventing** the introduction of new invasive species into the environment.
48
What is **overconsumption**?
The use of a region's resources to such an extent that they **cease to be replenishable** and eventually run out. ## Footnote These resources can include food, water, natural minerals, natural gas, and clean air. An example of overconsumption is the consistently increasing human need to consume oil and natural gas. If the rate continues to increase, eventually the Earth's supply of oil and natural gas will run out and not be available to anyone.
49
What is an **ecological footprint**?
Refers to how much of an impact a particular organism has on the ecosystem in which it lives.
50
What is **environmental remediation**?
Refers to the processes involved in **reducing contaminants in the environment**. ## Footnote This includes air, water, and soil contaminants.
51
What are the **benefits** of environmental remediation?
* Improvements in human health. * Enhanced water systems. * Increased land productivity. * Effective pollution control. * Overall ecosystem health.
52
What is one method of environmental remediation that involves **allowing forests to regrow**?
Reforestation ## Footnote This occurs when efforts are put in place to allow forests to regrow, either by replanting or setting restrictions to prevent complete removal.
53
What is a **movement corridor** in the context of environmental remediation?
An area that **connects isolated wildlife habitats** to allow inhabitants to move between areas and provide necessary resources.
54
How do **captive breeding programs** contribute to environmental remediation?
They create controlled environments to **preserve species facing decline or extinction**, helping to increase populations and balance ecosystems.
55
What is **biotechnology's** role in environmental remediation?
The use of molecular biology can aid in the removal of contaminants and provide insights into environmental processes.

Praxis (5236) - Biology (39 decks)

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