A Interactions and Ecosystems, Stopped At P. 26 Flashcards
What do living things have in common? List four needs.
- need food
- need suitable habitat
- need water
- need to exchange gases
ecologist
a scientist who studies interactions in the environment
adaptations
changes made to fit the surroundings
Are adaptations inherited/instinctive or learned?
both
ecosystem
- interactions between living and non-living things in a particular environment
- an area where living things interact with other living and non-living things
symbiosis
two different species live together and at least one of these species benefits from the relationship
Whenever different living things live closely together where the relationship may benefit one or both living things
There are three types of symbiosis: mutualism, parasitism, and commensalism
mutualism
symbiosis where both species benefit
- goby fish and snapping shrimp (shrimp builds a sand burrow and allows the goby fish to share the burrow. The shrimp is almost blind so it always has a feeler on the goby. The goby warns the shrimp when danger is approaching by a flick of its fins and both retreat into the burrow)
- humans and gut bacteria
- bees and flowers (bees get nectar and pollen, flowers get pollinated so they can reproduce)
- clownfish and anenome
- ants and aphids
- lichen (fungi and algae)
- woolly bat and pitcher plant
parasitism
symbiosis where one species benefits but the other is harmed
- mosquito bites you to get blood to help give it energy to make eggs and you get an itchy lump
- tick harms dog or cat by feeding on the blood
- hookworm harms human
- aphid harms plant
- cuckoo steals another bird’s nest
- leaches harm humans (though historically they did use leaches for medical treatment, so humans harm leaches)
- humans harm most living things though unless it is alive while being harmed for a long duration, it would usually be a predator-prey relationship
commensalism
symbiosis where one species benefits while the other is not affected (neither benefits nor is harmed)
- epiphytes get sunlight and nutrients by living on host plant
- birds trail army ants to eat fleeing insects
- orchid on a tree: orchids live by attaching themselves to the branches of a tree so that the orchid can get sunlight while the tree is not harmed nor does the tree get any benefit
- barnacles find food and whale is unnafected
natural resources
stuff found in nature that people use to meet basic needs
How has gathering food in Alberta changed over time?
buffalo were hunted, then mixed farms were used (livestock and crops), then feedlots
Essentially none of these methods truly will work when the population of humans is greater.
The amount of people we have on our planet means that we must stop eating animals or dramatically reduce our consumption of them. Eating plants takes less resources and is one of the best things you can do for your environment. This promotes cleaner air since less forests need to be cut down to make the food for the farm animals, and instead humans can directly get their food from primary sources. Energy is lost through consumption of food, so it is best to avoid secondary food sources. There are plenty of ways of eating less meat, and in fact most people who eat less meat have less health problems.
So hopefully in the future we can move away from all three methods outlined above and move to plant-based diets so that everyone can enjoy greater health, cleaner air, and more biodiversity.
need vs. want
need is essential to survival
want is something that improves quality of life but you would survive without it
needs of living things
- food (that contains nutrients)
- air (oxygen)
- water (cannot be polluted)
- shelter (appropriate to their environment, a suitable habitat)
Is our want more important than the needs of animals?
No, if you believe that all beings are worth the same.
If you think that humans are better than all other beings, then maybe you might be a predator.
ecology
the study of how organisms interact with each other
biotic
living
biotic factors = living things
abiotic
non-living
habitat
the place a biotic thing grows and where it lives
adapted
well-suited
why do organisms adapt?
to help them survive
host
has a parasite that feeds off it
Ecosystems have what two components?
biotic and abiotic are the two components
ecosystems are about the interactions between these types of components: biotic to biotic, and biotic to abiotic
biota
noun meaning the biotic (living) community
abiotic components (definition)
physical environment such as site or habitat
six abiotic components
macroclimate
microclimate
physiography
water in soil
air in soil
nutrients in soil
macroclimate
general climate of a large area such as the climate of a continent or large county
microclimate
small local region having a unique pattern of weather effects from the local climate
physiography
physical geography: the study of physical features of the Earth’s surface
- the form of land and parent material
edaphic
of or relating to the soil
edaphic factor of water
how much water is in the soil
edaphic factor of air
how much air is in the soil (like oxygen, nitrogen)
edaphic factor of nutrients
how many and what type of nutrients are in the soil
niche
role of an organism within an ecosystem
the thing or organism is known for in terms of what it eats, where it lives, and how it interacts
What are the three main things you must study to determine an organism’s niche?
- what it eats
- where it lives
- how it interacts
Can an organism have more than one niche?
yes
What are the components of a niche?
- producers
- consumers
- decomposers
- living environment
- interactions between all three
What are the three types of consumers?
- herbivores
- carnivores
- omnivores
What are herbivores?
- eat only producers, never eat consumers, or mainly eat plants
(eat plants)
- moose, elephants, grasshoppers, humans (some of them)
What are carnivores?
- eat other consumers, never eat producers or very rarely eat producers
(a predator eats prey; they may do the killing or steal from another animal that kills the prey for them) - cats, hyenas, seals, praying mantises can be examples of this though some species will be known to eat a greater quantity of plants and thus would not be seen as a carnivore if they in particular eat mainly plants
- there is increasing research into lab-made food where animals who need nutrients from other animals are now able to get those same nutrients without needing to catch their own prey
What are omnivores?
- eat both producers and consumers
(the balance can vary, but if they currently eat any consumers purposefully, they are in this catergory rather than the herbivore category)
What is the Standard American Diet
- eating refined and processed foods (usually about 2/3 of the diet)
- eating consumers about 1/4 of the time
- eating plants about 1/10 of the time
Is a person following the Standard American Diet a herbivore, carnivore, or omnivore?
omnivore
What is the carnivore diet?
- eating only consumers, like a carnivore
- high in saturated fat and cholesterol
- leads to many health problems in humans such as increased risk of heart disease
What is a plant-based diet?
- eating only producers, like a herbivore
- can include a variety of sub-diets, some of which are restrictive and others which are not (for example, some people will try to limit oil, but oil is plant based and is allowed in the general plant-eating only people)
- people who follow a plant-based diet have healthy amounts of cholesterol in their blood tests given that they have been following it for some time
- lowers risk of some cancers, diabetes, and heart disease
What is a healthy diet?
A diet that gives you adequate nutrition in order to have your body function correctly over the short and long-term.
A diet that does not introduce or limits the introduction of elements that are known to cause health problems.
To determine if a diet is healthy we must look at quantity eaten (not too little, not too much) and have nutrient dense foods so that adequate nutrients are available.
Are humans producers or consumers?
consumers
Are humans herbivores, omnivores, or carnivores?
Most humans have chosen to be omnivores, and can survive this way. There is increased research showing that humans in prehistoric times were eating mostly plants, but now and again may have a small animal because that was what was available. This makes them omnivores, but closer to herbivore than carnivore.
Humans are best suited to eating plants if you look at their jaw hinge and other factors. The jaw is designed similar to herbivores where it can move side to side.
What is a predator?
- living organism that eats prey (animals lower on the food chain)
What is prey
- living organism that gets eaten by a predator
What is a food chain?
- model that shows how energy stored in food passes from organism to organism
What is energy flow?
- movement of energy from the sun, through each organism in the food chain
Is energy lost when it passes from one organism to the next?
Yes, energy is lost to the surroundings in the form of heat
How can we ensure that we efficiently get the most energy possible?
- eat products that are in shorter food chains so that less energy from the sun is going into producing huge food chains
How many organisms are usually in a food chain?
The minimum is two, but three is more common since the food chain will start with a producer, then at least one consumer, then a decomposer. There are food chains with just a producer and a decomposer.
When humans eat animals they force the food chain to include two consumers, which makes the food chain at least four organisms long: producer, consumer, consumer, decomposer
What is a food web?
- combination of food chains usually showing the ecosystem, but could exclude a few organisms for simplicity
What is a food pyramid?
Shows the number of organisms consumed at each successive level of the pyramid
What is a primary consumer?
a herbivore
What is a secondary consumer?
an organism that eats herbivores
What is a tertiary consumer?
An organism that eats omnivores or carnivores
What is biomass?
Total mass of the biotic organisms in an ecosystem
The higher you go up the food pyramid, what happens to biomass?
The biomass decreases since energy is lost to the surroundings
What are decomposers?
Organisms that grow on or in the dead or waste matter, absorbing nutrients that can be later used by plants to grow
Examples include bacteria, fungi, and worms such as red wigglers (the worms used in indoor composting)
What are scavengers?
Organisms that feed on dead or decaying plant or animal matter such as magpies and wolverines
What are some major cycles that happen on Earth?
- carbon cycle
- water cycle
- nitrogren cycle
Make sure you can label diagrams of the carbon cycle and water cycle as given to you in class
answers vary
water cycle: evaporation, condensation, precipitation
carbon cycle: carbon dioxide, oxygen (photosynthesis and cellular respiration, also carbon dioxide released from industrial activities)
How does pollution occur?
When substances are added to the environement that cannot be broken down quickly enough to return back to a non-damaging form
What are pollutants?
substances that cause pollution such as:
- sulfer, and nitrogen at high levels in the air mixing with water to cause acid rain
- carbon dioxide from burning fossil fuels
bioaccumulation
pollutants accumulate as they are passed up the food chain, so the longer the food chain, the more pollutants are in that top organism.
- mercury in fish is an example
species
- living things of the same species are able to reproduce and have young that are also able to reproduce
population
a number of individuals from the same species living together in the same area
community
- all the populations of different species that live and interact in the same place
What do all living things need?
- water
- food / nutrients
- energy
- oxygen
- suitable living conditions
adaptation
how organisms respond to their environment
consumer
any organism that has to seek out and eat or consume other living things for food
all animals are consumers
What is photosynthesis?
light energy + carbon dioxide + water –> sugars and starches + oxygen
converts the sun’s energy into chemical energy in plants and stores it in the form of sugars and starches
your body can use this stored energy when you eat plants
people who choose to eat animals can get some of this energy too but it is not an efficent process since the energy has to go through the animal first and some energy is lost to heat and work to move the animal
What is cellular respiration?
sugars and starches + oxygen –> energy + carbon dioxide + water
Nearly all living things need oxygen to release the energy that is stored in their food
This is a chemical reaction that occurs within the cells of all living things
Some decomposers can be very helpful. How is baker’s yeast helpful?
Bakers yeast feeds on sugars and in the process gives off carbon dioxide that allows pastries to rise.
How is Escherichia coli (E. coli) helpful?
This bacteria is found in your large intestine and breaks down the food you eat for their own food. In the process they make several vitamins that your body needs to stay healthy.
How is E. coli bacteria 0157:H7 harmful?
A form of E. coli found usually in cows and their milk (but can be found in food products such as apple juice) that release toxic chemicals when they break down food causing food poisoning.
bioinvasion
species introduction where the introduced species is usually stronger than the native plants with no natural enemies so they take over and stop other native species from thriving
competition
living things compete for food, water, and space to live
resources are scarce so competition occurs
pioneer species
the first species that arrive
succession
predictable pattern of change in ecosystems
primary succession
occurs in areas where no life exists due to an absese of soil
climax community
a stable community of a diverse number of species that is not easily replaced by other communities
secondary succession
when a community has been destroyed or disturbed by natural occurrences or human activities, secondary succession is what happens to fix this disturbance
These habitats previously supported life
extinct
a species no longer exists anywhere on Earth
endangered
organisms that are so rare that they are in serious danger of becoming extinct
threatened species
species whose numbers are declining
ecological footprint
looks at the food, housing, transportation, consumer goods, and all the services we use every day to calculate how much energy, materials, and land we need
How can you lower your ecological footprint?
Reducing the amount of water, energy, and materials we consume and recylcing the waste we produce
This can be done by eating more plants and less meat, since meat production takes a lot of water and energy.
What is an ecosystem?
An area where living things interact with other living and non-living things.
What commonality do a wolf, a rabbit, and a human have in a winter camping trip scenario?
They are all part of an ecosystem.
What will you learn about in this unit regarding living things?
How all living things are related and depend on each other.
What aspects of ecosystems will be covered in this unit?
How ecosystems work and are maintained, and why that is important for the well-being of Earth.
What impact can human actions have on Earth?
Both positive and negative ways.
What was created in Alberta thanks to the efforts of concerned organizations and individuals?
A new wetland.
Fill in the blank: An ecosystem includes interactions between _______ and _______ things.
[living] and [non-living]
True or False: Ecosystems only consist of living things.
False
What is Frank Lake?
A wetland created just east of High River, Alberta
Who is responsible for the creation of Frank Lake?
Ducks Unlimited, a national non-profit conservation organization
What transformation did Frank Lake undergo?
It changed from a shallow lake that disappeared in dry summers to a wetland with year-round water
What is the primary focus of Ducks Unlimited?
To restore, improve, and preserve habitats critical for ducks and migrating waterfowl
What percentage of ducks surveyed in North America during spring are found in Alberta?
20%
Why is Frank Lake an important location for birds?
It serves as a stopover spot and breeding ground for ducks, geese, and shorebirds
What human actions were needed to make Frank Lake a wetland?
Finding a source of water through a partnership with a local meat-packing plant
How is water sourced for Frank Lake?
Wastewater from the meat-packing plant is treated and piped from High River to Frank Lake
What is continuously monitored at Frank Lake?
Water levels and water quality
What happens to water input during dry, hot years at Frank Lake?
More water can be piped into the lake
What happens to water input during wet periods at Frank Lake?
Less water is required
What provides a habitat for amphibians, fish, and plants in southwestern Alberta?
Frank Lake
Frank Lake also supports rare birds like the peregrine falcon and trumpeter swan.
Which rare birds are mentioned as inhabiting Frank Lake?
- Peregrine falcon
- Trumpeter swan
These species are part of the rich biodiversity supported by the lake.
What additional purpose does Frank Lake serve for local farmers?
Grazing area for cattle
Local farmers utilize the land around the lake for grazing their cattle.
Who is Jerry Brunen?
An area manager for Ducks Unlimited
He provides insights on the importance of Frank Lake.
What is the significance of Frank Lake according to Jerry Brunen?
It is once again the most important wetland in southwestern Alberta.
This highlights the ecological value of the lake.
True or False: Frank Lake is a dry habitat that does not support wildlife.
False
Frank Lake provides a rich habitat for various species.
Fill in the blank: Frank Lake provides a rich wildlife viewing area for _______.
local naturalists
This aspect emphasizes the recreational and educational value of the lake.
What is an ecosystem?
Any place on Earth where living things interact with other living and non-living things.
What are biotic factors?
The living things that are part of an ecosystem.
What are abiotic factors?
The non-living things that are part of an ecosystem.
What does the prefix ‘bio-‘ in biotic refer to?
Life.
What does the prefix ‘a-‘ in abiotic mean?
Not.
Can ecosystems vary in size? True or False?
True.
Give an example of a large ecosystem.
Ocean or desert.
Give an example of a small ecosystem.
Puddle or rotting log.
What is necessary for making informed decisions about environmental issues?
Scientific knowledge and exploration.
Fill in the blank: The environment is composed of a wide variety of _______ and non-living things.
living.
What sensations might you experience in a natural setting?
Variety of plants, animals, smells, and sounds.
What are biotic factors?
Living things in an ecosystem
Examples include plants, animals, and microorganisms.
What are abiotic factors?
Non-living components of an ecosystem
Examples include water, air, soil, and temperature.
List three examples of biotic factors found in a schoolyard.
- plants
- animals
- microorganisms
List three examples of abiotic factors found in a schoolyard.
- water
- air
- soil
Fill in the blank: All biotic factors need ______.
[water]
Fill in the blank: Vines use the gate to grow ______.
[up]
True or False: All biotic factors require air to survive.
True
What role does water play for biotic factors?
It is essential for their survival.
Describe the interaction between vines and the metal gate.
Vines use the gate to grow up.
What is the relationship between bluejays and their nests?
Bluejays live in nests.
How do spiders utilize their webs?
Spiders live in webs.
Identify one living factor and one non-living factor in a schoolyard.
- Living factor: students
- Non-living factor: stone steps
What should you consider when analyzing interactions in your schoolyard?
The relationships between abiotic and biotic factors.
What is an ecosystem?
An ecosystem is the area where all the living and non-living things within a community interact.
Ecosystems consist of various species and their physical environment.
Define a population in ecological terms.
A population is a group of individuals from the same species living together in the same area.
Populations can vary in size and density.
What is a community in ecology?
A community is formed by all the populations of different species that live and interact in the same place.
Communities can include plants, animals, and microorganisms.
How do individuals of the same species typically reproduce?
Living things of the same species reproduce and have young that are also able to reproduce.
The young usually resemble their parents.
What is the relationship between species and populations?
Individuals of the same species form a population, while multiple populations of different species create a community.
Each population interacts with other populations in the community.
Fill in the blank: A group of individuals from the same species living together is called a _______.
population
Fill in the blank: All the populations of various living things that live together in an area form a _______.
community
True or False: Ecosystems only include living things.
False
Ecosystems include both living (biotic) and non-living (abiotic) components.
Give an example of a species mentioned in the content.
Picea glauca
This is a species of tree referenced in the text.
What can be inferred about populations of the same species in different areas?
They form separate populations.
This highlights the concept of geographical distribution of species.
What role do young individuals play in a population?
They are able to reproduce, continuing the species’ existence.
This is crucial for the survival and genetic diversity of the species.
What do living things need in order to survive?
Living things need water, food, and energy
An ecosystem must meet the needs of the living things that are present in it.
What percentage of the Earth’s surface is covered with water?
About three-quarters
Water is essential for life and makes up the majority of all living things.
What is the water composition of the human body?
About two-thirds
Water is crucial for survival and is a major component of living organisms.
What is the water content of a head of lettuce?
About nine-tenths or more
This illustrates the importance of water in plant life.
What do living things need food for?
For the nutrients it provides
Nutrients include carbohydrates, fats, proteins, vitamins, and minerals.
List the types of nutrients needed for survival.
- Carbohydrates
- Fats
- Proteins
- Vitamins
- Minerals
These substances supply energy and materials for growth and repair.
What is the role of energy in living organisms?
Energy is needed for movement, growth, digestion, and organ function
Energy is essential for all bodily functions, even at rest.
True or False: You need energy even when you’re sitting still.
True
Energy is required for basic bodily functions like heartbeat and respiration.
Fill in the blank: Life cannot exist without _______.
water
Water is a fundamental requirement for all living organisms.
Where do living things get the energy they need to survive?
From food
The source of energy varies among different organisms.
What do chemical reactions in your body use to break down food?
Oxygen
These reactions provide energy for survival.
Which living things need oxygen to survive?
Animals, plants, fungi, and bacteria
With only a few exceptions, all living things require oxygen.
Where do living things in water get their oxygen?
From the water
Aquatic organisms often extract dissolved oxygen from water.
What temperatures can certain kinds of microscopic bacteria and algae thrive in?
Up to 85°C
These organisms can survive in extreme environments such as hot springs.
What is the lowest temperature at which some life exists?
-90°C
This temperature is found in places like the Antarctic.
What kind of conditions do most living things prefer?
Moderate range of temperatures
Most organisms thrive in more stable environments.
What do living things often build to provide safety and comfort?
Shelters
Different species construct various types of shelters to protect themselves.
What kinds of shelters do people build?
Houses, apartments, tents, cabins
Human shelters vary greatly based on environment and culture.
What kinds of shelters do other animals build?
Nests, burrows, dens, hives
Animals create shelters suited to their habitat and needs.
True or False: All living things can survive in extreme conditions.
False
While some can, most prefer moderate conditions.
What must an ecosystem do for the organisms living in it?
An ecosystem must meet the needs of the organisms living in it.
What are basic needs for survival?
Basic needs for survival include essentials such as food, water, shelter, and air.
Illustrate how basic needs for survival are met in your own life
Create a labelled picture showing how your basic needs are fulfilled.
Identify three things in your life that you could do without and still meet your basic needs.
Examples include:
* Luxury items
* Certain electronic devices
* Non-essential clothing.
True or False: An ecosystem does not need to meet the needs of its organisms.
False
What are dust mites known to eat?
Dust from hair, flakes of skin, and clothes
Dust mites live in bedrooms and feed on organic matter.
Give an example of a symbiotic relationship involving clown fish.
Clown fish live unharmed among the stinging tentacles of sea anemones
This provides protection from predators for the clown fish.
What is the significance of interactions among living things?
Interactions are important for the survival of most organisms
They facilitate essential processes in ecosystems.
What is symbiosis?
A relationship where different living things live closely together, benefiting one or both
Symbiotic relationships can take various forms.
List the three major types of symbiotic relationships.
- Commensalism
- Mutualism
- Parasitism
Each type of relationship has different impacts on the species involved.
What characterizes commensalism?
One species benefits while the other neither benefits nor is harmed
Example: Orchids benefit from trees without affecting them.
How do certain plants benefit from fungi?
Some plants grow best in soil with a particular type of fungus
The fungus may enhance nutrient absorption for the plants.
What do birds do in their symbiotic relationship with cattle?
Birds eat insects off the backs of cattle
Cattle stir up more insects, providing an easy food source for the birds.
Fill in the blank: Symbiosis can benefit _______ or both species involved.
one
In some cases, both species may gain advantages.
True or False: In parasitism, one species benefits at the expense of the other.
True
Parasitism is a harmful relationship for one of the species involved.
What is mutualism?
A relationship in which both species in the relationship benefit.
Example: The relationship between goby fish and snapping shrimp.
Provide an example of mutualism.
The relationship between the goby fish and snapping shrimp.
The shrimp builds a sand burrow and allows the goby fish to share it.
How does the goby fish help the snapping shrimp?
By warning the shrimp of danger with a flick of its fins.
The shrimp is almost blind and relies on the goby for alerts.
What is parasitism?
A relationship in which one species benefits while the other species is harmed.
An example is a mosquito biting a human.
What happens to a human during parasitism by a mosquito?
The mosquito sucks blood to make its eggs, leaving an itchy lump.
This illustrates the harmful effect of parasitism.
Fill in the blank: In mutualism, both species _______.
benefit
Fill in the blank: In parasitism, one species benefits while the other is _______.
harmed
What is adaptation in the context of living organisms?
Adaptation is how organisms respond to their environment
What determines which species will survive and produce offspring?
Only those species that are best suited to their environment will survive and produce offspring
What happens to the successful characteristics in a population over generations?
Successful characteristics will be more common in the population over time
How do organisms change their behavior and physical characteristics?
Changes occur to make them better adapted to their environment
Can living things choose how they will change?
No, living things cannot choose how they will change
What is the role of offspring in the process of adaptation?
Offspring that inherit successful characteristics continue to reproduce
Fill in the blank: Only those species that are best suited to their _______ will survive and produce offspring.
[environment]
True or False: Living things decide to develop characteristics that will allow them to live successfully in their environment.
False
What are some adaptations of the great blue heron mentioned in the text?
Sharp beak, long neck, long legs
What is the relationship between adaptation and the challenges of the environment?
Living things have changed in many ways to meet the challenges of their environment
What has caused the death of more than 100,000 toads each year in England?
Cars travelling on the highways
This significant number highlights the impact of roadways on wildlife.
What solution has been implemented to protect toads in England?
Special toad tunnels built under the roads
These tunnels allow safe passage for toads across busy highways.
How many toads can the tunnels in England accommodate per hour?
About 200 toads per hour
This capacity is designed to help mitigate toad mortality rates.
What is one example of a human impact on ecosystems mentioned in the text?
Declining beaver population in Yoho National Park
This case illustrates unintended consequences of human interventions.
What change in fire management practices occurred in Yoho National Park?
Fires are almost non-existent now due to efficient fire-monitoring and firefighting teams
This shift was intended to protect wildlife and the park.
What was the effect of reduced forest fires on tree growth in Yoho National Park?
Trees in the park have grown larger
The absence of fires allows for unchecked growth, affecting other species.
Why is the young aspen tree significant for the beaver population?
It is the preferred food and shelter for beavers
The decline in light due to larger trees limits aspen growth.
What unintended consequence resulted from the decision to put out all fires in Yoho National Park?
The beaver population has declined due to lack of food and shelter
This highlights the complexity of ecosystem management.
True or False: The beaver population in Yoho National Park is currently higher than it was 100 years ago.
False
The population is significantly lower than it was a century ago.
What is the primary impact of humans on ecosystems?
Humans have a bigger impact on ecosystems than any other living things.
What unique ability do humans have compared to other species regarding ecosystems?
No other species inhabits as many different ecosystems.
How does technology influence waste production?
Technology has affected the amount and type of waste we produce.
What type of waste material was historically produced by humans?
Long ago, all waste material could be broken down to be returned to the environment.
What materials do we use today that cannot be broken down?
Materials like plastic.
What were garbage disposal methods in the past?
Garbage was commonly poured into large pits called ‘dumps.’
What are some characteristics of dumps?
- Smelly
- Unattractive
- Sometimes catch fire
- Pollute the air with smoke
What environmental risks are associated with dumps?
Rainwater often washes dangerous chemicals and disease-causing bacteria from the dumps into local water systems.
What questions should be considered regarding waste products?
How have our needs and wants affected the types of garbage we produce? What has been done to clean up our act?
Fill in the blank: As long as there have been people on the planet, they have produced _______.
[waste material]
What are some methods we use to clean up waste?
Recycling, composting, incinerating, household hazardous waste operations, and sanitary landfills.
What materials are typically handled in recycling?
Paper products, clear glass bottles, metal cans, aluminum foil containers, and some plastics.
Describe the process of recycling.
Materials are separated, sorted, crushed, compacted, and then bundled for transport to various industries for reprocessing.
How are wastes managed in sanitary landfills?
Wastes are spread across the ground and compacted into layers 0.5 m thick, covered with soil to reduce odours and discourage animals.
What is the primary difference between landfills and sanitary landfills?
Sanitary landfills are designed not to leak, while regular landfills can leak.
What features are included in the design of a sanitary landfill to prevent leakage?
A clay liner and a system of pipes.
What types of waste do both landfills and sanitary landfills handle?
Solid wastes from municipal, residential, and industrial sources.
True or False: Sanitary landfills are less environmentally friendly than regular landfills.
False
Fill in the blank: Sanitary landfills are a more _______ way of dealing with our garbage problem.
environmentally friendly
What is a recommended activity for learning about waste management in your community?
Find out how your community deals with household waste and what happens to it.
