Anthropogenic Disturbances Flashcards
Physical Effects of Climate Change
Change of atmospheric heat, rearrangement of current systems, ocean warming, melting of glaciers and sea ice
Biological Effects of Climate Change
Stress on marine organisms and even ecosystems like coral reefs, rearrangements of strong community interactions, and loss of ecologically important species
Ocean Acidification
The addition of excess carbon dioxide to the oceans causes the acidification of oceans, which has negative physiological effects for all species but especially for those that rely upon producing calcified skeletons
Multi-decadal Oscillations
A major pattern observed throughout the world’s oceans // A fluctuation in air pressure characteristics, wind systems, sea-surface temperature, or other weather features // Occur on the scale of a few years to a decade
Climate Oscillations
Irregular alternations between coupled atmosphere-oceanic states that result in changes of wind systems, oceanic currents, and regional climate
El Nino-Southern Oscillation (ENSO)
A major alternation of atmospheric pressure between the western and central-eastern tropical Pacific, helps to change wind systems and then surface oceanic currents, which might eventually trigger vertical movements like upwelling
North Atlantic Oscillation
Periodic shift of atmospheric pressure in the North Atlantic Ocean
Positive NAO Index
When the difference in atmospheric pressure is strong // Westerly winds are enhanced and the eastern Atlantic and Europe have cool summers and mild winters // Strong storms track eastward
Negative NAO Index
When the difference in atmospheric pressure is weak // the Mediterranean experiences more precipitation and storms across the North Atlantic are very weak
Arctic Oscillation Index
Reflects pressure shifts throughout much of the Northern Hemisphere, and is strongly correlated with the NAO Index
Positive Arctic Oscillation
Polar region surface pressure is relatively low, a jet stream confined to the north keeps frigid Arctic air to very high latitudes
Negative Arctic Oscillation
Polar surface pressure is higher, which causes a shift of frigid air southward to middle northern latitudes
Pacific Decadal Oscillation
Shifts phases every 20 to 30 years, with warm waters found above 20 degrees N latitude in either the eastern or western Pacific Ocean // drives strong biological fluctuations
Examples of Human Agents of Disturbance
The direct effects of an oil spill, habitat damage by bottom fishing on the seabed, trampling across the seashore, eutrophication of sea basins, discharge of toxic substances
Drivers of Human Disturbance
1) human population fluctuations 2) resource use 3) technological developments 4) social organization and culture
Overexploitation
For food, pet trade, medicinal use, pearls, ambergris (perfume), collagens, lithium, manganese nodules
Earth Overshoot Day
The day in which we’ve used up all Earth can sustainably produce, everything after is a deficit, borrowing against the future
Climate Forcers
Physical processes that affect Earth’s climate; can be solar (so how much light reaches Earth) and orbital (so tilt and orbit changes that can cause ice ages and interglacials)
orbital is millennial scale // solar is century scale
Radiative Climate Forcers
Occurs when the balance of how much energy Earth radiates back into space compared to how much Earth absorbs is upset
Negative Radiative Forcing
More heat leaves the planet
Positive Radiative Forcing
More heat is absorbed by the planet
Anthropogenic Climate Change
Human activities amplify positive radiative forcing, which increases global warming (caused by increased greenhouse gasses and land alteration/deforestation
Anthropogenic Threats to Water Temperatures
Urbanization, reservoirs/dams/other construction, loss of trees and shade by water, and climate change
Top Threats Overview
Climate change, exploitation, habitat loss/degradation, invasive species (huge issue in freshwater systems), pollution
