APES QUESTIONS Flashcards
environmental science includes topics such as:
environmental policy, economics, literature, and ethics
5 environment indicators
-Biodiversity
-Food production
-Average global surface temp & CO2
-Human population
-Resource depletion
How many hectares in an acre?
2.47acre=1hectare
5 basic needs:
Air
Water
Food
Health
Shelter
Scientific Method:
- Question/Problem
- Hypothesis
- Experiment
- Results/Data
- Conclusion
weight vs mass
Weight- gravitational pull
Mass- amount of matter
Mass number=
protons +neutrons
atomic number=
number of protons
ph level-
acidic(0)-neutral(7)-alkaline(14)
energy=
power x time
NPP =
GPP - respiration by producers
Resistance-
how much a disturbance can affect flows of energy and matter in ecosystem
Resilience-
rate at which ecosystem bounces back
Intermediate Disturbance Hypothesis-
states that ecosystems experiencing intermediate levels of disturbance will favor a higher diversity of species than those with high or low disturbance levels
Unequal heating of earth caused by:
-The angle the sun rays strike varies
-The amount of surface area which is distributed varies
-Somes areas reflect more energy than others
The __________ the more solar energy it reflects
higher the albedo
4 properties of air
-Density
-Capacity to contain water vapor
-Response to change in pressure
-Latent heat release
location of convention currents
90 polar
60 Ferell
0 Hadley
photosynthesis equation
H2O + CO2 + Sunlight = O2 + C6H12O6
the total amount of solar energy that producers in an ecosystem capture via photosynthesis over a given amount of time. *1% of the 100%
GPP
the energy captured by producers in an ecosystem minus the producers respire. *1% of the 100%, and 40% goes to NPP. - 60% is lost to respiration
NPP
oligotrophic-
describes a lake with a low level of productivity.
Mesotrophic -
describes a lake with a moderate level of productivity
Eutrophic -
describes a lake with a high level of productivity.
the most important element in living organisms
carbon
7 Processes that Drive the Carbon Cycle:
Photosynthesis
Respiration
Exchange
Sedimentation
Burial
Extraction
Combustion
the orbit of
the earth around the sun causes:
most regions to experience seasonal changes in temperature and precipitation.
Adiabatic cooling:
the cooling effect of reduced pressure on air as it rises higher in the atmosphere and expands
Adiabatic heating:
the heating effect of increased pressure on air as it sinks toward the surface of the earth and decreases in volume
the release of energy when water vapor in the atmosphere condenses into liquid water.
Latent heat release
rain shadow
a region with dry condition found on the leeward side of a mountain range as a result of humid winds from the ocean causing precipitation on the windward side. So basically, one side is rained on, and the other side is completely dry.
Coriolis effect
the deflection of an object’s path due to the rotation of the earth
upwelling-
the upward movement of ocean water toward the surface as a result of diverging currents. The deep waters bring nutrients from the bottom of the ocean that support large populations of producers.
gyre-
a large-scale pattern of water circulation that moves clockwise in the Northern Hemisphere and counterclockwise in the Southern Hemisphere
thermohaline circulation
an oceanic circulation pattern that drives the mixing of surface water and deep water. Climate change could potentially disrupt this phenomenon. DRIVEN BY SALINITY
photic zone-
the upper layer of ocean water in the ocean that receives enough sunlight for photosynthesis.
profundal zone
a region of water where sunlight does not reach, below the limnetic zone are very deep lakes
benthic zone-
muddy bottom of a lake, pond, or ocean
aphotic zone-
the deeper layer of ocean water that lacks sufficient sunlight for photosynthesis. - Chemeostasis happens here
a cold and treeless biome with low-growing vegetation; permafrost
tundra
a forest biome made up primarily of coniferous evergreen trees that can tolerate cold winters and short growing seasons.
boreal forest
a coastal biome typified by moderate temperatures and high precipitation. Logged heavily, soil decomposition is slow due to cold temps
temperate rainforest
a biome with warm summers and cold winters with over 1m (39in) of precipitation annually
temperate seasonal forest
a biome characterized by hot, dry summers and mild, rainy winters. The hot dry summers for the natural occurrence of wildfires, plants are well adapted to both fire and drought
woodland/shrubland
a biome characterized by cold, harsh winters, and hot, dry summers
Temperate grassland/cold desert
a warm and wet biome found between 20° N and 20° S of the equator, with little seasonal temperature variation and high precipitation. Average annual temps exceed 68 degrees
tropical rainforest
a biome marked by warm temperatures and distinct wet and dry seasons.
Tropical seasonal forest/savanna
biome prevailing at approximately 30 N and 30 S, with hot temperatures, extremely dry conditions, and sparse vegetation.
subtropical desert
When humans determine which individuals to breed, typically with preconceived set of traits in mind we call this process evolution by ____________________.
artificial selection
a random change in the genetic code produced by a mistake in the copying process
mutation
a reduction in the genetic diversity of a population caused by a reduction in its size. Caused by inbreeding.
bottleneck effect
new genes a change in the genetic composition of a population as a result of descending from a small number of colonizing individuals
founder effect
the evolution of one species into two, without geographic isolation
Sympatric speciation
Species richness -
the number of species in a given area
Species evenness -
the relative proportion of individuals within the different species in a given area.
the range of abiotic and biotic conditions under which a species actually lives
realized niche
a physical law which states that energy can neither be created nor destroyed but can change from one form to another
first law of thermodynamics
the physical law stating that when energy is transformed, the quality of energy remains the same, but its ability to do work diminishes
second law of thermodynamics
In evolution through ____________________, the environment determines which individuals survive and reproduce
natural selection
2 things that determine a growing season AND limiting factors in biomes:
precipitation and temperature
Difference between genotype and phenotype:
Geno is genetic coding (genetic coding of brown hair)
Pheno is the expressed type (brown hair, green eyes)
Carrying capacity (K)
the limit of how many individuals in a population the environment can sustain.
when 2 species divide a resource based on differences in their behavior morphology.
niche partioning
a pattern of survival over time in which there is high survival throughout most of the life span, but then individuals start to die in large numbers as they approach old age. (humans, mammals)
Type I Survivorship Curve, K selected
a pattern of survival over time in which there is a relatively constant decline in survivorship throughout most of the life span. (squirrels)
Type II Survivorship Curve
a pattern of survival over time in which there is low survivorship early in life with few individuals reaching adulthood. fast reproduction (mice)
Type III Survivorship Curve, r selected
the relationship between two species that live in close association with each other.
symbiotic relationship
benefits species 1, does not affect species 2, example is a birds nest and tree
commensalism relationship
an interaction between two species that increases the chance of survival or reproduction for both species
mutualistic relationship
species 1 lives on species 2 and species one benefits while species two is negatively affected
parasitic relationship
a species that is not very abundant but has large effects on an ecological community.
keystone species
a theory that demonstrates the duel importance of habitat size and distance in determining species richness
Theory of Island biogeography
4 phases of population growth:
phase 1: slow population growth, high CBR and high CDR,
phase 2: rapid population growth, high CBR ad low CDR,
phase 3: stable population growth, low CBR and low CDR,
phase 4: declining population growth, low CBR and high CDR
the theory that as a country moves from a subsistence economy to industrialization and increased affluence it undergoes a predictable shift in population growth.
theory of demographic transition
a measure of the value of all products and services produced in 1 year in 1 country
Gross Domestic Product
an estimate of the average number of children that each woman in a population will bear throughout her child-bearing year
Total Fertility Rate (TFR)
the number of births per 1,000 individuals per year
crude birth rate (CBR)
the number of deaths per 1,000 individuals per year
crude death rate (CDR)
IPAT equation
impact = population x affluence x technology
Urban populations represent __ of the human population but consume __ of Earth’s resources
½
¾
rule of 70
the number of years it will take for a population to double if the growth rate stays the same, doubling time (years)- 70/% growth rate
logistic growth model
does not account for independent factors, only dependable on limiting resources, s-shaped curve
oscillating model
overshoots then die-offs, there is enough resources then more pop so not enough so they die off
exponential growth model
minimal deaths, cannot be sustained forever, limiting resourcs are always there; ideal
things that you dont pay for, could be beneficial or negative
externalities
a shared resource that becomes depleted after too much overuse
tragedy of the commons
Maximum Sustainable Yield
the max amount renewable can be used in order for them to still be available for future generations
He wrote the A Sand County Almanac in 1949, he paved the way for how we use land today.
Aldo Leopold
Public lands in the US include:
rangelands, national forests, national parks, national wildlife refuges, and wilderness areas
managed for protection, scientific, educational, and recreation(tourism) use, and sometimes for their beauty or unique landforms
national parks
open for the sustained use of biological, mineral, and recreational resources
Managed Resource Protected Areas
to maintain biological communities and other purposes
Habitat or Species Management Areas
established to ONLY protect species and ecosystems
Strict Nature Reserves & Wilderness Areas
combine the nondestructive use of natural resources with opportunities for tourism and recreation (beaches,orchards, villages)
Protected Landscapes and Seascapes
set aside to protect unique sites of special natural or cultural interest
National Monuments
grazing, mining, timber and recreation
BLM
timber, grazing and recreation
USFA
recreation and conservation
NPS
wildlife conservation, hunting, and recreation
FWS
a dry open grassland primarily used for grazing cattle
rangeland
a method of harvesting trees that involves removing all or almost all of the trees within an area
clear-cutting
Increases wind and water erosion due to the loss of nutrients and soil, without trees sunlight is able to reach the water faster and increase temperature, more prone to mudslides
clear-cutting
removes single trees or a relatively small number of trees from the larger forest
selective cutting
tries to have the smallest impact on the environment, uses no machinery but human labor or horse drawn carriages. The costs and time make it difficult to use this as a common method
Ecologically Sustainable Forestry
often destroy many habitats, trees never fully develop due to the contant planting, the soil may become depleted of important nutrients if too many planting and harvesting cycles occur
Logging, Deforestation, and Reforestation
a fire deliberately set under controlled conditions in order to reduce the accumulation of dead biomass on a forest floor
Helps reudce the risk of uncontrolled natural fires
prescribed burn
Human impacts on national parks:
destroy habitats, air pollution, noise pollution, fragmentation to environments
The _________________________ mandates an environmental assessment of all projects involving federal money or federal permits
1969 National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA)
NEPA ACT states:
-environmental impact statement
-environmental mitigation plan
-endangered species act of 1973
you have to show the effects your project will have on the environment
Environmental impact statement
what you plan to do to fix your effects or not cause as much damage
Environmental Mitigation Plan
if there’s any endangered species in the developing area, you are not allowed to develop in that area
Endangered species Act of 1973
4 main causes of Urban Sprawl:
Costs- It is cheaper to live in the country than the city.
Highway construction- roads are starting to be paved and developed.
Urban Blight- When the taxes were so high in the city, people moved out of the city. The poor people left in the city were heavily texted.
Government Policies- The government policies are not as strict as they are in the city.
The highway trust fund-
comes from gas taxes and pays for construction and repairing of roads
specifically tells you what you can do with land
zoning laws
used to help boast the economy, “low risk” loans that encouraged people to buy houses
Federal Housing Administration (FHA)
10 Smart Growth Principles
Mixed land use
Different types of housing
Walkable neighborhoods
Collaboration w community and builders
Compact building
Strong sense of place
Preserve Open space
Transportation
Direct development of existing communities
Make development decisions predictable and fair
having adequate access to food
food security
we have enough food but we don’t have access
food access
not having adequate needed nutrients
malnutrition
Eating lower on the food chain-
is more energy efficient, you are not losing any energy
Energy subsidy-
is a ratio of calories produced/ calories used
a shift in agricultural practices in the 12th century that included new management techniques, mechanization, fertilization, irrigation, and improved crop varieties, that resulted in increased food output
Green Revolution
helps us get water to plants, biut can destroy ecosystems, and contribute to waterlogging, salinization, saltwater intrusion
irrigation
When the little pore spaces in soil are all full of water, no air, roots must have air to survive.
water logging
Salt stays behind when water evaporates. Ocean life is the only thing that survives in the saltiness.
salinization
a body of permeable rock which can contain or transmit groundwater.
aquifers
When salt water comes into wells and aquifers. Cannot be used
saltwater intrusion
targets specific needs instead of having to spray the whole field
synthetic fertilizers (produced commercially)
made from organic matter, not super chemically concentrated, takes more applications, not as potent as a commercially made fertilizer
organic fertilizers(natural)
cheaper, super efficient, produces a lot of one crop at a time, allows us to have enough food for all the people in the world.
monocropping
drawback of monocropping
one insect can come and wipe off a whole crop species, can suck out all the nutrients, overharvest
a substance, either natural or synthetic, that kills or controls organisms that people consider pests
pesticide
a pesticide that kills many different types of pest
broadspectrum
a pesticide that targets a narrow range of organisms: narrow-spectrum pesticide
selective
takes months to years to break down
persistant
can take weeks to break down
nonpersistant
________ regulates pesticides use
EPA
GMO-
genetically modified organisms
Benefits of GMO:
greater yields, more yields on less land, increase profits, can make them disease resistant, can make them pest resistance
Drawbacks of GMO
people can take things to far by genetically modifying everything
______ regulates gmos
USDA
CAFO
large amount of species, less amount of space
drawbacks of CAFOS:
Seen as inhumane, animals are caged, sickness spreads faster, manure overflows the CAFO and overflows into water and ground, antibiotic use.
Free Range
more space needed, animals get to move around
When we overfish, and causes the species to decline over 10%
fishery collapse
catching fish you do not mean to catch
bycatch
species you were not intending to kill
non-target species
the feeding of herds of animals by moving them to seasonally productive feeding grounds, often over long distances
nomadic grazing
an agricultural method in which land is cleared and used for a few years until the soil is depleted of nutrients
shifting agriculture
fulfills the need for food and fiber while enhancing the quality of the soil, minimizing the use of nonrenewable resources, and allowing economic viability for the farmer. leaving enough resources for future generations
sustainable agriculture
sustainable agriculture
-More labor intensive
-More expensive
-Organic
an agricultural methods in which two or more crop species are planted in the same field at the same time to promote a synergistic interaction
intercropping
an agricultural method in which farmers do not turn the soil between seasons as a means of reducing topsoil erosion
NoTill
uses a variety of techniques designed to minimize pesticide inputs
Integrated Pest Management
Five basic principles of organic agriculture
Sustainability
Avoid synthetic chemicals
Maintains the soil
Keep organic matter and nutrients
Reduce adverse effects of industrial agriculture.
Adverse effects of organic agriculture:
Food prices are high, chemicals are applied more often, more labor, less likely to use no till since pesticides are used for no till
Sustainable Fishery Act of 1966 implemented
Transferable transferable quotas- you get a certain amount of quotas to use per person, you are allowed to sell them but only a certain amount are available for everyone
Aquaculture-
where we grow things in water
