APES Quiz 1 (1.2, 1.3, 1.4) Flashcards
tragedy of the commons
When a shared resource is overexploited or degraded due to the collective and unregulated actions of individuals, each pursuing their self-interest. As no one entity or individual has ownership over the resource, individuals have an incentive to maximize their personal gains without considering the long-term sustainability of the resource. This leads to a situation where the resource becomes depleted or degraded, ultimately harming everyone who depends on it.
clearcutting
Clearcutting is a method of harvesting trees that involves removing all or almost all of the trees within an area. While clearcutting is often economically advantageous, it leads to soil erosion, increased soil and stream temperatures, and flooding. Additionally, forests contain trees that absorb pollutants and store carbon dioxide. The cutting and burning of trees releases carbon dioxide and contributes to climate change.
ecosystem services
Ecosystem services are services nature provides to humans at no cost. Ecosystem services arise from the normal functioning of natural systems, and are not intended for our benefit, but without them, we could not survive. When we deforest areas, we diminish nature’s ability to provide these vital services to us.
there are 4 kinds:
1. provisioning services
2. regulating services
3. supporting services
4. cultural services
provisioning services
refers to the direct products obtained from an ecosystem like food, water, and timber
Examples: Fishing, harvesting timber, collecting fruits, drinking water
Key point: These are the direct products humans extract from an ecosystem
regulating services
refers to the benefits derived from the ecosystem’s ability to regulate processes like climate or water quality
Examples: Carbon sequestration, flood control, air purification, pollination
Key point: These are the benefits derived from the ecosystem’s ability to regulate environmental processes
supporting services
refers to the underlying processes that enable other ecosystem services to exist, like nutrient cycling
Examples: Soil formation, nutrient cycling, photosynthesis
Key point: These are the underlying processes that make other ecosystem services possible
cultural services
refers to the non-material benefits people receive from an ecosystem like aesthetic appreciation, recreation, and spiritual fulfillment
Examples: Hiking, wildlife viewing, aesthetic appreciation, traditional knowledge
Key point: These are the non-material benefits people gain from interacting with an ecosystem
primary productivity
the rate at which solar energy (sunlight) is converted into organic compounds (sugar, aka glucose) via photosynthesis over time.
gross primary productivity
how much photosynthesis is taking place in a given area (the more trees, the more photosynthesis).
net primary productivity
how much energy can move up the food chain.
species richness
the total number of different species present in a given ecosystem
biodiversity
how many different species live in an area at a given time
genetic diversity
how many different genes are available in the gene pool.
habitat fragmentation
when a habitat is broken apart and reduced by a disturbance (like a forest broken apart by clearcutting, as seen in the pict).
symbiosis
a close and long-term interaction between two species in an ecosystem. Types of symbiosis include mutualism, commensalism, and parasitism.
