Biosphere Integrity (module 8) Flashcards
Identify the control variables and planetary boundaries for biosphere integrity
- Genetic Diversity (extinction rate) - <10 extinctions per million species per year (goal of 1 E/MSY)
- extinction rate: 100-1000 E/MSY
- Functional diversity (BII) - 90% or above
- measured for southern Africa - 84%
Describe how energy moves through the biosphere: where it comes from, where it is transferred, and where it is lost
- Solar Radiation principal source of energy that drives ecological productivity (via photosynthesis)
- autotrophs are capable of photosynthesis, can feed themselves (plants, algae)
- heterotrophs - feed on biomass produced by other organisms (animals, fungi, microbes)
- energy is passed through food chains
- energy is lost as heat with only small percentage being passed onto the next level
- producers <primary consumers< secondary consumers< tertiary consumers< quaternary consumers
Distinguish between ecosystem functions and ecosystem services, and give examples of each
Ecosystem Functions:
- how species interact
- the flow of energy and nutrients
- primary producers (plant growth)
- secondary producers (animal/microbe growth)
- resource storage and movement
- decomposition of material
- how many trophic levels exist
Ecosystem Services:
- providing food, fuel, and water -> provisioning
- flood control, climate regulation -> regulation
- carbon storage, nutrient cycling -> supporting
- recreation, cultural benefits -> cultural
Define biodiversity, and explain how biodiversity enhances ecosystem functions and ecosystem resilience
- amount and diversity of species, genes, and ecosystems
- degree of variation in life
- ecosystem functioning - if a forest has a variety of tree species it is better at fighting climate change
- ecosystem services - more services = more benefits and values
Identify different trophic levels in an ecosystem, and be able to depict them in a food web
Producers -> Primary consumers -> Secondary consumers -> Tertiary consumers -> Quaternary consumers
Define the terms: ecosystem, apex predator, keystone species, niche, and habitat
ecosystem - integrated system composed of a biotic community and its abiotic environment and their dynamic interactions
apex predator - top-level predator with no natural predator of their own, top of the food chain
keystone species - has a disproportionately large effect on its environment compared to its relative abundance
niche - role a species plays in its ecosystem, not only its habitat requirements but also how it acquires energy and nutrients, and how it interacts with other species and non-biotic parts
habitat - physical environment where a species typically lives
Explain what a trophic cascade is
- impact of predator on its prey affects one or more trophic level
- when apex predator is removed, lack of population control at the next trophic level down can affect populations at the trophic level below
ex. wolves in Yellowstone national park - elks main predator was gone = population doubled
- overgrazed entire park (ate grass and shrubs)
- mice and rabbits couldn’t use plants to hide from predators = populations decreased
- bears suffered from lack of berry supply
- pollinators had less flowers
- river banks decreased
- fish inherited murky homes
- beavers couldn’t build dams = fish and otters suffered
- when wolves came back, killed elks, lots of food for other species
- bears increased
- river bank had more trees, less erosion
- more people went to park to see wolves
Describe the five key drivers of biodiversity loss
- Invasive species - cause decline or extinction of native species
- Changes in land and sea use - conversion of land covers such as forests and wetlands for agricultural and urban uses
- Climate Change - affects coral reefs, mountains and polar ecosystems
- Pollution - effects on freshwater and marine habitats, plant and insect populations dwindle
- Direct exploitation of natural resources - unsustainable use of plants and animals can lead to population decline
Explain how a ‘mass extinction’ is defined, and evaluate evidence that suggests that human activities are leading to a 6th mass extinction
Mass extinction = loss of about three quarters of all species across earth over a short geological period of time
- expected mammals 1 every 700 years, observed 1000 every 7 years
- expected amphibians 1/7000 years, observed 45000/7 years
- through hunting and farming we have altered ecosystems
- cutting down forests, species have no where to go
- more CO makes oceans more acidic, things with calcium shells have no where to go
- Guam lost all of its native birds due to snake which snuck on military cargo plane
- Lake Victoria lost fish species due to introduction of Nile perch
- Global warming
Explain what is meant by the 30x30 target adopted in the 2022 Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, and reflect on the ways in which this target may be reached.
- aims to protect and conserver 30% of the planets land and ocean areas by 2030
- establishing protected areas
- restoration of degraded areas
- international cooperation
- monitoring and reporting
Describe some of the physiological effects of increased temperatures on salmon.
- habitat loss
- metabolic stress
- growth and development
- reproduction
- migration disruption
- competition and predation
What are we doing about Biodiversity Loss
- address underlying causes of biodiversity loss by mainstreaming biodiversity across government and society
- reduce direct pressures on biodiversity and promote sustainable use
- improve the status of biodiversity by safeguarding ecosystems, species, and genetic diversity
- enhance the benefits to all from biodiversity and ecosystem services
- enhance implementation through participatory planning, knowledge management and capacity building
