Concepts of Environment, natural & Anthropogenic biomes, Land Cover Change, Ecosystem Structure & Dynamics, Biodiversity Loss, Climate Change & Sustainability Flashcards
Environment
Living & non-living elements of the earth’s atmosphere and surface.
Includes human changes to the Earth’s surface (croplands, planted forests, buildings and roads)
How much of earth’s surface has been altered by human activity?
75%
Natural Biomes
Community of lifeforms adapted to large natural areas.
- Have not been altered by sustained human interactions.
What are the 5 categories of biomes?
Grasslands, tundra, forests, deserts and aquatic
Climate is the key determinant to…
the classification of biomes, influenced by factors such as latitude.
Anthropogenic Biomes
Results of sustained direct human interactions with ecosystems
What are Anthropogenic Biomes also referred to as?
Human Biomes and anthromes
What are major anthropogenic biomes?
urban, rural or villages, croplands and range lands
They are the results of sustained human actions like population growth that results in the conversion of forested areas for urban or agricultural uses, therefore changing natural ecosystems and environments.
Land Cover Change
Changes that have taken place in natural environments due to a variety of natural and/or human-induced causes
Natural causes of land cover change
Cyclones, bushfires, tsunamis (basically natural disasters)
Human-induced causes of land cover change
Agriculture, urban areas or industry purposes (mining or forestry)
What are 4 key processes of land cover change
Deforestation, expansion and intensification of agriculture, growth of urban settlement and mining
What is the structure of an ecosystem made up of?
Biotic and abiotic elements, with a hierarchy of organisms - trophic levels: producers, consumers and detritus.
There are relationships between bio and abio elements that include the flow of energy between the elements (foodchains)
Abiotic
(Non-living) elements that consist of climatic features (sunlight & humidity), inorganic substances (water), & organic substances (protein)
Autotrophic Organisms
(Producers) convert solar energy into chemical energy which can be stored for later use.
Heterotrophic Organisms
(Consumers) reliant on other organisms for nutrients & categorised as herbivores & carnivores
Decomposers
Heterotrophic organisms which breakdown dead organic matter and waste matter (e.g. fungi are decomposers)
Ecosystems are made up of 4 components:
Abiotic
Autotrophic Organisms
Heterotrophic organisms
Decomposers
Biodiversity Loss
Extinction of species worldwide & local reduction or loss of species in a certain habitat
Why is biodiversity loss an issue? Can it be caused by natural or human processes?
A loss in the variety of life can lead to a breakdown in the functioning of ecosystems = further ecosystem decline/collapse.
Can be caused by both natural & human processes.
Amphibian example of loss of biodiversity
Amphibians have the highest rate of endangerment. IUCN estimates that up to 41% of all known amphibian species are at risk of extinction. Current extinction rate may be anywhere from 25,000 to 45,000 times the background extinction rate.
Climate Change
Long-term change in the statistical distribution of weather patterns over period of time that range from decades to millions of years.
(may be change in the average weather condition or a change in the distribution of weather events w/respect to an average)
Greenhouse Emission example of climate change
Since 1980- greenhouse emissions have doubled = 0.7℃ global temp increase.
This increase has effects on the environment = sea level rise, biodiversity loss & increase in both occurrence and strength of natural hazards
Sustainability
Meeting the needs of current and future generations through simultaneous environmental, social and economic adaptation and improvement.
What must be sustainable for anthropogenic biomes to thrive?
Surrounding natural environemtns
Example of sustainability
Adapting power generation strategies to ensure the protection of the environment while maintaining a benefit to people in terms of economic growth and standard of living.
Example of sustainability 2
Marine fish stocks:
Currently, 60% of fisheries are being harvested at the maximum sustainable level.
Other strategies for sustainability
Protecting biodiversity & natural waterways, reducing pollution in the atmosphere, improving standard of living, services and amenities and ensuring economic viability and growth
