Cycle 11 (Workshop) Flashcards
Define:
Anthropocene
The current geological age in which human activity has been the DOMINANT influence on climate and the environment
State examples of human influence on Anthropocene
- Deforestation of the Amazon Rainforest: Massive loss of habitat and oxygen producing species, disrupted ecosystems
- Gold Mining: Destruction of previous environment, significant water pollution, displacement of animals
- Fossil Fuels: Used as source of energy
- Agriculture: Monoculture, habitat loss, loss of plants which take up CO2
Define:
“Tipping Point”
A mark set at 1.5 Degree Celsius increase
What is acknowledged as the start of the Anthropocene?
The Industrial Revolution
What example is used to show the effects of the industrial revolution?
Moths
* In areas of industrial growth, there were hardly any white moths found
* Conversely, forests with no pollution still had white moths
* DEMONSTRATES: ADAPTATION
Describe:
Sex Determination
Where temperature determines the distribution of sexes in a population
Give an example of:
Sex Determination
Turtles
* If temperatures are smaller than 27.7 degrees Celsius, they are males
* If temperatures are greater than 31 degrees Celsius, they are females
How does temperature affect univoltine species? Use the burrowing example
Mortality increases if temperatures continue to increase
* Can burrow into the soil to cool down, but takes up energy
* Amount of energy needed is soil and temperature dependent
How does temperature change affect Natural Selection and Individual Variability?
- Individual variability for thermal tolerance exists
- Population density can impact the influence of natural selection
- More dense populations can have larger numbers of individuals with higher thermal tolerance
What must be taken into account to determine the effect of selection?
Population size
Describe how increase temperatures affect:
The Cucumber Plant
Increasing temperature will cause the cucumber plant to have:
* Smaller flower size
* Bigger target
* Same bullseye area
* Less nectar and pollen
What else will be affect alongside the cucumber plant in increasing temperatures? How?
The symbiotic relationship between the bee and the flower is disrupted
* The bee receives LESS nectar and pollination is affected
List and explain the:
Geographical Changes due to climate change
- Latitudinal: Species’ geographic range can become more North over time
- Altitudinal: Tropical birds are moving to higher altitudes as a result of climate change
- Depth: Distribution of species is changing according to sea levels
What example is used in the lecture to described geographical changes? Explain
B.C. Pine Beetle
* The beetle migrated over the Rockies and adapted to a new tree species
True or False:
Rate of displacement is the same for different animals
(If false, explain why)
False, rate of displacement is dependent can vary for different animals as it is dependent on mobility
List the capacity to displace methods by plants and animals
Plants: Efficacy of seed dispersal
* Plants cannot run away
* Birds eat seeds, disperse in different areas
* Wind dispersal - types of seeds
Animals: Mobility (speed and how they move)
* Turtles cannot move quickly, however, climate change is gradual
* Birds can fly very long distances. Some animals use other animals to help them move
Define:
Tropicalization
Movement of organisms in response to WARMER temperatures
What are the general effects of tropicalization?
- Generally causes an increase in tropical species and a decrease in temperate species (E.x. Mangroves replacing salt marshes)
- Movement of organisms will disrupt the ecosystem - if there are predators better suited to the environment or who can outcompete for food, they’ll win
Define and give examples:
Asynchrony
Species follow different environmental cues and migrate at different times (E.x. Monarch and Red Admiral Butterflies)
Using the 2019 unusual wind pattern scenario:
Describe the red admiral butterfly and what happened in this scenario
Red Admiral butterfly: Semi-tropical, migrates in summer
* Food source was above ground, successful oviposition
* Temperature dropped and larvae died
Using the 2019 unusual wind pattern scenario:
Describe what happened to the Monarch butterfly in this scenario
- Arrived, couldn’t lay eggs
- Milkweed had not come out yet, thus population died out
Describe:
Migrant Species
- Migrate NORTH in spring when there are short days and hot temperatures
- Migrate SOUTH in fall when there are short days and cold temperatures
- Allows species to stay in optimal conditions year-round
How is rising temperatures affecting migrant species? Use an example
Monarch butterflies along Migrant Pathway:
* Higher temperatures are causing earlier migration
* Butterflies reproduce earlier
* The 3rd generation reproduces instead of leaving
* Offspring die, or die off due to lack of food
Describe the effects of:
Drought conditions
- Decreased foraging
- Decreased flower availability
- Higher nectar viscosity
- Competition with resident nectivores
- Even further decrease in lipid stores