Ecosystems at Risk Flashcards

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1
Q

What are diverse ecosystems?

A

Can be defined as either terrestrial or aquatic.

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2
Q

Energy cycles and trophic scale

A
  1. Explanation of the energy flows of an ecosystems; food chain.
  2. Trophic scale is the position an organism maintains on the food chain
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3
Q

What are nutrient cycles?

A

Four cour nutrient cycles; carbon, oxygen, nitrogen and phosphorus cycle. The growth and energy transferred amongst ecosystems utilised by life.

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4
Q

Biophysical interactions - Atmosphere

A
  1. Layer of gases in air, impacting climate and chemical composition.
    - amount of water in environment
    - survival of environment
    - Soil in environment
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5
Q

Biophysical interactions - Hydrosphere

A
  1. Encompasses all water.
    - bodies of water
    - erosionary forces
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6
Q

Biophysical interactions - Lithosphere

A
  1. Rigid outer layer of earth and consists of crust, topography and soils.
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7
Q

Biophysical interactions - Biosphere

A
  1. All living things, biosphere impacts ecosystem through energy and nutrient cycling.
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8
Q

What is resilience

A

Capacity for ecosystems to bounce back after stress, ability of ecosystem to adapt to changing environment and restore function and structure.

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9
Q

What is vulnerability?

A

Relates to sensitivity of an ecosystem to stress and capacity to withstand it, as ecosystems sit within a constant dynamic equilibrium.

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10
Q

What is the acronym BELL?

A

Biodiversity
Extent
Location
Linkage

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11
Q

What is biodiversity?

A

Diversity of habitats, biotic communities and ecological processes.

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12
Q

Ecosystem diversity

A
  1. Species diversity
  2. Genetic diversity
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13
Q

Extent and linkage?

A

Extent - Size and amount of an ecosystem, can be specific i.e. genetic diversity.

Linkage - Interdependence of different species within ecosystem.

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14
Q

Nature of natural stress?

A

Natural stresses defined by two types: gradual and catastrophic.

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15
Q

Gradual adaptation

A

Overtime species adapt and change in response to conditions, species are better than others.

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16
Q

Ecological succession

A
  1. Species gradually taking over environment from another
17
Q

Impacts of natural stress

A
  1. organism level
  2. population level
  3. community level: disruption of energy and chemical flow and cycles.
18
Q

Human impacts upon environment acronym (PREPDAD)

A

Pollution
Removal of species
Exploitation
Protection
Destruction
Adding species
Degradation

19
Q

Magnitude and rate of change?

A
  1. Magnitude refers to size and extent of how an ecosystem is altered beyond dynamic equilibrium.
  2. Rate of change is the velocity of over time.
20
Q

Importance of environmental management acronym (ICHUG)

A

Intrinsic
Change
Heritage
Utility
Genetic Diversity

21
Q

Intrinsic value?

A

Value of ecosystem for its mere existence.

22
Q

Value in change?

A

Importance of allowing evolution and natural processes to respond to ecosystem for benefit of resistance.

23
Q

Heritage value?

A

Places being components of natural environment of Australia or cultural environment which have aesthetic, historic, scientific or social significance.

24
Q

Utility value?

A

How living and non-living components have value through human exploitation.

25
Q

Genetic diversity value?

A

Importance of maintaining variety of genes for variety of species and ecosystems to ensure diverse world.

26
Q

Traditional management strategies

A

Stewardship based management strategies, in Australia seen management by rightful owners of land.

27
Q

Features of Aboriginal management?

A
  1. sacred groups or totemic animals
  2. closed seasons
  3. hunting area
  4. Story, ceremonies and rituals
  5. sustainable hunting methods
28
Q

Contemporary management strategies

A
  1. Exploitation
  2. Utilisation
  3. Conservation
  4. Preservation