Environment - Topic 3 (Horticulture and Society), Element 2 Flashcards
What is climate?
The overall average weather for an area over a long time period, including long-term trends in temperature and precipitation.
What is the difference between climate and weather?
Climate refers to long-term average conditions, while weather refers to short-term atmospheric conditions.
What factors influence the climate of a place?
- Latitude
- Altitude
- Proximity to the sea
- Level of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere
What drives the global climate system?
The Sun provides the energy that drives the global climate system.
How does sunlight affect the Earth’s climate?
Some sunlight is reflected back into space, some is absorbed by the atmosphere, and the rest is absorbed by the Earth’s surfaces, causing the Earth to heat up.
What is the greenhouse effect?
A process where greenhouse gases allow short-wave radiation in but block long-wave radiation from escaping, thereby retaining heat in the atmosphere.
What are greenhouse gases?
- Carbon dioxide (CO2)
- Methane (CH4)
- Water vapour
What is climate change?
A change in the long-term weather trends; a shift in the climate.
What is the goal set by world leaders regarding global temperature rise?
To keep the global average temperature rise below 2°C and preferably limit it to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels.
What evidence can be used to study past climates?
Tree rings, sea and land surface temperatures, air temperatures, rainfall amounts, winds, and sea levels.
What is carbon sequestration?
The process of removing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and storing it, primarily through photosynthesis in plants.
Fill in the blank: Carbon fixation makes plants _______.
Carbon sinks.
What are sources and sinks in the context of greenhouse gases?
Sources release greenhouse gases, while sinks absorb and hold onto them.
True or False: Living things can change from being sinks for greenhouse gases to being sources.
True.
What are the human sources of greenhouse gases?
- Fossil fuels
- Agriculture: crops and animals
- Land use change
- Industrial processes
What are the effects of climate change on rainfall patterns?
Some places will experience more and heavier rain, while others will see less rain, leading to droughts.
What is the impact of melting ice due to climate change?
It adds water to the seas, contributing to rising sea levels and increased flooding risks.
What are the two main strategies for dealing with climate change?
- Mitigation
- Adaptation
What role do plants play in climate change strategies?
Plants can help with both mitigation and adaptation.
How does climate change affect biodiversity?
Organisms depend on their climate and may struggle to adapt to rapid changes, risking their survival.
What are the consequences of higher global temperatures?
- Increased frequency of extreme weather events
- Higher risks of heatwaves
- Changes in disease patterns
What is the carbon cycle?
The cycle through which carbon dioxide is absorbed by plants, passed through the food chain, and returned to the atmosphere.
What is the significance of the Gulf Stream?
An important ocean current that carries warmth from the Gulf of Mexico across the Atlantic, influencing climate.
What does ‘climate mitigation’ refer to?
Mitigating the impacts of climate change rather than climate change itself.
What roles do green roofs perform?
Both mitigation and adaptation roles.
How does climate change impact biodiversity?
Organisms are heavily dependent on the climate of their areas and can have knock-on effects on biodiversity.
What is species distribution?
The range in which each species can thrive and survive.
In which direction do species in the Northern Hemisphere generally move due to warming temperatures?
Northwards towards cooler conditions.
In which direction do species in the Southern Hemisphere generally move due to warming temperatures?
Southwards towards the Antarctic.
What type of habitats are particularly vulnerable to climatic changes?
High, cold habitats.
What is happening to the growing seasons in many places with changing weather?
Lengthening of the growing season for plants.
What issue may arise from plants starting growth earlier in the year?
Lifecycles of pollinating insects may become out of sync with that of the plants.
What triggers stimulate plants to flower?
Light and temperature.
What climatic changes may affect seed germination?
Changes in moisture, oxygen, and temperature requirements.
What specific temperature conditions do Ash seeds require for germination?
Warm temperatures of autumn followed by the cold of winter.
True or False: Climate change can increase the range of new pests and diseases.
True.
What environmental conditions can make plants more vulnerable to pests and diseases?
Too much heat, too little water, wind damage, and nutrient deficiencies.
What factors influence how well people and ecosystems can adapt to climate change?
- Location
- Economic status
- Access to technology
- Biodiversity levels
What is the interrelation between climate change and biodiversity?
Climate change and biodiversity loss are interlinked.
What influences climate in any given place?
- Latitude
- Altitude
- Proximity to the sea
- Greenhouse gas levels
What do carbon sinks do?
They absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.
What is mitigation in the context of climate change?
Reducing greenhouse gas levels in the atmosphere.
What is adaptation in the context of climate change?
Making changes to deal with the effects of climate change.
What is a potential outcome for plants at the edge of their range due to climate change?
They may become extinct if they cannot move higher.
How does warmth affect insect populations?
It increases the fecundity of many insects.
What is the focus of horticulture?
Improving people’s spaces and wellbeing, and providing food.
What are some positive impacts of horticulture on the environment?
- Carbon storage in soils and plant tissue
- Plant ecosystem services
- Biodiversity
What are some negative impacts of horticulture?
- Single use plastic
- Water management
- Heating of glasshouses
- Waste and end-of-life impacts
What are some environmental benefits of horticulture?
- Urban greening
- Allotments
- Domestic gardens
- Parks
- Botanical and heritage gardens
What are sustainable horticultural practices?
- The carbon footprint of plants
- Water management
- Composting of green waste
- Soil carbon management with no dig systems
- Alternatives to plastics
How can horticultural practices support the environment?
By enhancing ecosystems and mitigating climate change impacts.
Fill in the blank: The negative impacts of horticulture include _____ and pollution.
waste
True or False: The environment only includes the natural world.
False
What are the categories of impacts from horticulture?
- Climate change
- Biodiversity
- Resources
- Waste and pollution
- Ecosystem services
What contributes to climate change in horticulture?
- Energy use
- Fertilisers
- Land use
- Resource extraction & production
- Carbon footprint
What are positive impacts of horticulture on climate change?
- Mitigation
- Adaptation
- Resilience
What is urban greening?
The addition and increasing of green spaces and plants in cities and towns.
What are the benefits of planting trees?
- Mitigating high temperatures
- Reducing strong winds
- Preventing flooding
- Minimizing soil erosion
What is a green roof?
A roof with a layer of plants that absorbs rain and cools the surrounding air.
What is the carbon footprint?
The total greenhouse gas emissions from an activity or item, expressed in terms of CO2.
Which factors contribute to the carbon footprint of a plant?
- Fertiliser and water
- Heating and lighting
- Transport of plant
- Plastic used in pots and trays
- Growing media
What are negative impacts of horticulture on biodiversity?
- Chemicals from pest and weed control
- Damage and destruction of habitats
- Pollution from waste and runoff
How does horticulture support biodiversity?
- Conservation of heritage varieties
- Provides food for wildlife
- Creates habitats for wildlife
What role do domestic gardens play in biodiversity?
They provide food, shelter, and breeding sites for wildlife.
What is the significance of botanic gardens?
They work to conserve plant species and their habitats.
What is the impact of invasive species on ecosystems?
They can out-compete native species and change ecosystems.
How can horticulture improve ecosystem functioning?
- Planting trees that aid water infiltration
- Managing water carefully
- Reducing land use for buildings
What are the negative effects of water extraction for horticulture?
It can change or harm local habitats and species.
Fill in the blank: Solutions to water management include using _______ water.
less
What is key to growing plants well?
Watering
Proper watering techniques are essential for plant growth.
What are some ways to collect and store water for plants?
Collect rainwater, use grey water, store in water butts
These methods help reduce reliance on mains water.
How can mains water use be reduced in the garden?
Grow low-water plants, gather rainwater, improve soil water retention
Targeted irrigation methods like drip irrigation are also effective.
Which practices contribute to pollution in horticulture?
Carbon emissions from machinery/tools, peat extraction, waste from single-use plastics
These practices can harm the environment.
Identify sustainable practices that reduce pollution in horticulture.
Use electric tools, reduce energy use, compost organic waste
These practices help mitigate pollution effects.
What are the negative impacts of climate change on horticulture?
Soil degradation, habitat destruction, carbon emissions from fertilizers
These factors contribute to climate change effects.
How do trees benefit the environment?
Provide shade, act as windbreaks, stabilize soil, sequester carbon
Trees play a crucial role in reducing climate impacts.
What is ‘end-of-life’ in the context of horticultural items?
Items no longer usable for their original purpose
This includes broken or worn-out tools and structures.
What actions can consumers take to support sustainable horticulture?
Select environmentally friendly products, reduce plastic use, support peat-free composts
Consumer choices can influence market practices.
What is the goal of permaculture and biodynamics?
Create a closed loop with waste reuse
This includes composting and reusing materials.
What are some effective ways to boost biodiversity in gardens?
Plant for wildlife, create ponds, reduce pesticide use
These actions support ecosystem health.
What is one way to reduce the carbon footprint of plants?
Choose suppliers that minimize energy and plastic use
Sustainable practices can reduce overall environmental impact.
Fill in the blank: Sustainable practices can include the use of _______ powered tools.
electric
Electric tools can help reduce emissions.
True or False: Recycling plastic pots is a sustainable practice.
True
Recycling helps reduce waste in horticulture.
What can be done to improve soil health?
Use green manure, compost organic waste, keep soil covered
Healthy soil supports plant growth and reduces erosion.
List some methods to reduce water use in gardening.
- Grow low-water requirement plants
- Gather rainwater
- Use targeted irrigation methods
These methods help conserve water resources.
What are the benefits of using peat-free growing media?
Reduces carbon emissions, supports sustainable practices
Peat extraction is a significant source of emissions.
What is eutrophication?
Nutrient runoff causing excessive growth of algae in water bodies
Often caused by leachate from fertilizers.
What is a key action to take for end-of-life garden items?
Recycle or properly dispose of them
This helps minimize environmental impact.
