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Environmental Science > Exam 2 (Chps 3-7) > Flashcards

Exam 2 (Chps 3-7) Flashcards

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Biology 101 flashcards
1
Q

major abiotic cause of differences between ecosystems

A

climate

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2
Q

all life is composed of…

A

organic molecules

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3
Q

organic chemicals

A

C-C, C-H, C-O bonds

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4
Q

inorganic chemicals

A

neither C-C or C-H bonds

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5
Q

1st Law of Thermodynamics

A

takes energy to get energy

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6
Q

2nd Law of Thermodynamics

A

conversion always = some loss, so systems always need more

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7
Q

entropy

A

degree of disorder systems move only toward disorder

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8
Q

ecology

A

study of processes influencing distribution and abundance of organisms and their interaction with the environment multidisciplinary science

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9
Q

ecosystem

A

interacting biotic communities and abiotic environment in an area

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10
Q

species

A

share characteristics can interbreed

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11
Q

population

A

species in a certain area

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12
Q

landscapes

A

interacting ecosystems

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13
Q

biomes

A

large area that shares climate and vegetation

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14
Q

ecotone

A

transitional area between ecosystems

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15
Q

biosphere

A

earth

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16
Q

habitat

A

place

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17
Q

niche

A

all conditions and resources a species needs

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18
Q

conditions

A

environmental factors that vary in space and time

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19
Q

resources are…

A

consumed

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20
Q

survival curve parts

A
  • optimum
  • range of tolerance
  • limits of tolerance
  • zone of stress
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21
Q

synergistic effects, synergisms

A

two or more factors interacting in a way that causes an affect much greater than one would anticipate from the two acting seperately

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22
Q

4 spheres of Earth

A
  • biosphere
  • lithosphere
  • atmosphere
  • hydrosphere
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23
Q

energy forms

A
  • kinetic
  • potential
  • chemical
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24
Q

1st Principle of Sustainability

A

sun

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25
Q

cell respiration

A

molecules broken down for energy (helped by enzymes)

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26
Q

Law of Conservation of Matter

A

in chemical reactions, atoms are neither created or destroyed

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27
Q

Carbon Cycle

A

air -> photosynthesis -> eaten/soil

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28
Q

Phosphorus Cycle

A

rock -> plants -> heterotrophs -> soil

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29
Q

Nitrogen Cycle

A

air -> plants -> consumers -> soil -> bacteria -> air

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30
Q

Sulfer Cycle

A

rock -> plants -> animals -> soil

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31
Q

population growth

A

change in population divided by the time over which that change occurs

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32
Q

community

A

populations of different species living together

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33
Q

growth rate

A

population change divided by time

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34
Q

J curve

A

shape of growth curve for pop. undergoing exponential growth

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35
Q

S curve

A

plotted logistic growth

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36
Q

exponential increase

A

growth produced when base population increases by a given percentage each year, characterized by doubling again and again. J shaped curved

37
Q

logistic growth

A

pattern of growth that results in an S-shaped curve; population levels at carrying capacity (K)

38
Q

critical number

A

minimum number needed to maintain a healthy viable population. Less = extinction

39
Q

carrying capacity

A

K - max pop an ecosystem can support w/out being degraded or destroyed

40
Q

biotic potential

A

reproductive capacity (opposite environmental resistance)

41
Q

reproductive strategies

A

property of species balancing between reproduction and death (r vs. K)

42
Q

recruitment

A

maturation and successful entry of young into an adult breeding population

43
Q

environmental resistance

A

factors that cut back populations (opposite biotic potential)

44
Q

top-down relationship

A

population control by predation

45
Q

bottom-up relationship

A

population control by lack of resource(s)

46
Q

ecosystem capital

A

goods and services provided by nature

47
Q

commensalism

A

one benefits, one not affected

48
Q

Maximum sustainable yield (MSY)

A

1/2 carrying capacity

49
Q

resource partitioning

A

division of a resource and specialization in different parts of it

50
Q

precautionary principle applied to fisheries

A

TAC is less than MSY

51
Q

ecological succession

A

change in community, some species invading, others fading

52
Q

introduced species implications and cost

A
  • destroy habitat
  • kill organisms
  • cost money
53
Q

standing crop biomass

A

biomass of primary producers

54
Q

primary production

A

photosynthetic organism, creating new organic matter in ecosystems

55
Q

primary succession

A

gradual establishment of climax ecosystem in unoccupied area

56
Q

secondary succession

A

reestablishment, in stages, of ecosystem

57
Q

climax ecosystem

A

last stage in succession, balance of biotic/abiotic

58
Q

ecosystem resilience mechanisms

A
  • nutrient release to soil
  • regrowth by remnant roots and seeds
  • invasion from neighboring ecosystems
  • rapid restoration of energy and nutrients
  • successional dynamics
59
Q

biological wealth

A

commercial, scientific, aesthetic value of biota

60
Q

natural goods

A

materials derived from the natural world

61
Q

natural services

A

functions performed free by ecosystems (erosion control, etc.)

62
Q

conservation

A

management of resource to ensure max benefits for the long run

63
Q

preservation

A

ensure the continuity of ecosystems regardless of potential utility

64
Q

consumptive use

A

harvesting natural resources for immediate needs

65
Q

productive use

A

exploitation of ecosystem resources for economic gain

66
Q

Total Allowable Catch (TAC)

A

yearly quota set for harvest of a species

67
Q

tragedy of the commons

A

overuse/destruction of resource used by all

68
Q

restoration ecology

A

restoring ecosystems to natural state

69
Q

new forestry

A

Forest Service now prioritizes protecting ecological health and diversity, not just logging

70
Q

wilderness

A

undeveloped, protected by Wilderness Act

71
Q

national parks

A

National Park Service: scenic, ecological or historical importance, protection, public access

72
Q

national wildlife refuges

A

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service: maintained for protection of wildlife and provision of public access

73
Q

Millennium Ecosystem Assessment

A

2 million species classified

8.7 million total (recent estimate)

74
Q

intrinsic value

A

value for its own sake

75
Q

instrumental value

A

value for benefiting others: cultivars, genetic bank, ecotourism, science, agriculture, medicine, etc.

76
Q

responses to limits of change

A
  • adapt
  • migrate
  • die
77
Q

tropic categories

A
  • producer (autotrophs)
  • consumers (heterotrophs, primary secondary, higher)
  • decomposers (detritus feeders)
78
Q

Value of Ecosystem capital

A

$35 trillon/ yr

79
Q

biodiversity

A

variety in species, genetics, ecosystems

80
Q

causes of biodiveristy loss

A
  • habitat destruction
  • invasive species
  • pollution
  • population
  • over-exploitation
81
Q

current rate of extinction

A

100-1000x normal

82
Q

Lacey Act

A
  • forbids interstate commerce in illegally killed wildlife
  • restricts injurious wildlife
  • now includes plants
83
Q

Endangered Species Act

A

protects species and habitats at risk of extinction

84
Q

ESA Process

A
  1. Listing: agency or petition, based on best info, considers economic impact
  2. Habitat Identification: critical habitat must be designated
  3. Recovery Plans: to survive and thrive
85
Q

International Union for Conservation of Nature

A

Red List: evaluates and creates a list of endangered species

86
Q

CITES

A

169 nations that restrict trade of rare and vulnerable species

87
Q

Convention on Biological Diversity

A

192 nations and EU

goals: conservation, sustainable use, sharing genetic resources

88
Q

Critical Ecosystems Partnership Fund

A

grants to conservation NGOs

89
Q

Why are ecosystems undervalued?

A
  • free
  • not noticed until gone or fouled
  • no consensus on how to use sustainably

Environmental Science (6 decks)

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