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Environmental Science 100 > GE 100 Exam Two (Chapters 12-18) > Flashcards

GE 100 Exam Two (Chapters 12-18) Flashcards

1
Q

aerosols

A

tiny solid particles or liquid droplets that remain suspended in the atmosphere for a long time

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2
Q

alien species

A

species that do not naturally occur within an area that have usually arrived in the area as a result of human intervention (whether deliberate or accidental)

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3
Q

allopatric speciation

A

evolution of a new species that occurs when a population becomes geographically isolated from its parent population and accumulates genetic or behavioral changes that differentiate it from the original population

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4
Q

anthropocentric

A

the ethical position that the value of nonhuman species is determined by their value to people

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5
Q

attribution

A

the process of establishing a cause and effect relationship between human activity and an observed change in climate

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6
Q

background extinction

A

the ongoing extinction of individual species due to environmental or ecological factors such as climate change, disease, loss of habitat, or competitive disadvantage in relation to other species; occurs at a fairly steady rate over geological time and is the result of normal evolutionary processes, with only a limited number of species in an ecosystem being affected at any one time

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7
Q

biocentric

A

the ethical position that nonhuman species have value in and of themselves and have the right to exist independent of their usefulness to humans

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8
Q

biodiversity

A

the biological variation found in a defined spatial area: can refer to variation at the level of genome, phenotype, species, community, or ecosystem

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9
Q

biodiversity hot spot

A

an area with an especially large number of species

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10
Q

black market

A

a market in which goods or services are sold illegally

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11
Q

corruption

A

unlawful use of public office for private gain

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12
Q

diffuse chemical coevolution

A

natural selection favoring individuals that accumulate compounds effective against a wide variety of enemies

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13
Q

dispersal

A

the distance a species can travel to find new environments

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14
Q

ecosystem diversity

A

variation between and within ecosystems with regard to species and function

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15
Q

edge effects

A

habitat conditions created at or near the more or less well-defined boundary between ecosystems

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16
Q

edges

A

boundaries between well-defined ecosystems

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17
Q

endangered species

A

a species that is in danger of extinction throughout all or a significant portion of its range

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18
Q

endemic

A

species that are restricted to a certain geographic region and are thought to have originated there

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19
Q

enemy release hypothesis

A

the notion that the population of an alien species can grow rapidly (escape) if the number of pathogens it leaves behind in its native range exceeds the new pathogens it accumulates in its naturalized range

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20
Q

ethnobotany

A

the study of how different groups of people, including indigenous cultures, use plants and animals

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21
Q

ex situ

A

maintaining a species away from its natural habitat

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22
Q

extinction

A

the loss of living representatives of a given species either globally or locally

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23
Q

extremophiles

A

organisms that live in extreme environments

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24
Q

fragmentation

A

breakup of a continuous habitat, ecosystem, or land use type into smaller areas

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25
Q

gap species

A

species whose range falls outside protected areas

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26
Q

genetic diversity

A

information in the DNA of plants, animals, and microorganisms

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27
Q

governance

A

act of governing and exercising authority

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28
Q

habitat conversion

A

changes in the quality of land use or land cover associated with human activity

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29
Q

immigration

A

movement of a species into an area previously uninhabited by that species

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30
Q

in situ

A

efforts to preserve species in functioning ecosystems

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31
Q

insurance

A

the process of spreading the potential effects of risk

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32
Q

invasive

A

species that displace indigenous or spread into habitats where they were not previously common

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33
Q

keystone species

A

species whose presence and numbers control the integrity of a community or ecosystem and allow that system to persist within its natural range of environmental conditions

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34
Q

mass extinctions

A

periods when the extinction rate is much greater than the background extinction rate

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35
Q

native range

A

areas where a species evolved or inhabits for a long period

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36
Q

naturalized range

A

an area that was previously uninhabited by a species

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37
Q

nongovernmental organizations

A

private organizations that pursue activities to relieve suffering, promote the interests of the poor, protect the environment, provide basic social services, or undertake community development

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38
Q

passenger species

A

species whose loss would have little effect on ecosystem function

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39
Q

poaching

A

illegal killing or collecting of plants and animals

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40
Q

pollinators

A

animals that place pollen on the stigma of plants

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41
Q

predator control

A

efforts to reduce the populations of species that compete with humans for crops or game

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42
Q

random drift

A

accumulation of changes in the gene pool due to stochastic events

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43
Q

redundant species

A

species whose loss has little effect on ecosystem function

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44
Q

speciation

A

evolution of a new species

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45
Q

species diversity

A

the total number of living species

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46
Q

species evenness

A

the distribution of individuals among species

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47
Q

species richness

A

the number of species in an area

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48
Q

sympatric speciation

A

the process of forming a new species in which individual traits isolate a subpopulation from the parent population and allows the populations to evolve separately

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49
Q

threatened species

A

species that are likely to become endangered in the foreseeable future throughout all or a significant portion of their ranges

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50
Q

clean development mechanism

A

a UN policy that allows a nation to earn credit for reducing emissions in another nation

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51
Q

climate

A

the average weather conditions (temperature, humidity, atmospheric pressure, wind, rainfall) in a given region over a long period of time

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52
Q

climate change

A

a statistically significant variation in either the average state of the climate or in its variability, persisting for an extended period, typically decades or longer

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53
Q

climate envelope

A

conditions under which populations of a species can persist in the face of competitors and natural enemies

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54
Q

detection

A

the process of determining whether climate is changing

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55
Q

greenhouse effect

A

the atmosphere’s ability to absorb reradiated energy with longer wavelengths and convert it to heat

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56
Q

greenhouse gases

A

gases that absorb reradiated energy with longer wavelengths and convert it to heat

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57
Q

heat balance

A

the difference between the amoun of energy that enters the atmosphere and the amount of energy that leaves the atmosphere

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58
Q

land use change

A

the practice of replacing natural ecosystems with others that meet human needs and wants

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59
Q

radiative forcing

A

the total amount of energy (watts) that is absorbed by the gases that lie above an area of Earth’s surface, from ground level to the top of the atmosphere

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60
Q

reflect

A

the process whereby a surface turns back a portion of the radiation that strikes it

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61
Q

residence time

A

the time that an atom spends in a storage pool

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62
Q

scatter

A

to disperse radiation in different directions

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63
Q

temperature sensitivity

A

the long-term change in temperature given a doubling in atmospheric concentration of carbon dioxide or radiative forcing

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64
Q

water efficiency

A

the amount of water transpired per unit of new biomass produced

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65
Q

weather

A

atmospheric conditions at a particular place and point in time and how they change from day to day

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66
Q

dobson unit

A

the unit used to measure the concentration of ozone in a column of the atmosphere

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67
Q

lapse rate

A

change in temperature with altitude

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68
Q

marginal ice zone

A

area along the Antarctic coast where melting ice forms a shallow layer of relatively fresh water on top of salt water that has abundant supplies of light and nutrients

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69
Q

mesosphere

A

the layer of the atmosphere that extends from about 50 to 100 km above the surface, in which temperature declines with altitude

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70
Q

molecular nitrogen

A

molecules of two atoms that make up about 78% of the atmosphere

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71
Q

molecular oxygen

A

molecules of two atoms that make up about 21% of the atmosphere

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72
Q

mutation

A

breaks and rearrangements of DNA molecules

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73
Q

ozone

A

a molecule that consists of three oxygen atoms and is found largely in the stratosphere, where it absorbs a significant fraction of incoming UV-B radiation

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74
Q

ozone depletion potential

A

the ability of a chemical to destroy ozone

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75
Q

photodissociation

A

the process by which solar energy splits a molecule

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76
Q

polar stratospheric clouds

A

clouds that consist of very small droplets of water and nitric acid that are formed at very cold temperatures

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77
Q

polar vortex

A

a surface wind that blows in a circular pattern around the pole during the winter

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78
Q

stratosphere

A

a layer of the atmosphere that extends from about 20 to 50 km above the surface, in which temperature rises by about 50 degrees C

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79
Q

thermosphere

A

the outer layer of the atmosphere that starts at about 100 km in which temperature reaches 1,200 degrees C

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80
Q

trace gases

A

a group of about twenty gases that make up about 1% of the atmosphere

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81
Q

tropopause

A

the end of the troposphere where temperature starts to rise with altitude

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82
Q

troposphere

A

the lowest layer fo the atmosphere extending from Earth’s surface to an altitude of 10 to 20 km, in which temperature declines with altitude at a rate of about 6.5 degrees C per km

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83
Q

A horizon

A

a soil layer that consists of organic matter mixed with mineral materials, usually containing more mineral material than organic

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84
Q

aridisols

A

soil in dry environments characterized by eluvial horizons that undergo relatively little leaching

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85
Q

B horizon

A

a soil layer known as subsoil that accumulates the minerals that wash out from the eluvial horizon

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86
Q

C horizon

A

a soil layer that consists of the parent material from which the soil formed and that shows little or no sign of soil formation

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87
Q

capillary water

A

water that fills a soil’s micropores and is held with moderate force

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88
Q

carbonation and solution

A

a form of decomposition in which carbon dioxide combines with water to form carbonic acid, which dissolves minerals within rocks and thereby opens spaces

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89
Q

cation exchange capacity

A

a soil’s ability to hold positively charged nutrients

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90
Q

cations

A

positively charged ions

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91
Q

contour plowing

A

sowing crops in rows that cut across the slope

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92
Q

crop residues

A

plant parts remaining in a field after the harvest of a crop, which include stalks, stems, leaves, roots, and weeds

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93
Q

decomposition

A

chemical changes in solid materials that lead to soil formation

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94
Q

disintegration

A

physical changes in solid material that lead to soil formation

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95
Q

E horizon

A

a soil layer from which minerals are leached as water percolates through the soil

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96
Q

eluvial horizon

A

the soil layer from which minerals are leached as water percolates through the soil

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97
Q

erodibility factor

A

the ease with which soil particles can be detached and transported

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98
Q

field capacity

A

the quantity of both capillary and hygroscopic water stored by a fully wetted soil

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99
Q

gravitational water

A

water that moves into, through, or out of the soil by gravity within a day or two of a rainfall event

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100
Q

gully erosion

A

water erosion in which rills are concentrated into deeper channels

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101
Q

horizons

A

soil layers that are approximately parallel to the surface and have distinct characteristics that are related to the process of soil formation

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102
Q

humus

A

partially decomposed plant or animal matter

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103
Q

hydrolysis

A

decomposition of a chemical compound in a soil’s parent material by reaction with water

104
Q

hygroscopic water

A

tightly held water that forms a thin film around individual soil particles

105
Q

illuvial horizon

A

a soil layer that accumulates the minerals that wash out from the eluvial horizon

106
Q

loam soil

A

soil ideal for agriculture that consists of a roughly equal mixture of clay, sand, and silt

107
Q

macropores

A

relatively large spaces within soil

108
Q

micropores

A

small spaces within soil

109
Q

mollisols

A

soils with a deep A horizon that tend to form under grasslands

110
Q

O horizon

A

a soil layer that consists primarily of organic material, which serves as a precursor for soil formation

111
Q

oxidation

A

occurs when oxygen combines with compounds in the parent material; this often weakens a material, which makes it more vulnerable to weathering

112
Q

oxisols

A

soils that often have a thin O layer and small amounts of nutrients

113
Q

parent material

A

the mineral material from which a soil forms

114
Q

pores

A

spaces between particles in a soil or an oil field

115
Q

private costs

A

costs incurred by the individual who causes environmental degradation

116
Q

R horizon

A

a soil layer that consists of hard bedrock

117
Q

regolith

A

unconsolidated material that lies above bedrock

118
Q

rill erosion

A

water-driven soil erosion in which sheet erosion becomes concentrated in small channels

119
Q

rooting depth

A

the vertical distance from the soil surface that contains 95% of a plant’s roots

120
Q

saltation

A

wind-driven erosion in which particles bounce along the surface

121
Q

sand

A

soil particles that can be seen with the unaided eye

122
Q

second best problem

A

implementing a suboptimal policy because real-world conditions are inconsistent with those required for the optimal policy

123
Q

sheet erosion

A

water-driven erosion in which a film of water moves across the soil surface

124
Q

shelterbelts

A

soil protection provide by rows of planted vegetation between strips

125
Q

silt

A

intermediate-sized soil particles that can be seen under a microscope

126
Q

social costs

A

the effects of environmental degradation on society

127
Q

soil

A

the upper portion of the regolith that has been changed both chemically and biologically

128
Q

soil conservation techniques

A

techniques designed to slow soil erosion

129
Q

soil erosion

A

the rate at which soil is moved

130
Q

soil profile

A

the vertical arrangement of soil horizons

131
Q

spodosols

A

soils formed under coniferous forests that have a relatively thin O horizon and a more thoroughly leached eluvial horizon

132
Q

subsoil

A

a soil layer known as the illuvial or B horizon

133
Q

surface roughness

A

irregularities in the soil surface that retard soil erosion by slowing wind speed

134
Q

suspension

A

a wind-driven soil erosion process in which soil particles may be lifted high into the air and carried long distances

135
Q

terraces

A

ridges and channels that are constructed across a slope to prevent rainfall runoff from accumulating and causing serious erosion

136
Q

topsoil

A

the A horizon

137
Q

total saturation

A

the maximum water capacity of soil

138
Q

turbulent

A

winds that move across the surface and have an up-and-down component

139
Q

universal soil loss equation

A

the equation that represents the amount of soil moved by water

140
Q

weathering

A

the breakup of solid rock

141
Q

wilting point

A

the level of soil water at which plants lose the ability to support themselves because the soil water that remains is held more strongly than the plant’s ability to absorb it

142
Q

wind erosion equation

A

the equation that represents the amount of soil particles that are moved by wind

143
Q

agriculturists

A

people who obtain food by changing natural ecosystems in way that increases the amount of edible energy generated

144
Q

agroecosystems

A

simplified ecosystems that are set up and operated to produce food for people

145
Q

cereals

A

cultivated members of the grass family whose seeds (grains) are eaten by people or domesticated animals

146
Q

coarse grains

A

cereals used to feed livestock

147
Q

coevolutionary hypothesis

A

the notion that agriculture evolved via a positive feedback loop that includes the human population and the plants and animals humans eat

148
Q

crop yield potential

A

the degree to which farmers’ yields approach a theoretical maximum

149
Q

cultivars

A

a shortened term for cultivated varieties that refers to plants people have bred for a specific trait or characteristic

150
Q

domestication

A

the process by which a species is modified relative to its wild ancestors by selective breeding

151
Q

economies of scale

A

reductions in the unit costs of production as the quantity produced increases

152
Q

eutrophication

A

a process in which water bodies receive excess nutrients that stimulate excessive growth of autotrophs

153
Q

feedlots

A

confined yards where livestock eat prepared or manufactured feed

154
Q

fungicides

A

chemicals designed to kill fungal diseases

155
Q

gathering

A

the collection of edible plants from unaltered ecosystems

156
Q

genetically modified

A

cultivars with genes from other species

157
Q

grains

A

seeds of cultivated members of the grass family that are eaten by people or domesticated animals

158
Q

harvest index

A

the ratio of grain to total crop biomass

159
Q

herbicides

A

chemicals designed to kill plants

160
Q

high yield varieties

A

cultivars bred to produce more edible food per unit area

161
Q

hunting

A

capture of wild animals from an ecosystem

162
Q

industrial livestock production systems

A

feedlots that produce less than 10% of their own feed

163
Q

integrated pest management

A

the coordinated use of pest and environmental information along with available pes control methods to prevent unacceptable levels of pest damage by the most economical means, with the least possible hazard to people, property, and the environment

164
Q

intensification

A

reducing the use of land and labor while increasing the use of energy, materials, and water

165
Q

irrigation

A

the controlled application of water to cropland, hayfields, and/ or pasture to supplement natural precipitation

166
Q

livestock

A

domestic animals raised for food and fiber

167
Q

monoculture

A

growing a single crop over a large area

168
Q

pasture

A

chemicals designed to kill insect pests or plant diseases

169
Q

pesticides

A

chemicals designed to kill insect pests or plant diseases

170
Q

pests

A

species, such as insects, birds, or small mammals, that eat cultivated plants

171
Q

population density

A

the number of individuals per unit area

172
Q

precision agriculture

A

a system of agriculture that seeks to provide the inputs needed for crop growth (water and nutrients) and crop protection without deficiency or excess at each point in time during the growing season

173
Q

rangelands

A

relatively unaltered natural ecosystems where livestock graze natural vegetation that is predominantly native grasses, grasslike plants, forbs, or shrubs

174
Q

resource depletion hypothesis

A

the notion that agriculture is a response to population growth and the best first principle

175
Q

selective breeding

A

the process in which only individuals with traits desired by agriculturists are allowed to reproduce

176
Q

slash and burn

A

the process in which an agroecosystem is created by burning a patch of forest

177
Q

technical change hypothesis

A

the notion that agriculture arose with increasing human technical capabilities

178
Q

transgenic cultivars

A

new cultivars that are created by moving genes from other species into crop species

179
Q

vegetable

A

edible seeds, roots, stems, leaves, bulbs, tubers, or non-sweet fruits of herbaceous plants

180
Q

yield

A

the amount of edible food grown per land area

181
Q

afforestation

A

forest regrowth after a disturbance

182
Q

clear cutting

A

a harvest practice in which all commercially valuable trees are harvested at the same time

183
Q

debt for nature swap

A

an agreement wherein indebted nations are stricken of some portion of their debt in exchange for the designation of a portion of its forests as a national park where timber harvesting, agriculture, and mining are not allowed

184
Q

deforestation

A

the action or process of clearing forests; also: the state of having been cleared of forests

185
Q

ecosystem management

A

a harvest practice that balances human needs for wood as a raw material and an energy source with the forest’s provision of environmental services

186
Q

existence value

A

environmental contribution to human well-being even when the environment is not used

187
Q

extensive land uses

A

practices that use large land areas relative to other factors of production

188
Q

high-grading

A

the practice of harvesting only those trees that give the highest immediate economic return

189
Q

intensive land uses

A

practices that use small land areas relative to other factors of production

190
Q

selective harvesting

A

the process of cutting individual trees or small groups of trees

191
Q

shelterwood method

A

a harvest method that removes trees in a series of two or three partial cuts that are designed to simulate a natural disturbance

192
Q

siltation

A

accumulation of eroded soil particles at the bottom of a water body

193
Q

sustainable yield of timber

A

harvesting timber no faster than the rate at which trees produce new supplies

194
Q

timber concession

A

a contract that defines the rules for harvesting trees

195
Q

transportation costs

A

the price paid for moving capital, labor, or other inputs into an area or moving agricultural goods, timber, or minerals out of an area

196
Q

transportation infrastructure

A

capital used in transportation, such as roads, railroad lines, and ports

197
Q

turbidity

A

the degree to which light can penetrate water

198
Q

absolute water scarcity

A

a ratio of annual water availability to population less than 1,700 m3 per person per year

199
Q

aquifer

A

a soil layer in which all pore spaces are filled with water

200
Q

artesian well

A

a well in which water rises to the surface due to internal pressure

201
Q

best available technology

A

the most effective, economically achievable, state of the art technology currently in use for controlling pollution, as determined by the US EPA

202
Q

best practicable control technology

A

sets uniform, industry-wide effluent standards that approximate the average amount of control achieved from existing technology in the specific industry

203
Q

biochemical oxygen demand

A

the amount of oxygen required for aerobic organisms to decompose organic material in wastewater over a five to twenty day period; the usual measure is five days

204
Q

chemical oxygen demand

A

the amount of oxygen required to oxidize the organic material in a sample

205
Q

condense

A

to change from a gas to a liquid as a result of being cooled

206
Q

cone of depression

A

a drop in the water table around a well

207
Q

confined aquifer

A

groundwater that accumulates between two impermeable layers

208
Q

consumption

A

the purchase of goods and services by consumers

209
Q

continental divide

A

the series of ridges through the Rocky Mountains that divides the country into two drainage basins

210
Q

correlative rights doctrine

A

rules that govern water use and force landowners to share water

211
Q

desalinization

A

production of freshwater by removing the salt from salt water and brackish waters

212
Q

discharge

A

water returned after use, frequently at or near its source

213
Q

dissolved oxygen deficit

A

the difference between the amount of oxygen in water when it is fully saturated and the amount of oxygen actually present

214
Q

drainage basin

A

the area from which surface waters derive surface runoff and groundwater flows

215
Q

drip irrigation

A

slow, localized application of water just above the soil surface

216
Q

evaporation

A

conversion of a liquid to a gas

217
Q

fecal coliform count

A

measures the number of coliform bacteria per 100 milliliters

218
Q

fishable

A

a body of water in which fish and shellfish can thrive and be eaten safely by people

219
Q

freshwater

A

water that contains less than 1,000 milligrams per liter of dissolved solids

220
Q

groundwater

A

water that filles the pore spaces of an aquifer

221
Q

groundwater discharge

A

locations where groundwater resurfaces

222
Q

hydrologic cycle

A

the flow of water from the ocean through the atmosphere to the land and back to the ocean

223
Q

infiltration

A

vertical movements of water through the soil

224
Q

instream

A

uses of water that occur without the water being diverted or withdrawn from surface water or groundwater

225
Q

membrane separation

A

physical separation of salt from water by pushing seawater through thin filters that do not allow minerals to pass

226
Q

nonpoint pollutants

A

pollutants that are not discharged or emitted from a specific point, such as a pipe or smokestack

227
Q

offstream

A

water that is withdrawn or diverted from surface water or groundwater

228
Q

overdraft

A

removing water from an aquifer faster than it is recharged

229
Q

pathogens

A

microorganisms that cause disease

230
Q

precipitation

A

the flow of water from the atmosphere as a liquid (rain) or solid (snow or ice)

231
Q

primary treatment

A

treatment of municipal wastes that removes large solids by mechanical techniques such as screens and settling tanks

232
Q

prior appropriation doctrine

A

a practice dictating that no one owns the water in stream and that all people, corporations, and municipalities have the right to use water for beneficial purposes

233
Q

privatization

A

selling a state-owned business to private investors

234
Q

reasonable use doctrine

A

a doctrine that allows landowners to pump water for any beneficial use and does not recognize priority among users

235
Q

recharge area

A

the area from which an aquifer receives its water

236
Q

reservoir

A

a natural or artificial pond or lake that is used for water storage or regulation

237
Q

riparian water rights

A

laws that allow a landwoner to use a share of the water that flows naturally past his or her property but do not entitle a landowner to divert water for storage in a reservoir or for use in the dry season or to use water on land outside the watershed

238
Q

rule of absolute ownership

A

the principle that allows landowners to pump as much groundwater as they want

239
Q

runoff

A

water that flows horizontally across the land toward the nearest surface water

240
Q

salt water

A

water that contains more than 35,000mg per liter of dissolved solids, most often salt

241
Q

saltwater intrusion

A

occurs when overdrafts allow salt water to flow into aquifer pore spaces that were previously occupied by freshwater

242
Q

secondary treatment

A

treatment of municipal wastes that reduces the number of pathogens and accelerates the decomposition of organic wastes by enhancing the actions of aerobic and anaerobic bacteria

243
Q

sewage

A

waste and wastewater produced by residential and commercial users that is discharged into sewers

244
Q

sorption

A

a process in which soil organic carbon soaks up or attracts agricultural chemicals

245
Q

subsidence

A

a drop in land level due to the weight of the overlying material compressing soil particles after water has been withdrawn

246
Q

surface water

A

water that sits or flows above land, including lakes, oceans, rivers, and streams

247
Q

swimmable

A

a category of water quality in which recreation in and on water will not threaten people’s health

248
Q

tertiary treatment

A

treatment of municipal wastes in which undecomposed organic nutrients are separated from the wastewater, which is discharged back to the environment

249
Q

thermal desalting

A

a process in which seawater is boiled or evaporated and the steam or evaporate is drawn off as pure water

250
Q

unconfined aquifer

A

an aquifer that sits atop an impermeable layer

251
Q

water diversion

A

movement of water from surface water or groundwater over some distance to its point of use

252
Q

water pollution

A

purposeful or accidental addition of materials that contaminate water

253
Q

water table

A

the top portion of the aquifer

254
Q

watershed

A

the area from which surface waters derive surface runoff and groundwater flows

255
Q

waterworks

A

human systems for supplying water

256
Q

withdrawals

A

water that is removed from its source

257
Q

xenobiotics

A

organic compounds that are synthesized by humans and therefore are relatively resistant to organic decay

Environmental Science 100 (3 decks)

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