Human Impact on the Environment Flashcards

3rd Unit

1
Q

Pollution

A

Any harmful/dangerous substance that is released into the environment

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2
Q

Conservation

A

Using resources at a minimum so that they can last longer

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3
Q

Sustainability

A

The ability to reuse materials so they don’t run out

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4
Q

Examples of our limiting factors

A

Food, water, space, oxygen

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5
Q

Direct Harvesting

A

Organisms are removed from the environment and NOT replaced

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6
Q

Deforestation

A

Decreases biodiversity by habitat destruction

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7
Q

Overpopulation

A

Created by improved health care and hygiene

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8
Q

Carrying capacity

A

Amount of organisms that can be supported by the habitat

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9
Q

Limiting Factors

A

Are factors in the environment that limit the size of populations

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10
Q

What are some of the detrimental effects of overpopulation

A

Technology, Waste Disposal, Over Consumption, Overcrowding, Habitat Destruction, Industrialization

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11
Q

Other names for Imported Species

A

Non-native or Invasive species

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12
Q

Imported species

A

Animal and vegetation species that are introduced into environments.
They become pests & disrupt the ecosystem by reducing biodiversity

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13
Q

How do ecologists solve the pest problems?

A

Diseases created specifically for the pest, use of pesticides or insecticides or Biological Control

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14
Q

Biological Control

A

The release of natural predators of a pest species

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15
Q

Water Pollution

A

Introduction of harmful chemicals into lakes, rivers, oceans

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16
Q

Examples of what pollutes the water

A

Sewage, wastes from homes & factories, animal wastes from farm, fertilizers

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17
Q

Toxic Wastes

A

Can cause environmental problems. When they are disposed the cells of the organisms that live there can collect it

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18
Q

Biological Magnification

A

The increase in the concentration of toxic substances as they move through the food chain

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19
Q

Thermal contamination

A

Power plants and industries use water to cool down their machines and then release it to a river or lake. The warm water cannot hold much oxygen and some species may suffocate.

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20
Q

Contaminant

A

Any dangerous/hazardous substance that is contaminating a certain space

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21
Q

Air Pollution

A

The release of harmful substances into the air

22
Q

Example of what pollutes the air

A

Fossil Fuels

23
Q

Acid Rain

A

Caused mainly by S02 (Sulfur) and N02 (Nitrogen). Lowers pH of lakes, kills plants animals

24
Q

Carbon Dioxide

A

Greenhouse gas that I produced from burning fossil fuels and a product of cellular respiration

25
Q

Greenhouse gases

A

Gases that trap heat in the atmosphere

26
Q

Examples of greenhouse gases

A

CO2, methane, water vapor

27
Q

How does deforestation cause an increase in atmospheric carbon dioxide?

A

Less trees = less photosynthesis = more CO2 and less O2

28
Q

Global warming

A

The increase in earth’s temperature because of the increased levels of greenhouse gases. CO2 from burning

29
Q

Detrimental effects of Global Warming

A

Melting of the polar ice caps, rising in sea level, flooding in many coastal areas

30
Q

Ozone Layer

A

Protects us from UV radiation

31
Q

Chlorofluorocarbons (CFC’s)

A

Chemicals that destroy the ozone layer

32
Q

Examples of CFC’s

A

Aerosol cans, refrigerator emissions, air conditioner emissions

33
Q

Problem with CFC’s

A

They create holes in the ozone layer around the earth. Lets UV radiation enter the earth

34
Q

Effects of UV in living things

A

Mutations that lead to cancer

35
Q

Nonrenewable resources

A

Finite = limited
Once we use them, they’re gone FOREVER

36
Q

Examples of nonrenewable resources

A

Fossil fuels: Coal, oil, natural gas

37
Q

Renewable resources

A

Replaceable
They will keep coming as long as we treat them properly

38
Q

Alternative Energy Sources

A

Hydroelectricity, wind power, solar energy, nuclear energy

39
Q

Hydroelectricity

A

Dammed water is sent through a turbine & generates electricity

40
Q

Advantages of hydroelectricity

A

-Little or no pollution
-Doesn’t depend on fossil fuels

41
Q

Disadvantages of hydroelectricity

A

-Destroys the surrounding aquatic ecosystems

42
Q

Wind Power

A

Wind spins turbine blades to produce electricity

43
Q

Advantages of wind power

A

-Little or no pollution
-Don’t use water

44
Q

Disadvantages of wind power

A

-Depends if the day is windy or not
-Need a lot of turbines to generate as much energy as one fossil fuel power plant

45
Q

Solar Energy

A

The use of the sun’s energy to generate electricity

46
Q

Advantages of solar energy

A

-Relatively pollution free
-Is affordable

47
Q

Disadvantages of solar energy

A

-Not available at night
-Reduced during cloud cover

48
Q

Nuclear energy

A

Energy produced from splitting of atoms

49
Q

Advantages of nuclear energy

A

-The only emission is water vapor
-Low fuel costs (uranium)

50
Q

Disadvantages of nuclear energy

A

-Waste is radioactive
-High maintenance costs

51
Q

Ecological Succession

A

The process by which an ecosystem changes over time

52
Q

Trade off

A

Decisions by you weighing the pros and cons our actions will have in the environment