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Environmental science > Living Environment Key terminology > Flashcards

Living Environment Key terminology Flashcards

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Biology 101 flashcards
1
Q

albedo

A

measurement of reflectivity of a surface

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2
Q

ambient gases

A

mixture of gases from the unconfined portion of the atmosphere

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3
Q

atmosphere

A

gaseous envelope surrounding the earth held by the gravitational pull (mass of the earth)

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4
Q

biosphere

A

worldwide sum of all ecosystems

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5
Q

carbon sequestration

A

the removal of CO2 from the atmosphere i.e. afforestation, carbon capture

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6
Q

greenhouse gas

A

a gas that absorbs infrared radiation which causes atmospheric heating

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7
Q

hydrosphere

A

all water found on Earth

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8
Q

insolation

A

the amount of sunlight that reaches the earths surface

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9
Q

lithosphere

A

the outer layer of the earth comprising of the crust and upper mantle. Source of mineral resources

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10
Q

magnetosphere

A

the magnetic field that protects the atmosphere from solar winds (created by molten iron in earths core)

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11
Q

ozone layer

A

(O3) absorbs damaging UV light from reaching earths surface

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12
Q

photoautotroph

A

an organism that produces high energy food substances using sunlight in photosynthesis

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13
Q

specific heat capacity

A

the amount of energy required to raise temp of 1kg of substance by 1 degrees

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14
Q

stratosphere

A

is where ozone layer is . lies around 15-50 km above surface of the earth

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15
Q

abiotic factor

A

physical factor (non-living)

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16
Q

biome

A

a large geographical region with a specific climax and community of species

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17
Q

biotic factor

A

interactions associated with living organisms

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18
Q

carrying capacity

A

the greatest population which can be supported sustainably in an area

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19
Q

climax community

A

the relatively stable community at the end of ecological succession

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20
Q

community of species

A

made up of the populations of all species living in a particular area

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21
Q

deflected succession/plagioclimax

A

when ecological succession has been stopped by human actions to prevent climax community being reached

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22
Q

density dependant factor

A

factors that affect a larger population size i.e. competition, predation, food, shelter

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23
Q

ecological niche

A

role that an organism plays in its habitat including use of resources and its inter relationships with other species

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24
Q

ecosystem

A

community of organisms living in an area, their inter relationships and interactions with abiotic environment

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25
Q

hydrosere

A

plant succession from a body of water into a land community

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26
Q

inter species relationships

A

where 2 individuals from different species interact with one another. at least one benefits

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27
Q

k-selection

A

species that live close to carrying capacity, have a low breeding capacity, have few young, more likely to be over exploited

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28
Q

lithosere

A

plant succession from bare rock (newly exposed rock surface)

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29
Q

pioneer species

A

the first species to colonise an area at the start of succession. Normally well adapted to extreme abiotic conditions

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30
Q

population

A

all the individuals of a species living in a particular area

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31
Q

primary succession

A

organisms colonise a barren habitat, no soil present

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32
Q

range of tolerance

A

a range of conditions within which a species can survive

33
Q

R-selection

A

a species which have a high breeding capacity, exploit niches, young less likely to live, lots of young

34
Q

secondary succession

A

where the original climax community was disturbed, where there is soil present

35
Q

species

A

a group of organisms that resemble one another more than other organisms and that can reproduce to make fertile offspring

36
Q

symbiosis

A

inter species relationship between 2 animals which benefit from the activity of the other

37
Q

taxon

A

a group of organisms based biological similarities (domain, kingdom, phylum, class, order, family, genus, species)

38
Q

biogeochemical cycle

A

a series of processes linked together by living organisms which prevent the build up of waste and lack of resources

39
Q

biological control

A

a method to control pests by using living organisms i.e. pathogens/predators

40
Q

biomimetics

A

human engineering based off of living processes/organisms

41
Q

centre of diversity and what does CWR stand for

A

centres with high plant diversity

CWR = crop wild relatives

42
Q

decomposer

A

organisms that secrete enzymes which break down dead organic matter into nutrients that can be recycled back into soil

43
Q

detritivore

A

an organism which breaks down large dead organic matter into smaller pieces for decomposers

44
Q

interspecies relationship

A

the relationship between living organisms where at least one benefits off of the activity of the other

45
Q

parasite

A

an organism which lives on/in a host organism and benefits from the host by obtaining its nutrients

46
Q

pathogen

A

an organism which causes disease

47
Q

physiological research

A

easier to use organisms to help us understand the human body, leads to medical breakthroughs

48
Q

pollination

A

the act of transferring pollen from the male anther to the female stigma. Allows for fertilisation

49
Q

vavilov centre

A

area of the world were wild crops (CWR) are still found , where our domesticated crops originate from

50
Q

eradication

A

the reduction of a pop. by removal/culling

51
Q

over-exploitation

A

using a resource excessively. Can lead to extinction

52
Q

artificial insemination

A

form of selective breeding. Semen collected from chosen male and inserted into female. Semen can be stored for later

53
Q

CITES

A

Convention of International Trade of Endangered Species. Controls international trade of endangered species and products and reduces profit/market of them

54
Q

EDGE species

A

Evolutionary Distinct and Globally Endangered

species with a genetic distinctiveness of a particular taxon (no close relatives)

55
Q

embryo transfer

A

embryo and sperm collected. sperm injected into egg (in vitro) embryo planted into another female. Closely related species could be surrogate mother

56
Q

endemic species

A

species only found in a particular region, found nowhere else on Earth naturally)

57
Q

EU CFP

A

European Union Common Fisheries Policy.

regulations that encourage sustainable fishing in the EU

58
Q

Ex-situ conservation

A

conservation of a species outside natural habitat

59
Q

Flagship species

A

a species which is selected to act as an icon/symbol to raise support for conservation. Normally helps the other species living in that area also

60
Q

Gene pool

A

total number of all genes/alleles in a particular pop. at a given time

61
Q

Hard release

A

animal is given no support for release i.e. no food, no resources

62
Q

inbreeding

A

production of offspring from breeding closely related organisms, normally due to small gene pool

63
Q

ITTO

A

International Tropical Timber Organisation

promotes sustainable exports of tropical timber

64
Q

IUCN

A

International Union for Conservation of Nature
coordinating global data on biodiversity conservation. importance of biodiversity. Deploying nature based solutions to global challenges i.e. climate, food, sustainable development

65
Q

IWC

A

International Whaling Commission
aims to control whaling to ensure sustainable exploitation. Having designated sanctuaries, protection of mothers/calves. limits on how many taken

66
Q

Keystone species

A

a species which has a disproportionately large effect on it’s environment relative to its abundance

67
Q

LNR

A

Local nature reserve (controlled by local authorities)

68
Q

MCZ

A

Marine Conservation Zone (uk laws)

69
Q

MNR

A

Marine Nature Reserve

70
Q

MPA

A

Marine Protected Areas

71
Q

Natura Site 200 site

A

network of protected sites (EU)

72
Q

NNR

A

National Nature Reserve

73
Q

Ramsar site

A

Wetland site (international)

74
Q

SAC

A

Special Area of Conservation (EU)

75
Q

soft release

A

release from captivity with support i.e. food/let them acclimatise

76
Q

SPA

A

Special Protection Area (UK)

77
Q

SSSI

A

Sites of Special Scientific Importance (UK)

78
Q

Wildlife and Countryside Act

A

UK law: bans certain methods of killing or taking wild animals, restricts introduction of animals/plants, designation of protected areas i.e. SSSIs

Environmental science (19 decks)

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