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Living Environment Key terminology 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
hydrosere
plant succession from a body of water into a land community
26
inter species relationships
where 2 individuals from different species interact with one another. at least one benefits
27
k-selection
species that live close to carrying capacity, have a low breeding capacity, have few young, more likely to be over exploited
28
lithosere
plant succession from bare rock (newly exposed rock surface)
29
pioneer species
the first species to colonise an area at the start of succession. Normally well adapted to extreme abiotic conditions
30
population
all the individuals of a species living in a particular area
31
primary succession
organisms colonise a barren habitat, no soil present
32
range of tolerance
a range of conditions within which a species can survive
33
R-selection
a species which have a high breeding capacity, exploit niches, young less likely to live, lots of young
34
secondary succession
where the original climax community was disturbed, where there is soil present
35
species
a group of organisms that resemble one another more than other organisms and that can reproduce to make fertile offspring
36
symbiosis
inter species relationship between 2 animals which benefit from the activity of the other
37
taxon
a group of organisms based biological similarities (domain, kingdom, phylum, class, order, family, genus, species)
38
biogeochemical cycle
a series of processes linked together by living organisms which prevent the build up of waste and lack of resources
39
biological control
a method to control pests by using living organisms i.e. pathogens/predators
40
biomimetics
human engineering based off of living processes/organisms
41
centre of diversity and what does CWR stand for
centres with high plant diversity | CWR = crop wild relatives
42
decomposer
organisms that secrete enzymes which break down dead organic matter into nutrients that can be recycled back into soil
43
detritivore
an organism which breaks down large dead organic matter into smaller pieces for decomposers
44
interspecies relationship
the relationship between living organisms where at least one benefits off of the activity of the other
45
parasite
an organism which lives on/in a host organism and benefits from the host by obtaining its nutrients
46
pathogen
an organism which causes disease
47
physiological research
easier to use organisms to help us understand the human body, leads to medical breakthroughs
48
pollination
the act of transferring pollen from the male anther to the female stigma. Allows for fertilisation
49
vavilov centre
area of the world were wild crops (CWR) are still found , where our domesticated crops originate from
50
eradication
the reduction of a pop. by removal/culling
51
over-exploitation
using a resource excessively. Can lead to extinction
52
artificial insemination
form of selective breeding. Semen collected from chosen male and inserted into female. Semen can be stored for later
53
CITES
Convention of International Trade of Endangered Species. Controls international trade of endangered species and products and reduces profit/market of them
54
EDGE species
Evolutionary Distinct and Globally Endangered | species with a genetic distinctiveness of a particular taxon (no close relatives)
55
embryo transfer
embryo and sperm collected. sperm injected into egg (in vitro) embryo planted into another female. Closely related species could be surrogate mother
56
endemic species
species only found in a particular region, found nowhere else on Earth naturally)
57
EU CFP
European Union Common Fisheries Policy. | regulations that encourage sustainable fishing in the EU
58
Ex-situ conservation
conservation of a species outside natural habitat
59
Flagship species
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
Gene pool
total number of all genes/alleles in a particular pop. at a given time
61
Hard release
animal is given no support for release i.e. no food, no resources
62
inbreeding
production of offspring from breeding closely related organisms, normally due to small gene pool
63
ITTO
International Tropical Timber Organisation | promotes sustainable exports of tropical timber
64
IUCN
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
IWC
International Whaling Commission aims to control whaling to ensure sustainable exploitation. Having designated sanctuaries, protection of mothers/calves. limits on how many taken
66
Keystone species
a species which has a disproportionately large effect on it's environment relative to its abundance
67
LNR
Local nature reserve (controlled by local authorities)
68
MCZ
Marine Conservation Zone (uk laws)
69
MNR
Marine Nature Reserve
70
MPA
Marine Protected Areas
71
Natura Site 200 site
network of protected sites (EU)
72
NNR
National Nature Reserve
73
Ramsar site
Wetland site (international)
74
SAC
Special Area of Conservation (EU)
75
soft release
release from captivity with support i.e. food/let them acclimatise
76
SPA
Special Protection Area (UK)
77
SSSI
Sites of Special Scientific Importance (UK)
78
Wildlife and Countryside Act
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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