Living Environment Key terminology Flashcards
albedo
measurement of reflectivity of a surface
ambient gases
mixture of gases from the unconfined portion of the atmosphere
atmosphere
gaseous envelope surrounding the earth held by the gravitational pull (mass of the earth)
biosphere
worldwide sum of all ecosystems
carbon sequestration
the removal of CO2 from the atmosphere i.e. afforestation, carbon capture
greenhouse gas
a gas that absorbs infrared radiation which causes atmospheric heating
hydrosphere
all water found on Earth
insolation
the amount of sunlight that reaches the earths surface
lithosphere
the outer layer of the earth comprising of the crust and upper mantle. Source of mineral resources
magnetosphere
the magnetic field that protects the atmosphere from solar winds (created by molten iron in earths core)
ozone layer
(O3) absorbs damaging UV light from reaching earths surface
photoautotroph
an organism that produces high energy food substances using sunlight in photosynthesis
specific heat capacity
the amount of energy required to raise temp of 1kg of substance by 1 degrees
stratosphere
is where ozone layer is . lies around 15-50 km above surface of the earth
abiotic factor
physical factor (non-living)
biome
a large geographical region with a specific climax and community of species
biotic factor
interactions associated with living organisms
carrying capacity
the greatest population which can be supported sustainably in an area
climax community
the relatively stable community at the end of ecological succession
community of species
made up of the populations of all species living in a particular area
deflected succession/plagioclimax
when ecological succession has been stopped by human actions to prevent climax community being reached
density dependant factor
factors that affect a larger population size i.e. competition, predation, food, shelter
ecological niche
role that an organism plays in its habitat including use of resources and its inter relationships with other species
ecosystem
community of organisms living in an area, their inter relationships and interactions with abiotic environment
hydrosere
plant succession from a body of water into a land community
inter species relationships
where 2 individuals from different species interact with one another. at least one benefits
k-selection
species that live close to carrying capacity, have a low breeding capacity, have few young, more likely to be over exploited
lithosere
plant succession from bare rock (newly exposed rock surface)
pioneer species
the first species to colonise an area at the start of succession. Normally well adapted to extreme abiotic conditions
population
all the individuals of a species living in a particular area
primary succession
organisms colonise a barren habitat, no soil present
range of tolerance
a range of conditions within which a species can survive
R-selection
a species which have a high breeding capacity, exploit niches, young less likely to live, lots of young
secondary succession
where the original climax community was disturbed, where there is soil present
species
a group of organisms that resemble one another more than other organisms and that can reproduce to make fertile offspring
symbiosis
inter species relationship between 2 animals which benefit from the activity of the other
taxon
a group of organisms based biological similarities (domain, kingdom, phylum, class, order, family, genus, species)
biogeochemical cycle
a series of processes linked together by living organisms which prevent the build up of waste and lack of resources
biological control
a method to control pests by using living organisms i.e. pathogens/predators
biomimetics
human engineering based off of living processes/organisms
centre of diversity and what does CWR stand for
centres with high plant diversity
CWR = crop wild relatives
decomposer
organisms that secrete enzymes which break down dead organic matter into nutrients that can be recycled back into soil
detritivore
an organism which breaks down large dead organic matter into smaller pieces for decomposers
interspecies relationship
the relationship between living organisms where at least one benefits off of the activity of the other
parasite
an organism which lives on/in a host organism and benefits from the host by obtaining its nutrients
pathogen
an organism which causes disease
physiological research
easier to use organisms to help us understand the human body, leads to medical breakthroughs
pollination
the act of transferring pollen from the male anther to the female stigma. Allows for fertilisation
vavilov centre
area of the world were wild crops (CWR) are still found , where our domesticated crops originate from
eradication
the reduction of a pop. by removal/culling
over-exploitation
using a resource excessively. Can lead to extinction
artificial insemination
form of selective breeding. Semen collected from chosen male and inserted into female. Semen can be stored for later
CITES
Convention of International Trade of Endangered Species. Controls international trade of endangered species and products and reduces profit/market of them
EDGE species
Evolutionary Distinct and Globally Endangered
species with a genetic distinctiveness of a particular taxon (no close relatives)
embryo transfer
embryo and sperm collected. sperm injected into egg (in vitro) embryo planted into another female. Closely related species could be surrogate mother
endemic species
species only found in a particular region, found nowhere else on Earth naturally)
EU CFP
European Union Common Fisheries Policy.
regulations that encourage sustainable fishing in the EU
Ex-situ conservation
conservation of a species outside natural habitat
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
Gene pool
total number of all genes/alleles in a particular pop. at a given time
Hard release
animal is given no support for release i.e. no food, no resources
inbreeding
production of offspring from breeding closely related organisms, normally due to small gene pool
ITTO
International Tropical Timber Organisation
promotes sustainable exports of tropical timber
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
IWC
International Whaling Commission
aims to control whaling to ensure sustainable exploitation. Having designated sanctuaries, protection of mothers/calves. limits on how many taken
Keystone species
a species which has a disproportionately large effect on it’s environment relative to its abundance
LNR
Local nature reserve (controlled by local authorities)
MCZ
Marine Conservation Zone (uk laws)
MNR
Marine Nature Reserve
MPA
Marine Protected Areas
Natura Site 200 site
network of protected sites (EU)
NNR
National Nature Reserve
Ramsar site
Wetland site (international)
SAC
Special Area of Conservation (EU)
soft release
release from captivity with support i.e. food/let them acclimatise
SPA
Special Protection Area (UK)
SSSI
Sites of Special Scientific Importance (UK)
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
