Midterm Flashcards

1
Q

Factors that contributed to easter island env collapse

A
-island env
Overexploitation
Erosion of cleared land
Degradation of soil and water
Stratified society: unable to adapt to changing conditions
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2
Q

Contemporary human stressors on global environment

A
Pop growth
Consumption of resources
Waste production
Alteration of global biophysical processes (ex global temp change)
Alien chemicals & organisms
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3
Q

Tragedy of the commons

A

When individs exploit a shared resource independently and rationally to a point where it becomes unavailable to some or all

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4
Q

Alien chemicals

A

Ex. Cfcs
International trade
Purple loosestrife
Ash borer

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5
Q

Cumulative change

A

Similar types that happen in different parts
Impact adds up
Deforestation, biodiversity loss, desertification, toxicity,etx

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6
Q

Systemic change

A

Global change/ function/impact
Cant modify one component
Ex. Atmospheric systems
Ocean circulation, greenhouse gas emissions

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7
Q

Earth

A

Set of complex, interconnected systems

Changes in one system causes change in another

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8
Q

Enlightenment

A

Break away from creationism, focus on empiricism

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9
Q

Environment/climactic determinism

A

Human behaviour and activities are dictated by the physical env
Ex. Being promiscuous, relaxation in tropical climate

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10
Q

Post-war quantitative science: a revolution

A

New technologies developed during war allowed for increased scientific measurement of environmental features

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11
Q

Rote learning

A

Memorization based on repetition

Contrast to critical thinking

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12
Q

Ecosystem

A

Interaction btwn biotic and abiotic communities

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13
Q

Abiotic factors-conditions

A

Temp, ph, wind, salinity, etc

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14
Q

Abiotic factors- resources

A

Water, light, minerals, oxygen

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15
Q

Inorganic matter

A

May contain C but lack the carbon bonds found in organic matter

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16
Q

Organic matter

A

Compound made up of carbon atoms (and usually hydrogen) and may contain nitrogen, oxygen, sulphur or phosphorus.

17
Q

Biome

A

Large regions of biotic communities with major vegetation and species types
Depends on abiotic factors
TEMPERATURE AND PRECIPITATION
Groupings of similar ecosystems

18
Q

Evolution

A

Gradual change in species over time

19
Q

Artificial selection

A

Humans selecting traits

Ex, dog breeds, food

20
Q

Species

A

Group of similar orgs that can reproduce fertile offspring

21
Q

Lamark

A

Soft inheritance

Org can pass characteristics it acquired during lifetime

22
Q

Habitat

A

Abiotic and biotic conditions to which a species is adapted

23
Q

Ecological niche

A

How organism/ or pop responds to distribution or resources and competitors

24
Q

Fundamental niche

A

With no competitors

Humans

25
Realized niche
Competition btwn species
26
Specialists
Species found in only certain location bc of specific requirements Ex koala
27
Generalists
Broad tolerance to many environments | Racoons, humans, squirrels
28
Open system
Energy and matter free to exchange with surroundings
29
Closed system
Only energy flows. Matter is conained
30
Positive feedback loop example
Ice caps melting | Warmer temp- melting of ice-more sunlight absorbed by water and land--
31
Ecotone
Transition area btwn ecosystems More diversity in species Less species but more diversity
32
Optimal range and limits of tolerance
Temperature at which species can survive/grow
33
Climate
``` Temperature Humidity Atm pressure Wind Rainfall ```
34
Factors that limit ecosystems
Climate Geology Water availability Altitude
35
Geology
Nutrients available from weathered rock/ soil | Physical surface conducive to growing plants?
36
Altitude
1 alt: 800 km lat
37
Complexity
Many interacting agents While hard to predict, have a good deal of structure (Not chaos)
38
Entropy
State of disorder | Increases if you stop adding energy (cleaning your room ex)