Principles Of Ecology Quiz #1 Flashcards
Restoration
Process of returning ecosystems and habitats to original structure and species composition
Restoration Ecology
Field of study that provides the scientific background and underpinnings for practical ecological restoration. The science upon which ecological restoration is based.
Ecological Restoration
The practice of restoring ecosystems as performed by practitioners at specific project sites. Intends to alter degraded biota and physical conditions at a site.
Reclamation
Typical referring to mines, main objective includes stabilization of terrain, assurance of public safety, and aesthetic improvement. Usually returning the land to a useful purpose. Often leads to ‘dead’ ends’ dy directing ecosystem to wrong trajectory and causing it to fail. They should included Bee Assisted Remediation and Rough and Loose techniques.
What method usually results in ‘dead ends’ and how to avoid it
Reclamation, rough and loose
What is Revegetation
A subcompoent of reclamation, which is the establishment of one or few species. Can lead to ecological dead ends.
Rehabilitation
Uses historical or pre-existing ecosystems as models or references (same as restoration) but rehabilitation emphasis the reparation of ecosystem processes, productivity, and services
Difference between rehabilitation and restoration
Restoration focuses on restoring historic species composition and structure where as rehabilitation focuses on restoring historic ecological processes, productivity, and services.
Mitigation
To make less severe or serious, used to compensate for environmental damage. It is usually required as a condition for issuing permit for development that would cause damage to environment.
Remediation
Moderates the effects of a degrading situation. To Remedy environmental damage. Usually associated with removal or pollution or contaminants from soil, groundwater, sediment, or surface water. For general protection of human health and environment or from a brownfield site intended for redevelopemnt.
Rewilding
Large-scale conservation aimed at restoring and protecting core wilderness areas. Provides connectivity between areas. Protects or reintroduces extirpated apex predators and keystone species.
Ecological Engineering
Manipulating natural materials, living organisms, and physical-chemical environment to achieve specific human goals and solve ecological problems. Requires predictability, which is a primary consideration in ecological engineering. When predictability is not an issues might qualify as ecological restoration. e.g. willow dams
Enhancement
Increasing quality and is subjective and depends on context or point of view. This is an anthropogenic attitude. Few projects really exist.
How long have humans lived on the planet?
200,000 years
Distinguishing Characteristics of Humans
Burying dead, making clothes, hunting techniques, cave painting
What is the Eutrophication Processes
Addition of phosphorus and nitrogen from 1. nutrient runoff 2. warm surface layer 3. algal bloom 4. algae sink & decay and 5. oxygen depleted layter
Main Global Problems with soil (20th century)
- Soil contamination (chemical and metallurgical industries)
- Salinization (salt in soil decreases osmotic potential of soil so harder for plants to take water from it)
- Erosion
- Land use changes (agriculture, humans using land)
Decay of Ozone Hole
The ozone hole is typically largest during the cold months, as this is when the layer is thinnest. In Antarctica, the hole is largest between the months of September and November, which is the South Pole’s Spring Time. Average ozoen in atmosphere is 300 Dobson Units. 20th century effects of air is ozone depletion.
What 4 human activities cause the most ecosystem stress?
- Transformation of Landscape
- Overexploitation of Species
- Pollution
- Exotic Species Introduction
What great extinction are we in now
the 6th great extinction
What is occuring in the “dead zone”
Eutrophication
Name two reasons for the 6th great extinction period
- transformation of the landscape
- pollution
Unit of measurement for thickness of ozone
Dobson Units
What four factors reduced human mortality and have been identified as the principal drivers of increased global population growth since the mid 1800s?
- immunization
- disinfection of drinking water
- pasteurization of food
- increased sanitization
