TOTAL BIONINJA COMPILTATION (flashcards)

Pollutants

Substances released into an environment that have a damaging effect.

Anthropogenic

Man-made; refers to pollutants that originate from human activity.

Eutrophication

Enrichment of ecosystems with chemical nutrients (e.g. nitrate, phosphate), often leading to harmful algal blooms.

Algal Bloom

A rapid growth of algal populations due to increased nutrient availability.

Saprotrophic Microbes

Decomposers that thrive on dead organic material, leading to increased biochemical oxygen demand.

Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD)

The amount of dissolved oxygen needed by aerobic microorganisms to decompose organic material.

Eutrophication Consequences

Includes reduced biodiversity, increased water treatment costs, and impacts on commercial fishing.

Regulation of Pollution

Control measures to manage pollutant discharge and protect human and environmental health.

Biomagnification

The process by which chemical substances become more concentrated at each trophic level.

DDT (Dichloro-Diphenyl-Trichloroethane)

A fat-soluble pesticide that accumulates in organisms through biomagnification.

Mercury

A heavy metal that can be converted into toxic methylmercury and biomagnified in the food chain.

Macroplastic

Large plastic debris greater than 1 mm in size.

Microplastic

Small plastic debris less than 1 mm in size, more likely to absorb toxins.

Combustion

The process of burning carbon compounds, primarily fossil fuels, leading to CO2 emissions.

Carbon Dioxide (CO2) Emissions

Release of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere as a result of fossil fuel combustion.

Greenhouse Gases

Gases that trap heat in the atmosphere, essential for maintaining Earth's temperature.

Greenhouse Effect

A natural process where the Earth's atmosphere traps heat from the sun.

Enhanced Greenhouse Effect

An increase in greenhouse gas concentrations due to human activities, leading to climate change.

Methane

A potent greenhouse gas produced from landfills and agricultural practices.

Positive Feedback Cycle

A cycle where global warming leads to higher emissions of greenhouse gases, furthering climate change.

Ocean as Carbon Sink

The ocean absorbs a significant amount of anthropogenic CO2 emissions, but its capacity is reduced at warmer temperatures.

Albedo

The extent to which a surface reflects light; ice has a high albedo.

Permafrost

Ground that remains permanently frozen for over two years, which releases CO2 as it melts.

Climate Change Impacts

Predicted environmental consequences such as Melting ice, range shifts, changes in ocean currents, and coral reef threats.

Melting of Polar Ice

Loss of sea ice affecting breeding patterns of species like Emperor penguins and walruses.

Range Shift of Species

Migration of species towards poles or higher elevations due to changing climate conditions.

Ocean Currents Changes

Alterations in ocean currents impacting heat and nutrient distribution.

Coral Bleaching

Expulsion of algae from coral polyps due to elevated ocean temperatures.

Ocean Acidification

Reduction in pH levels of ocean water due to increased CO2 absorption, affecting marine life.

Carbon Sequestration

The process of capturing and storing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.

Regeneration

Replanting trees in deforested areas to enhance carbon sequestration.

Afforestation

Planting new forests in previously un-forested areas to sequester carbon.

Peat-forming Wetlands

Natural carbon sinks that store carbon and can be restored for enhanced sequestration.

Plastic Pollution

Environmental contamination caused by synthetic polymers that are not biodegradable.

UV Radiation

Ultraviolet radiation from the sun that degrades macroplastics into microplastics.

Ecosystem Health

The condition of an environment and the organisms it supports, affected by pollution.

Eutrophication Remedies

Strategies to minimize eutrophication include controlling sewage discharge and reducing fertilizer use.

Chemical Fertilizers

Artificial substances added to soil to enhance plant growth that can cause eutrophication.

Nutrient Runoff

Movement of excess nutrients from land into waterways, often leading to algal blooms.

Carbon Sink

An ecosystem component that absorbs more carbon dioxide than it releases.

Forest Browning

A phenomenon caused by drought that leads to premature wilting and leaf loss in trees.

Legacy Carbon Combustion

Release of stored carbon from burning vegetation, contributing to atmospheric CO2.

Photosynthesis

The process by which green plants convert sunlight into chemical energy, involving CO2 absorption.

Ecosystem Collapse

The failure of an ecosystem's structure due to climatic changes and unsustainable practices.

Trophic Levels

Levels of a food chain representing different stages of energy transfer from producers to consumers.

Ecosystem Biodiversity

The variety of life forms within a given ecosystem, which is affected by pollution and climate change.

Carbon Cycle

The series of processes by which carbon compounds are interconverted in the environment.

Restoration Ecology

The scientific study aimed at restoring ecosystems that have been degraded.

Anthropocene

A term used to describe the current geological epoch viewed as the period during which human activity has been the dominant influence on climate and the environment.

Air Quality Regulation

Policies and practices aimed at reducing air pollution and its health impacts.

Biodiversity Loss

Decline in the number and variety of species in a given habitat due to environmental stressors.

Atmospheric Carbon Levels

Current concentrations of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, significantly higher than historical levels.

Population

A group of organisms of the same species, living in the same area at the same time.

Natality

The rate of births contributing to population growth.

Mortality

The rate of deaths contributing to population decrease.

Immigration

The arrival of individuals from outside a population, increasing its size.

Emigration

The departure of individuals from a population, decreasing its size.

Population Sampling

The process of estimating the total size of a population by counting individuals in small areas.

Sampling Error

The difference between the estimated population size and the true population size.

Random Sampling

Sampling where points are selected randomly to avoid bias.

Systematic Sampling

Sampling at fixed intervals throughout the area.

Quadrat Sampling

A method using a rectangular frame to measure population density of non-motile species.

Lincoln Index

A formula used to estimate population size of motile species using capture-mark-release-recapture.

Exponential Growth Phase

Initially slow population growth due to few individuals, followed by rapid growth as natality exceeds mortality.

Transitional Phase

Phase where competition arises as resources become limited, increasing mortality rates.

Plateau Phase

Population growth stabilizes as natality rates equal mortality rates.

Intraspecific Relationships

Interactions occurring between members of the same species, including cooperation and competition.

Carrying Capacity

The maximum population size that the environment can sustainably support.

Density-Dependent Factors

Factors whose effects on population depend on population density.

Predator-Prey Relationships

The dynamic interaction where one organism (predator) hunts another organism (prey).

Community

A group of populations living together and interacting within a given area.

Herbivory

An interaction where herbivores eat only plants, affecting plant health.

Predation

An interaction where one organism (predator) hunts and eats another (prey).

Interspecific Competition

Competition between different species for the same resources.

Symbiosis

A close and persistent interaction between two different species.

Mutualism

A symbiotic relationship where both species benefit.

Commensalism

A symbiotic relationship where one species benefits and the other is unaffected.

Parasitism

A symbiotic relationship where one species benefits at the expense of the other.

Allelopathy

The release of chemicals by organisms to inhibit the growth of others.

Invasive Species

Non-native species that negatively impact native populations.

Population Control

Influence on population size by either top-down or bottom-up factors.

Chi-Squared Test

A statistical test to determine if there is a significant association between two species.

Habitat

The environment in which a community or organism typically lives.

Limiting Factors

Components that limit the distribution and numbers of populations.

Transects

Lines used for assessing species distribution across a measurable distance.

Coral Reefs

Marine ecosystems formed by coral polyps in symbiosis with zooxanthellae algae.

Biome

A large geographical area with a particular climate supporting specific communities.

Adaptations

Characteristics that enhance survival and reproduction in specific environments.

Coastal Sand Dunes

Habitats characterized by low nutrient availability and adapted species like marram grasses.

Mangrove Swamps

Wetlands with waterlogged soils, adapted mangrove species exhibit aerial root systems.

Hot Deserts

Dry environments with extreme temperature variations, supporting xerophyte species.

Tropical Rainforests

Biodiverse ecosystems with high rainfall and layered vegetation structure.

Biome Distribution

Determined by temperature and rainfall, displayed in climographs.

Desert

Biomes with extreme temperatures and low precipitation, supporting limited species.

Grassland

Biomes with moderate temperatures and seasonal rainfall, dominated by grasses.

Temperate Forest

Biomes characterized by moderate temperatures, deciduous trees and high productivity.

Tropical Forest

High biodiversity biomes with consistently warm temperatures and high rainfall.

Boreal Forest (Taiga)

Cold biomes with coniferous trees and low productivity.

Tundra

Extremely cold biomes with minimal rainfall, supporting few migratory species.

Ecosystem

Interactions between organisms and their abiotic environment.