APES FINAL

Watershed

It’s a land area that channels rainfall and snowmelt to creeks, streams, and rivers, and eventually to outflow points such as reservoirs, bays, and the ocean.

Hydrologic Unit Codes

What the drainage basin or size is depended on and it is based on the geography that is most relevant to its specific area.

What happens from mulitple water sources flowing to the watershed?

They flow from higher ground rivers to bigger bodies of water. They pick up pollutants and can have bad  effects on the ecology of the watershed and where the water ends up.

Where else can watersheds flow to?

The ground/ to ground water

Why do watersheds matter?

They determine both the water quality and the availability. They sustain ecosystems, support agriculture, and manage storm water.

How are watersheds affect by urbanization?

more water is needed for residents, industry, and businesses. Increased demand can strain local watersheds, making water conservation and management essential for long-term sustainability.

How can watersheds affected?

They can also be depleted faster than they can be refilled. They are also affected by pollution from agriculture, industrial and urban pollution, and deforestation and erosion.

How are they protected?

by implementing better land-use practices like reforestation and sustainable farming, reducing pollution, and encouraging water conservation efforts. 

Salinization

is the process by which water or soil becomes overly concentrated with dissolved salts.

How can you fix salinization?

by switching to drip irrigation or using leaching with non-saline freshwater. Also, by improving water quality when farming and changing the crops that are used. 

How does salinization harm crops

by restricting water absorption, by causing ion toxicity, and nutrient imbalances. It can make drought like conditions.

Niche

refers to the specific role or position that an organism occupies within its ecosystem, including interactions with other organisms and how it uses its resources.

Ecological niche

The totality of an organism's adaptions, its use of resources, and the lifestyle to which it is fitted

Fundamental niche

The potential, idealized ecological niche of an organism

Realized niche

The lifestyle an organism actually pursues and the resources it actually uses.

What can a niche do?

helps dictate ecosystem stability

Specialist vs. Generalist

Specialists have narrow niches. Generalists have broad niches.

Monoculture

a type of farming that involves planting only one type of one crop, often over large areas.

Causes of monoculture

It can cause biodiversity loss, depletes soil nutrients, soil degradation, and can cause reliance on synthetic chemicals.

Pest cause of monoculture

It also makes them more vulnerable for pests and diseases because reduced biodiversity they can not fight it off as much since it can move faster.

Economy effects of monoculture

because of the reliance on the single crop can cause for sensitivities to failure or price crashes.

Herbicide

It is a chemical or a natural substance that is used to control or destroy unwanted plants.

Selective vs. Non-selective Herbicide

Selective: targets specific weeds without harming desired plants. Non-selective: kills everything

Systemic herbicides

Absorbed by the plant and translocated to the roots. Kills the entire plant.

Contact Herbicides

Only kills the plant tissue that the chemical touches, leaving roots untouched.

What can overuse of herbicides do?

soil degradation, water pollution from runoff, and can cause harm by destroying non-target plants and insects.

More effects of herbicides use

biodiversity loss with the board-spectrum since it destroys native plants, Can cause water continuation, herbicide resistance, crop damage, and can harm humans by creating respiratory issues.

How can herbicide overuse be fixed?

by physically remove existing weeds and by improving soil health by watering and mowing correctly.

Secondary Succession not Primary

Succession where fertile soil and seed banks already exist so it happens significant faster than primary succession.

Secondary Succession

it is ecosystem recovery that occurs after a disturbance disrupts an established community, but leaves the soil intact.

Causes of Secondary Succession

wildfires, floods, hurricanes, landslides, droughts, deforestation, clearing, and abandoning a crop field.

Pioneer Species

grasses, weeds, and fast-growing annual plants. They have rapid growth and dispersal rates which make them colonize the disturbed area first. 

Intermediate Stage

shrubs, bushes, and fast growing trees like pines or aspens. As the organic material and soil quality improve move larger, shade intolerant woody plants outcompete the grasses. This is a rapid rise in gross productivity and diversity.

Climax Stage

There are mature, slow-growing, shade tolerant trees. The ecosystem reaches a state of stability and the canopy closes limiting sunlight reaching the forest floor and preventing the growth of earlier successional plants.