the current geologic interval, in which human activities are leaving a global impact on the earth
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mass extinction
increased rate of extinction over a short period of time
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3
How many major extinction events occurred in the past?
five
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greatest mass extinction
occurred in the Permian, about 90% of species went extinct
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5
endangered species
currently at a high risk of extinction in the wild
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6
threatened species
likely to become endangered in the future
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niche
specific habitat of a species
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endemic species
only live in a single area; more likely to become extinct than a widely distributed species
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desertification
conversion of grasslands or woodlands to desert conditions
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deforestation
encourages flooding and raises landslide risk. reduces soil fertility, affects local weather
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pollutants
can be natural or man-made substances released into soil, air, or water in greater than natural amounts
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acid rain
low pH rain formed when sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides mix with water vapor in the atmosphere
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bioaccumulation
an organism accumulates increasing amounts of a chemical pollutant in its tissues over the course of its lifetime
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14
where do pollutant accumulate in animals?
in the fatty tissues
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15
biological magnification
concentration of a chemical increases as the pollutant as it moves to higher trophic levels/up the food chain
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ozone layer
region of high ozone concentration in the upper atmosphere between 10.5-17 mi above sea level. benefits living organisms by absorbing most UV radiation
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ozone hole
a very pronounced thinning of the ozone layer over Antarctica
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18
near-ground ozone pollution
ozone is naturally found very little near the ground so it is considered a pollutant. irritates eyes and respiratory tracts, effects plant growth
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19
biodiversity
measured in three levels: genetically within a species, species diversity, and ecosystem diversity
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conservation biology
field of applied biology that surveys the range of biodiversity and finds ways to maintain and use it to benefit human populations
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biodiversity hot spot
threatened region with great biodiversity that is considered high priority for conservation efforts
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ecological restoration
work designed to renew or recreate a natural ecosystem that has been degraded or destroyed, fully or in part
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