Life Science Chapter 3

Biosphere

the sum of the locations where life exists on Earth, including the ocean and the atmosphere

Climate

the average weather patterns in a given area over time; defined by temperature and precipitation

Global Warming

primarily associated with increases in the surface temperature

Climate Change

the change in the average weather patterns in an area over time; associated with temperature and precipitation

Greenhouse Gases

compounds that trap heat near the Earth’s surface; normally present within the atmosphere; helps maintain the climate of the planet within a range that supports life

Greenhouse Effect

phenomenon where greenhouse gases retain heat in the lower atmosphere; any gas can contribute

Carbon Dioxide (CO2)

found in small concentrations in the atmosphere (parts per million); has the ability to absorb infrared energy; produced through natural events; plants use to produce carbohydrates

Methane (CH4)

rare gas in the atmosphere (parts per billion); retains and releases almost 30 times the amount of heat as CO2; produced by livestock and agriculture

Water Vapor (H2O)

natural processes associated with the water cycle

Nitrous Oxide (N2O)

agricultural practices such as the use of fertilizers and the burning of fossil fuels

Ozone (O3)

Natural processes and the interaction of solar energy with pollutants in the lower atmosphere

Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs)

compounds used in refrigerants and to make spray propellants

Carbonic Acid

produced when carbon dioxide enters the ocean, leading to ocean acidification and negative impacts on shellfish and coral

Carbonate

assists in the formation of shells for crabs, lobsters, and clams, as well as coral reef body structures; decreases as acidity increases

Direct Relationship

global temperatures and atmospheric carbon dioxide concentrations have a ______.

Fossil Fuels

a fuel source that has been formed within the Earth from plant and animal remains; includes oil, natural gas, coal, and shale; the burning of these represents one of the biggest contributors to the increase of atmospheric carbon dioxide concentrations

Vectors

carriers of disease-causing agents between individuals (ex: mosquitos and ticks)

Heat Waves

more people die each year in the US from these (and related illnesses) than any other climate-associated factor

Bramble Cay melomys (melomys rubicola)

believed to be the first mammal to become extinct due to climate change

Unable to adapt

climate change is occurring so fast that species are ______ fast enough.

Population

organisms of the same species living in a particular area (ex: a single group of parrotfish)

Species

all of the populations of organisms that are similar in appearance and have the ability to interbreed (ex: all parrotfish)

Community

populations of different species interacting in a given area (ex: coral reef)

Ecosystem

interaction of a community and the physical environment (climate including temperature and precipitation) (ex: ocean ecosystem)

Biosphere

the sum of the regions of the Earth (water, surface, atmosphere) where living organisms are found (ex: ocean, atmosphere, land)

Community

level of biological organization representing the interaction of living organisms within an ecosystem (ex: coral reef with all plants and animals)

Ecosystem

level of biological organization representing the interaction of biological communities (the living/biotic factors) and nonliving/abiotic factors, such as climate (ex: ocean ecosystem with all plants, animals, and nonliving factors like sand, rocks, ocean temperature, salinity, pH)

Coral Reefs

one of the most diverse forms of biological communities on the planet

Invasive Species

one that has been introduced into places outside its natural range; no known predators; can adapt to changing environmental conditions; usually introduced by humans; often negatively impact the biodiversity, community structure, and functioning ecosystem of the native area

Climate Change

global phenomenon that can disrupt ecosystem functions across the globe

Observations of Climate Change

average temperatures have increase (majority occurring since the 21st century); rate of regional heat waves is increasing; rate of extreme precipitation and droughts is increasing

Drier

climate change has caused the west and southeast US to be

Increased precipitation

climate change has caused the central and northeast US to experience

Biome

area of the planet characterized by the climate and the types of organisms living in that area; to main determining factors are temp and precipitation

Zooxanthellae

symbiotic organisms with coral; they leave the coral when they are too hot/uncomfortable

Desertification

an increase in temperature and a decrease in precipitation lead to the formation of this biome; deforestation and poor agricultural practices can also contribute

Carbon Footprint

a calculation of the amount of carbon that is directly or indirectly released into the Earth’s atmosphere by the actions of a specific entity (person, country, business); usually measured in tons of carbon dioxide

Energy Choices

the actual source of energy is important when considering carbon emissions (ex: power from fossil fuels releases more CO2 than wind or solar)

Food Choices

fruits and vegetables contribute less to a carbon footprint than red meats or diary products

Heat Sink

a temporary storage location for heat energy; the ocean acts as one

Temperature Anomaly

the difference in temperature from a baseline average