APES Review: Unit 9 Global Change

All terms and Concepts

Ozone Depleting Substances

Human made chemicals that destroy ozone by splitting its molecules apart.

Ozone Layer

Ozone in the lower atmosphere. Blocks incoming ultraviolet radiation. Protects life from radiation's damaging effects.

Halocarbons

Human made compounds made from hydrocarbons with added chlorine, bromine, or fluorine.

Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs)

A halocarbon used as refrigerants, in fire extinguishers, in aerosol cans, etc. Releases chlorine atoms that split ozone.

The Antarctic Ozone Hole

Ice clouds in the stratosphere above the Antarctic contain nitric acid which splits chlorine off of CFCs. Freed Cl atoms accumulate in the clouds in the winter and are trapped over Antarctica, swirling around in a polar vortex (swirling winds). UV radiation in September (spring) sunshine dissipates the clouds and releases the chlorine which destroys the ozone.

The Montreal Protocol

196 nations agreed to cut CFC production in half by 1998. Considered our biggest environmental success story. Stopped the ozone hole from growing.

methane

caused by animal waste

nitrous oxide

caused by chemical manufacturing plants and auto emissions

paleoclimate

climate of the geological past

proxy indicators

Indirect evidence that serve as substitute for direct measurements.

greenhouse gases

carbon dioxide, nitrous oxide, methane, ozone

greenhouse effect

a vital process, required for life to exist on earth. If accelerated, bad, leads to global warming.

inversion layer

the band of air where temperature rises with altitude.

thermal inversion

a layer of cool air occurs beneath warm air.

Extinction

occurs when the last member of a species ceases to exist

Habitat alteration

the greatest cause of biodiversity loss

Habitat Fragmentation

gradual, separation and degradation of a habitat

Overharvesting

effects k-selected species, long lived and produce few young

Climate Change (effect on biodiversity)

Human manipulation of Earth's climate system has global impacts on biodiversity

Clean Water Acts

Regulates and enforces all discharge into water sources and wetland destruction/construction

International Environmental Protection Act

Authroized the president to assist countries in protecting and maintaining wildlife habitat and provides an active role in conservation

Wild and Scenic Rivers Act

Selected rivers in the United States are preserved for possessing outstandingly, remarkable scenic, recreational, geologic,fish and wildlife, historic, cultural, or other similar values

Wilderness Act

Allowed Congress to set aside federally owned land for preservation

Stratospheric Ozone

Good ozone that keeps out ultraviolet radiation from reaching the earth's surface.

Ulraviolet Radiation

A type of energy that comes to earth from the sun,can damage skin and cause cancer,and is mostly absorbed by the ozone layer.

Negative effects of ozone depletion

Increased UV radiation, skin cancer, cataracts, and decreased plant growth.

Effects of global warming

Rising sea levels (due to thermal expansion not melting ice), extreme weather, droughts (famine), and extinctions.

Global Climate change

Describes trends in Earth's climate, involving aspects such as temperature, precipitation, storm frequency and intensity.

Global Warming

Refers specifically to an increase in Earth's average surface temperature.

latitudinal gradient

species richness increases toward the equator

biodiversity

variety of life at all levels of organization

richness

the number of species

5 Primary Causes of population decline

habitat alteration, invasive species, pollution, over harvesting, global climate change

Endangered Species Act (1973)

The primary U.S. legislation for protecting biodiversity. It forbids the government and citizens from taking actions that destroy endangered species or their habitats.

UN Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (1973) (CITES)

Protects endangered species by banning international transport of their body parts.

Ways to protect biodiversity

Captive breeding, reintroductions of species, parks and protected lands.