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biology
sustainability
the ability of the biosphere to maintain its balance indefinitely and keep lifeforms in check
Biogeochemical cycle
the pathways of matter in the biosphere and geosphere on a chemical level
the water cycle
transpiration, evaporation, condensation, precipitation
Where is most of the earth’s oxygen?
trapped in minerals in the earth
what releases most of the free oxygen
photosynthesis in plants and phytoplankton
Oxygen cycle
oxygen is released through photosynthesis, taken in by bacteria, animals, and people, expelling carbon dioxide, the carbon dioxide is taken back in by the plants and converted into oxygen
The nitrogen cycle
bacteria absorb nitrogen using nitrogen fixation, is converted into ammonia, the ammonia is broken down by water into ammonium ions, nitrates, and nitrites, absorbed by plant roots
where is most nitrogen found
in lightning strikes
Population density
the number of individuals in a certain amount of space
eutrophication
the process in which algae disrupt the flow of carbon and oxygen and lower a lake’s biodiversity
limiting factors
factors that limit the growth of a population
exponential growth
the rapid rate of growth if the population could reproduce endlessly
carrying capacity
the maximum number in a population that an area can sustain
primary succession
succession that begins with a barren landscape
succession
the change of a biotic community over time
pioneer species
plants and animals that are the first to return to an area and are usually short-lived
secondary succession
succession in a disturbed landscape that already has soil
climax species
stable, long-lived species that mark the end of succession
system
a part of the universe under study
greenhouse gases
carbon dioxide, nitrous oxide, methane, and water vapor
Carbon footprint
the amount of greenhouse gases people release when they burn carbon-containing fuels
ecological footprint
how humans relate to the carrying capacity of the earth
climate change
the change of global temperatures and weather patterns over time
invasive species
organisms that move into a habitat where they are not native and compete with the native species for resources
bioremediation
a technique that uses organisms to remove or neutralize hazardous materials
