APES Midterm

What is the estimated age of Earth?

4.6 billion years old.

How long have humans existed approximately?

90,000 to 200,000 years.

What was a major result of the Agricultural Revolution?

Shift from hunter-gatherers to settled communities.

What technique is used in early agriculture for sustainability?

Slash-and-burn technique.

What was a significant impact of the Industrial Revolution?

Increased reliance on non-renewable resources.

What does globalization impact in terms of the environment?

Increased knowledge and technology, but also cultural homogenization and degradation.

What is one effect of hunter-gatherer societies on the environment?

Shifted forests to grasslands.

What did early agricultural practices use to help restore soil?

Cover crops.

What led to increased population and urban migration during the industrial period?

Reliance on fossil fuels.

What time frame marks the U.S. Environmental Era?

1960 to present.

Who is considered the 'father of modern ecology'?

George Evelyn Hutchinson.

What act was designed to protect U.S. federal land resources in 1891?

Forest Reserve Act.

What did John Muir advocate for?

Preservation of natural areas.

What is the goal of the Wilderness Act of 1964?

To protect designated areas as legally defined wilderness.

What is a key difference between conservationists and preservationists?

Conservationists advocate for sustainable resource use; preservationists advocate for untouched nature.

What did Aldo Leopold promote?

A land ethic that respects the environment.

Which book by Rachel Carson raised awareness about environmental issues?

Silent Spring.

What is a key characteristic of the ecological perspective introduced during the 1969 Apollo mission?

Earth as a fragile, interconnected system.

What does the scientific process begin with?

A question.

What must a hypothesis be in scientific inquiry?

Explanatory, predictive, and reproducible.

What defines a scientific theory?

A thoroughly tested and reliable hypothesis.

What is a controlled experiment?

An experiment isolating a single variable for testing.

What is inductive reasoning?

Moving from specific observations to broader generalizations.

What is the critical aspect of scientific reasoning according to the notes?

Identifying logical fallacies.

What is a paradigm shift in scientific understanding?

A significant change in accepted beliefs.

What are ecosystems made up of?

Interactions between biotic (living) and abiotic (nonliving) components.

In a food chain, who are the primary producers?

Plants and chemosynthetic bacteria.

What role do decomposers play in ecosystems?

They recycle nutrients.

What is an ecological niche?

The role and position a species has in its environment.

What can limit a species' survival according to Shelford’s Law of Tolerance?

Extreme conditions in environmental factors.

What is biodiversity?

The variety of life in an ecosystem.

What is a positive feedback loop?

A process that amplifies changes in a system.

What is the significance of the carbon cycle?

It regulates Earth's climate.

What distinguishes a watershed in a river ecosystem?

The area draining into the river system.

What is an example of primary succession?

Plant colonization on cooled lava or glacial retreat.

What does the Intermediate Disturbance Hypothesis state?

Moderate disturbances can increase species diversity.

What is the definition of mutualism?

A relationship where both species benefit.

How do invasive species affect ecosystems?

They can outcompete native species for resources.

What is the role of keystone species?

They are critical for maintaining the structure of an ecosystem.

What is ecological succession?

The process through which ecosystems change and develop over time.

What is a significant human impact on aquatic ecosystems?

Pollution and overfishing.

What ecological service do bats provide?

Insect pest control.

What effect do chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) have on the environment?

They deplete the ozone layer.

What was the primary focus of early conservation initiatives?

To address pollution and health risks in urban areas.

What is meant by 'ecological efficiency'?

The rate at which energy is transferred from one trophic level to another.

What is the main concern with excess phosphorus in aquatic systems?

It leads to algal blooms and oxygen depletion.

What are the primary elements in the nitrogen cycle?

Fixation, nitrification, assimilation, ammonification, and denitrification.