Unit 9 Review: Global Change

A collection of vocabulary flashcards from the Unit 9 review on Global Change in AP Environmental Science.

Stratospheric Ozone

The good kind of ozone that absorbs harmful UV radiation in the atmosphere.

Ozone Depletion

The thinning of the ozone layer caused primarily by man-made chemicals like CFCs.

Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs)

Man-made chemicals that deplete ozone and are regulated by the Montreal Protocol.

Montreal Protocol

An international treaty designed to phase out substances that deplete the ozone layer.

Greenhouse Effect

A natural process where greenhouse gases trap heat in the atmosphere, keeping the planet warm.

Anthropogenic

Caused or influenced by humans.

Kyoto Protocol

An international agreement aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

Positive Feedback Loop

A process that encourages further warming, such as melting ice leading to more heat absorption.

Coral Bleaching

The process in which coral loses its algae and turns white due to warmer ocean temperatures.

Ocean Acidification

The decrease in pH of ocean water caused by absorption of carbon dioxide, affecting marine life.

HIPGO

An acronym for Habitat destruction, Invasive species, Population growth, Pollution, Climate change, Over-exploitation, which are major factors of biodiversity loss.

Endangered Species Act

A United States law aimed at protecting threatened and endangered species from extinction.

CITES

An international agreement that regulates the trade of endangered species to prevent their extinction.

HFCs (Hydrofluorocarbons)

Chemicals used as substitutes for CFCs; do not deplete ozone but are potent greenhouse gases.

Global Warming

The long-term rise in Earth's average surface temperature due to human activities.

Albedo Effect

The reflectivity of a surface; ice has a high albedo, while water has a low albedo.

Thermal Expansion

The increase in volume of water as it warms, contributing to rising sea levels.

Biodiversity

The variety of life in the world, or in a particular habitat or ecosystem.

Invasive Species

Non-native species that disrupt local ecosystems and outcompete native species.

Habitat Fragmentation

The process by which habitat loss leads to the division of large habitats into smaller, isolated patches.

Reintroduction Programs

Efforts to return species to their natural habitats to restore populations, such as gray wolves in Yellowstone.

What is precipitation in the water cycle?

Precipitation is any form of water, liquid or solid, falling from the atmosphere to the Earth's surface, such as rain, snow, sleet, or hail.

What is condensation in the water cycle?

Condensation is the process where water vapor in the air cools and changes into liquid water, forming clouds.

What is collection in the water cycle?

Collection refers to the gathering of precipitation in bodies of water like rivers, lakes, and oceans.

What is evaporation in the water cycle?

Evaporation is the process where liquid water is transformed into water vapor due to heat from the sun.

How does the water cycle affect climate?

The water cycle influences climate patterns by distributing heat and moisture across the planet.

What role do plants play in the water cycle?

Plants contribute to the water cycle through a process called transpiration, where they release water vapor into the air.

Groundwater recharge

Groundwater recharge is the process by which water from precipitation and surface water infiltrates into the soil and replenishes aquifers.

How does the sun drive the water cycle?

The sun provides the energy needed for evaporation and ultimately drives the entire water cycle

Saturation

Saturation is the point at which the air is unable to hold any more water vapor, leading to condensation and precipitation.

Humidity

Humidity is the amount of water vapor present in the air, expressed as a percentage of the maximum it can hold at a given temperature.

Dew point

The dew point is the temperature at which air becomes saturated and water vapor begins to condense into liquid water.

Sublimation

Sublimation is the process where ice or snow changes directly into water vapor without first melting into liquid water.

Isobar

An isobar is a line on a weather map connecting points of equal atmospheric pressure, which helps to visualize weather patterns.

Groundwater

Groundwater is the water that exists beneath the Earth's surface in soil pore spaces and fractures of rock formations.

Watershed

A watershed is an area of land that drains rainwater or snowmelt to a common outlet, such as a river or lake.

Evaporation rate

Evaporation rate is the speed at which water is transformed from liquid to vapor, influenced by temperature, wind, and humidity.