Ecology, Biogeography, Population Growth, and Biodiversity

Flashcards covering ecosystems, biogeography, abiotic factors, climate, human population growth, and threats to biodiversity.

What is an ecosystem?

An ecosystem is a community of living organisms (plants, animals, and microbes) in conjunction with the nonliving components of their environment (things like air, water, and mineral soil), interacting as a system.

What is biogeography?

Biogeography is the study of the distribution of species and ecosystems in geographic space and through geological time.

What are abiotic factors?

Abiotic factors are non-living chemical and physical parts of the environment that affect living organisms and the functioning of ecosystems.

What is climate?

Climate is the long-term average of weather conditions in a particular region.

What determines global climate patterns?

Global climate patterns are determined by solar energy input and the planet's movement in space.

What effects regional and local climate?

Regional and local climate are affected by factors such as bodies of water and mountain ranges.

What causes seasons on Earth?

Seasons on Earth are caused by the tilt of the Earth's axis of rotation relative to its plane of orbit around the sun.

How do bodies of water affect climate?

Bodies of water moderate climate by absorbing heat in the summer and releasing heat in the winter.

How do mountains affect climate?

Mountains affect climate by causing rain shadows and temperature gradients with altitude.

How is the human population growing?

The human population is growing exponentially.

What are the long-term consequences of this growth?

Long-term consequences of human population growth include resource depletion, environmental degradation, and increased pollution.

What are biodiversity 'hot spots'?

Biodiversity hot spots are regions with high concentrations of endemic species that are experiencing significant habitat loss.

What is a mass extinction?

A mass extinction is a relatively sudden, global decrease in the diversity of life forms.

What are general causes for mass extinctions?

General causes for mass extinctions include catastrophic global events, such as asteroid impacts and massive volcanic eruptions, as well as long-term environmental changes.

Why do many scientists feel we are in a 6th mass extinction now?

Many scientists believe we are in a 6th mass extinction now due to unprecedented rates of species decline caused by human activities.

What is habitat destruction/degradation, and why is it a threat to biodiversity?

Habitat destruction/degradation is the process by which a natural habitat is damaged or destroyed to the point that it can no longer support the species and ecological communities that naturally occur there. It is a major threat to biodiversity because it removes or degrades the resources that organisms need to survive.

What relationship is shown by a species area curve?

A species-area curve shows the relationship between the area of a habitat and the number of species found within that area.

What is habitat fragmentation, and why is it a threat to biodiversity?

Habitat fragmentation is the process by which a continuous habitat is broken up into smaller patches. It is a threat to biodiversity because it reduces habitat size, increases edge effects, and limits dispersal.

What is overexploitation, and why is it a threat to biodiversity?

Overexploitation is harvesting species from the wild at rates faster than their ability to recover. It is a threat to biodiversity because it can lead to population declines and even extinction.

What is anthropogenic climate change?

Anthropogenic climate change refers to climate change that is caused by human activities, primarily through the burning of fossil fuels.

What is the greenhouse effect?

The greenhouse effect is the process by which certain gases in the atmosphere trap heat and warm the planet.

What is the relationship between the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere and the average global temperature?

There is a strong positive correlation between the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere and the average global temperature.

How can a knowledge of photosynthesis help ameliorate climate change?

A knowledge of photosynthesis can help ameliorate climate change by informing strategies to enhance carbon sequestration through reforestation and sustainable land management practices.