Climate Change Part (I): Impact on Plants and Animals

This set of vocabulary flashcards covers key terminology related to climate change, greenhouse gases, and their specific impacts on planetary ecosystems as discussed in the H2/H1 Biology curriculum.

Weather

Atmospheric conditions that occur locally over short periods of time.

Climate

Long-term regional or global average of temperature, humidity and rainfall patterns.

Global warming

Long-term rise in the temperature of the Earth’s lower atmosphere / surface.

Climate change

Change in the state of weather over a long period of time, including increased temperature, increased precipitation, rising sea levels, loss of ice mass, and extreme weather events.

Greenhouse effect

A process caused by greenhouse gases, which absorb and trap infrared radiation (heat energy) in Earth, causing the temperature near the surface to rise.

Carbon dioxide ($CO_2$)

The primary greenhouse gas emitted from human activities, naturally present in the atmosphere as part of the carbon cycle and stored in sinks like vegetation and oceans.

Methane ($CH_4$)

The second most prevalent greenhouse gas emitted from human activities, often originating from wetlands, ruminants, and landfills.

Carbon sinks

Systems or reservoirs, such as vegetation and the ocean, that accumulate and store carbon-containing compounds, lowering the concentration of $CO_2$ in the atmosphere.

Permafrost

Soil or underwater sediment which continuously remains below $0\,^{\circ}\text{C}$ for two years or more.

Thermal expansion

The tendency of ocean water to expand and take up more space as it warms, contributing to rising sea levels.

Estuary

An area where a freshwater river or stream meets the ocean, resulting in brackish water.

Coastal erosion

The loss or displacement of land, or the long-term removal of sediments and rocks along the coastline.

Heat wave

A period of excessive hot weather, defined in Singapore as three or more consecutive days with daily maximum temperatures exceeding $35\,^{\circ}\text{C}$ and daily mean temperatures exceeding $29\,^{\circ}\text{C}$.

Ocean acidification

The decrease in the pH of water bodies caused by dissolved $CO_2$ forming carbonic acid ($H_2CO_3$).

Calcifying organisms

Marine organisms, such as corals, planktons, and molluscs, which form calcium carbonate ($CaCO_3$) to build their shells and outer structures.

Zooxanthellae

Single-celled eukaryotes that live in symbiosis with corals, providing glucose, amino acids, and oxygen via photosynthesis.

Coral bleaching

A phenomenon where stressed corals expel their symbiotic zooxanthellae and turn completely white, potentially leading to the death of the reef.

Carbon footprint

The total amount of greenhouse gases released into the atmosphere by the actions of an individual, organization, product, or event, expressed as $CO_2$ equivalents ($CO_2e$).

Bioethanol

A renewable biofuel produced by fermenting the sugar and starch components of plant materials, used as a sustainable petrol substitute.