Lecture 12

Vocabulary flashcards derived from Lecture 12, covering key terms and concepts related to herbicides, fertilizers, and their ecological impacts.

Herbicides

The most widely used pesticides in the world, used to eliminate weeds that compete with crops for water, nutrients, and sunlight.

Ecosystem services

Benefits provided by ecosystems, which include regulating services from weeds such as food for honey bees and improving soil quality.

Glyphosate

A widely used herbicide, known commonly as Roundup, that is effective in killing weeds.

Roundup Ready

Genetically modified corn that is resistant to glyphosate herbicide due to the addition of the CP4 EPSPS gene.

Biological control agents

Species that regulate pest populations, often supported by weeds.

Cultural services

Benefits derived from ecosystems that hold cultural significance, like flagship species valued by botanists and ornithologists.

Mechanically managed weeds

Weeds managed through physical means such as tilling.

Herbicide-tolerant (HT) soybean

Soybean varieties that have been genetically modified to tolerate herbicide applications, allowing for effective weed control.

Species richness

The number of different species present in a particular area, which has been declining in crop fields in France.

Decline in Species Density

A noticeable reduction in the number of individuals per species in a specific area, as observed in studies of arable weeds.

Trophic levels

The hierarchical positions of organisms in a food web, with arable weeds as primary producers.

Eutrophication

The excessive nutrient enrichment of water bodies leading to algal blooms and ecological imbalance.

Bioindicators

Organisms used to assess the quality of the environment and the health of ecosystems.

Aquatic insect nymphs

Larval forms of aquatic insects, which can indicate water quality and oxygen levels.

Milkweed

A host plant for monarch butterflies, which has seen a significant decline in population abundance due to herbicide use.

Ecological imbalance

A disruption in the natural balance of ecosystems, often resulting from human activities such as the use of fertilizers.

Pollinators

Organisms like bees that facilitate the reproduction of flowering plants by transferring pollen.

Sublethal effects

Non-lethal impacts of an agent (like glyphosate) that can affect behavior and physiology without causing death.

Tracheal gills

Respiratory structures in aquatic insects that aid in oxygen absorption.

Dead zones

Areas in bodies of water with very low oxygen levels, detrimental to marine life, often caused by eutrophication.

Carabids

Ground beetles that provide ecosystem services by regulating pest populations.

Herbivore food sources

Plants that serve as food for herbivorous species, often affected by herbicide application.

Ornithologists

Scientists who study birds, which may be impacted by changes in weed populations.

Algal blooms

Rapid increase in algae in water bodies, often resulting from nutrient runoff.

Genetically modified organisms (GMOs)

Crops engineered to exhibit particular traits, such as herbicide resistance.

CP4 EPSPS

A gene introduced to crops that renders them resistant to glyphosate.

Honey production

The process of bees extracting nectar from flowers, influenced by the availability of weed species.

Field margins

The edges of agricultural fields, important for conservation and habitat for weed species.

Case study

An in-depth analysis of a specific occurrence or phenomenon, such as the decline of arable weeds.

Insect pests

Insects that cause damage to crops and can be managed through the use of herbicides.

Caddisfly larva

A type of aquatic insect larva that is sensitive to changes in oxygen levels in water.

Decomposition

The breakdown of organic matter, such as plants, which can affect oxygen levels in water.

Flight behavior

The actions and patterns of flight exhibited by pollinators, which can be affected by herbicide exposure.

Nutrient enrichment

The increase of essential nutrients in an ecosystem, which can lead to eutrophication.

Decline in biodiversity

Loss of species diversity in an ecosystem, highlighted in the decline of arable weeds.

Agricultural intensity

The level of inputs and management practices associated with farming, impacting weed populations.

Species density

The measurement of how many individuals of a species are present in a habitat.

Flight time

The duration of time a pollinator spends flying, potentially affected by herbicide exposure.

Biological value

The importance of a species in maintaining ecosystem functions and services.

Honeybee physiology

The biological functioning of honeybees, which can be altered by herbicide exposure.

Human-made inputs

Anthropogenic substances like fertilizers and herbicides introduced into environments to boost productivity.

Ecodiversity

The variety of ecosystems found in a specific area, influenced by agricultural practices.

Ornithologist findings

Research conducted by ornithologists which may relate to changes in bird populations due to agrarian practices.