APES UNIT 5 STUDY GUIDE

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Ten Percent Rule

Only about 10% of energy is transferred from one trophic level to the next; the rest is lost as heat.

Reserves

Areas of protected land or water managed to conserve natural resources and biodiversity.

Famine

A severe shortage of food causing widespread hunger, disease, and death in a population.

Anemia

A condition caused by iron deficiency that reduces the blood’s ability to carry oxygen.

Food Security

Reliable access to sufficient, nutritious food for a healthy life.

Chronic Malnutrition

Long-term lack of essential nutrients, leading to stunted growth and weakened immunity.

Undernutrition

Insufficient intake of calories or nutrients needed to maintain health.

Plantation Agriculture

Large-scale farming of a single cash crop, usually in tropical regions, often for export.

Salinization

The buildup of salt in soil, reducing soil fertility and crop productivity.

Restoration

The process of repairing damaged ecosystems to return them to a natural state.

Surface Fires

Low-intensity fires that burn ground vegetation and help maintain healthy ecosystems.

Biodiversity Hotspots

Regions with high species diversity that are threatened by human activity.

Aquifer

An underground layer of porous rock or sediment that stores and supplies groundwater.

Indicator Species

Species whose presence or absence reflects the health of an ecosystem.

HIPPCO

An acronym for the major causes of biodiversity loss:
Habitat loss, Invasive species, Population growth, Pollution, Climate change, Overexploitation.

Theory of Island Biogeography

Species diversity on islands depends on island size and distance from the mainland.

Advantages of Pesticides

• Yield MORE (more crops)

• Erase pests fast

• Disease control (protect humans/crops)

• Quick & cheap

Disadvantages of Pesticides

• Harm non-target species

• Resistance develops

• Bad water/soil pollution

• Weak human health

Ecosystem Services provided by Forests

• Carbon storage → reduce climate change

• Oxygen production → breathable air

• 2 Water regulation → prevent floods & droughts

• Wildlife habitat → biodiversity

• Humus & soil protection → prevent erosion

• Recycling nutrients → healthy ecosystem

Economic Services provided by Forests (LTPTM)

• Lumber & wood products

• Timber & paper

• Pharma/medicines (plants)

• Tourism & recreation

• Mining & non-timber products (nuts, resin, rubber)

List characteristics of a tree plantation (farm)

• Monoculture → only one tree species

• Organized planting → rows, evenly spaced

• Short rotation → harvested quickly for profit

• Soil depletion → less nutrients, high erosion risk

What is the root cause of food insecurity?

The root cause of food insecurity is poverty - it limits people's ability to afford and access enough nutritious food.

List health problems that can result in overnutrition

• Obesity → heart disease, diabetes

• Blood pressure HIGH (hypertension)

• Cardiovascular problems

List health problems that can result in under nutrition

• Stunted growth (kids)

• Immune weakness → infections

• Developmental delays

• Serious anemia & vitamin deficiencies

List the three grain crops that 2/3 of the human population survive on

RWC

RICE WHEAT

CORN (MAIZE)

What is the major goal of industrialized agriculture?

Maximize crop and livestock yields for profit

Max Profit Farms

high input, monoculture, and mechanization to produce large amounts of food quickly

What is the largest cause of soil erosion?

Human agricultural activities

deforestation, overgrazing, and intensive farming that remove protective vegetation.

What are the problems with a TFR below 1.5 children per couple?

Aging Shrink

Aging Shrink → Less Young, More Old

• Aging population → more elderly, fewer workers

• Shrinking workforce → economic slowdown

• Higher healthcare & pension costs

• Less innovation & consumer base → economic challenges

What is organic fertilizer derived from?

manure, compost, crop residues, bone meal, and green manure

“PAM → Plants And Manure”

List the environmental problems associated with urbanization?

• Pollution → air, water, and noise

• Acid rain & smog → from vehicles & industry

• Water runoff & flooding → impervious surfaces

• Shrinking green space → habitat loss, heat islands

• Fragmented ecosystems → reduced biodiversity

“PAWS F → Cities leave a mark like a paw print”

Clear-Cutting Advantages

Maximum timber yield

Economical & fast

Clear-Cutting Disadvantages

Severe habitat loss

Soil erosion & nutrient depletion

Aesthetic & ecosystem damage

Selective Cutting Advantages:

Maintains forest structure

Less erosion & habitat disruption

Selective Cutting Disadvantages

Slower, more labor-intensive

Less profitable than clear-cutting

Strip Cutting Advantages

Reduces erosion vs clear-cutting

Allows natural regeneration

Strip Cutting Disadvantages

Still disrupts habitat

Moderate cost & labor

Strip Cutting

“IN BETWEEN”

Selective Cutting

“CHOOSE WISELY”

Clear-Cutting

“MAX PROFIT, BIG IMPACT”

What could be included in planning an environmentally smart city?

• Green spaces → parks, urban forests

• Renewable energy → solar, wind, hydro

• Efficient public transport → reduce emissions

• Energy-efficient buildings → green architecture

• Tree planting & urban gardens → improve air & biodiversity

• Sustainable water management → rainwater harvesting, low runoff

“GREETS → Cities that greet nature kindly”

What creates land subsidence?

Excessive groundwater withdrawal or resource extraction

When too much water, oil, or gas is pumped out, the ground compacts and sinks

Precipitation that does not infiltrate the ground is known as _______________.

RUNOFF

What are the disadvantages of desalination?

• Energy-intensive → high electricity use

• Expensive → costly infrastructure & maintenance

• Pollution → brine discharge harms marine life

• Ecosystem disruption → affects coastal habitats

• Not sustainable for large populations

• Salt & chemical buildup → environmental stress

• Increases greenhouse gases if fossil fuels used

• Very limited freshwater output compared to demand

• Expensive long-term operation

EXPENSIVE → Desalination costs the earth & your wallet

What type of traditional irrigation is used in less developed countries?

Flood irrigation

Water is channeled from rivers or canals and floods the fields.

Simple, low-cost, but wastes water and can cause salinization.

Flood = Cheap but Salty

What is the most efficient irrigation method?

Drip Irrigation

• Delivers water directly to plant roots

• Minimizes evaporation and runoff

• “Drip = Direct + Saves water”

What is the least efficient irrigation method?

Flood / Furrow Irrigation

• Floods entire fields

• Lots of water wasted via evaporation and runoff

• “Flood = Wasteful Water Everywhere”

What are the problems associated with the use of the Colorado River’s water?

• Over-allocation → water demand > supply

• Very little water reaches the delta → ecosystem loss

• Erosion & sediment issues from dams

• Reservoir evaporation → water loss

• Urban & agricultural conflicts → disputes over water rights

• Salinity increase → soil degradation

• Ecosystem disruption → wildlife habitat lost

OVER USE → Too much taken, nature suffers

How are aquifers recharged?

Rain and surface water seepage

• Water from rain, rivers, lakes, or melting snow percolates through soil into the aquifer.

• Recharge can be slow, especially in arid regions.

“Rain Refills Reservoirs” → Rain seeps to underground water

What is a human activity that has contributed to flooding?

Urbanization / paving over land

• Impervious surfaces (roads, parking lots) prevent water from soaking into the ground.

• Stormwater runoff increases, overwhelming rivers and drains.

• Pave → Flood Wave

• Deforestation and urbanization. Increase in the surface runoff along with decreasing infiltration causing floods to become more frequent since water cannot see infiltrate into areas in order for drainage.

What is a disadvantage of using groundwater?

Overuse can cause depletion and land subsidence

• Aquifers can run dry if water is pumped faster than it recharges.

• Land can sink (subsidence) and nearby ecosystems can be harmed.

• Water quality can decline (saltwater intrusion in coastal areas).

Pump Too Much → Land Sinks

What is Integrated Pest Management?

A sustainable approach to controlling pests using multiple methods

• Combines biological, chemical, cultural, and mechanical controls.

• Goal: minimize pesticide use while protecting crops and the environment.

• IPM = Intelligent Pest Management → Smart, not just chemical

List solutions to groundwater depletion

• Conserve water → reduce personal and agricultural use

• Recharge aquifers → rain gardens, infiltration basins

• Alt. irrigation methods → drip irrigation, efficient systems

• Water recycling & reuse → greywater systems

• Limit groundwater pumping → regulate wells & industrial use

What are the goals of the first Green revolution?

• Goal: Increase crop yields using high-yield varieties, fertilizers, and irrigation

• Focused on staple grains like wheat and rice.

• First → Feed Many

What are the goals of the second Green revolution?

• Goal: Increase yields in developing countries & diversify crops

• Uses modern tech, GMO crops, and improved irrigation.

• Second → Spread Growth Worldwide