Sustainability

Mr. Ng's unit 5 celebration flashcards

Ecology

The scientific study of interactions between organisms and their environments. A science of relationships.

Biotic Factors

Living components of the environment (Animals, plants, fungi, etc)

Abiotic Factors

Non-living components of the environment (Temperature, Sunlight, Water, etc)

Individual

One organism

Population

Group of individuals of the same species living in the same general area

Community

Different populations living together in the same general area

Ecosystem

All communities living together in an area as well as all of the nonliving components too

Biome

A group of ecosystems all with similar climates & communities

Biosphere

Part of Earth in which life exists, including air, water, and land; areas on Earth occupied by living organisms.

Classification System

Individual

Population

Community

Ecosystem

Biome

Biosphere

Common feeding relationships

Predator / Prey:

Parasite / Host :

Producer / Consumer

Autotrophs

Plants; organisms capable of making their own food, located at the bottom of the food chain

Heterotrophs

Organisms that can not produce their own food, they rely on other organisms to get their nutrition.

Consumers

Herbivores, Carnivores, Omnivores NOT Decomposers.

Decomposers

Organisms that break down complex dead or decaying organic matter into simpler molecules that can be reabsorbed. Not to be confused with detritivores who actually consume the dead/decaying matter.

Symbiosis

Two species of organisms living together in which one benefits

Mutalism

Both species in a relationship benefit

Commensalism

One species in the relationship benefits, while the other is neutrally affected

Parasitism

One species benefits, one is harmed

Predation

(NOT SYMBIOTIC) one species benefits, one is killed

Competition

(NOT SYMBIOTIC) two or more species use the same limited resources in the same place at the same time. This can cause developmental differences in niches or even physical characteristics.

Adaptive Radiation

The process in which organisms quickly diversify in a multitude of forms in response to changes in the environment such as changes in resource availability. For example, Darwin’s Finches all share a common ancestor, and the ones with favorable traits fitting the environment were passed on to future generations.

Habitat

Where an organism lives, it contains the basic necessities for organisms to live

Niche

An organisms job. Determined by the organism's use of resources and interactions, AKA limiting factors. It encompasses the organisms surrounding, activity patterns (time periods of activity) and the resources the organism takes from the environment.

Limiting Factor

Any biotic or abiotic factor that restricts the existence of organisms in a specific environment; helps to determine a habitat’s carrying capacity.

Carrying Capacity

The maximum number of individuals of a species that a region can support without environmental degradation.

Invasive Species

Introduced by humans on accident or on purpose, and since it is non native it has no natural population control. Thus it disrupts the food Web and changes the population of native species.

Ecological Succession

The process of change in the species structure of an ecosystem over periods of time. Moderate changes over time are healthier in the long run, and change can be good, since these changes open up a multitude of ways for biodiversity to grow.

Primary Succession

Longest phase, small flora grows, but it takes thousands of years for the soil to become fertile enough for large flora. Generally starts with rocks and mosses.

Secondary Succession

This is in response to disturbances, like wildfires burning down trees, leaving empty, but still fertile soil. Includes pioneer species (the first to colonize environments, often bacteria and lichens, grasses, etc) intermediate species (more complex fauna like shrubs and bushes)

Climax Community Stage

The endpoint of ecological succession. The ecosystem is fully functioning and has animals returning as a result of food being replenished. This exists till a very large disturbance occurs. Typically it is very biodiverse.

Density-Independent

Limiting factors that can affect a population no matter the size of the population (disasters or catastrophes).

Density-Dependent

The effects of these limiting factors can vary depending on the population density at the time (disease, predatation, competition).

Population Ecology

A sub field of Ecology that looks at the dynamics of species populations and how they interact with the environment, determines how populations can change over time and spaces.

J-Curve

Exponential Growth. Population rapidly grows followed by an abrupt crash due to the limiting factors of the environment after a population well exceeds the carrying capacity of the environment, typical at beginning of population graphs.

S-Curve

Logistic Growth. Population begins as exponential growth rate but stabilizes as it reaches the carrying capacity.

Boom & Bust Cycle (Rise, Fall, Repeat)

As the prey population increases, the predator population increases, which causes the prey population to decreases, so the predator population decreases and the cycle continues. The highest peak is always prey.

Population Pyramid

Shows the distribution of a human population in terms of age group and biological sex. They help us visualize and predict the population size, how many are being born, longevity of life span, age skew of a population, future population rates.

Rapid Growth

Most of the population is relatively young and in the “reproductive age range”. Pyramid shape. Big difference between death and birth rate, way more births.

Slow Growth:

Age distribution is relatively similar between the young and middle ages (young can be slightly bigger), and it tapers as it reaches elderly ages. Less difference between death and birth rate, but birth rate is still more.

Negative Growth

The population of middle and older ages is greater than the population of the younger ages. Bubble shaped, and typically a lower birth rate than death rate.

Zero growth rate

The population is relatively the same between all age groups, and typically it is colum shaped with very similar death and birth rates.

Trophic levels

These represent a feeding step in the transfer of energy and matter in an ecosystem. There is a decrease in energy & biomass as one moves up the food chain. Energy is transferred with the 10% rule due to heat loss. So predators consume more to survive. Producers —> Primary consumers —> Secondary consumers —> Tertiary Consumers —> Quaternary consumers —> Apex predator. All of these levels contribute to Decomposers and energy lost by heat. The sun is the ultimate source.

Food chain

A simple model that shows how matter and energy can move through an ecosystem.

Food Web

Shows all possible feeding relationships in a community at each trophic level. It represents a network of interconnected food chains.

Keystone species

A species whose presence has a disproportionate effect on the entire ecosystem. Many organisms depend on it to survive. Example: The wolves in Yellowstone. Not always at the top of the food chain.

Toxins

Bio magnification, where the amount of toxins/ toxin potency increases as you go up the food chain. An organism consumes more of other organisms gradually building up the amount of toxins in their bodies. Example: PCB; was common, but poorly maintained, and then banned because it had negative health affects on reproduction, nervous, and immune systems, and was linked to cancer.

Carbon cycle

CO2 is in the atmosphere before it is absorbed into plants through photosynthesis, where it is then also eaten by some animals, then these organisms decay, and the CO2 is released back into the soil. We heat up and mine fossil fuels (like coal) that are in the ground, and then bring them up to be used, where they are then put back into the atmosphere as greenhouse gases (since they were burned).

Sustainability

The practice of meeting the needs of people in the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. Involves sustainable practices, like renewable energy sources.

Non-renewable sources

Cannot be easily replaced once they are used (do not replenish in a lifetime). The extraction usually harms the environment, such as coal and oil.

Mineral resources

Essential materials found in the earth that are used in various industries to create products we use everyday, such as silicon and chrome, gold, iron, silver, salt, and sand. Formed in a process of billions of years and has an uneven distribution. NON RENEWABLE.

Mountain top removal

Remove the tops of mountains to reach resources beneath the surface. Cost-effective but generates large amounts of waste which contaminate nearby water sources and destroy habitats, and the deforestation and ecosystem disruption can have long lasting effects on the wildlife and landscape.

Vertical shaft mining

Vertical tunnels are dug to reach valuable minerals, which are deep underground. It is used when necessary and it requires careful planning and engineering for safety and efficiency.

Open-pit mining

A large pit is dug to expose geologic materials like copper, gold, and iron ore. It’s cost effective and efficient, but it causes habitat destruction and water pollution if ill-managed.

Fossil fuels

Coal, oil, and gas, vital but non-renewable formed from dead organisms that lived millions of years ago. They are a big part of the carbon cycle.

Oil

A liquid fossil fuel that is refined to produce gasoline and other fuels. Formed from marine life which died, was buried deeper and deeper, and the pressure and heat then turned it into carbon rich oil.

Natural Gas

The gaseous fossil fuel is used for heating and cooking. Also formed from marine life which died, was buried deeper and deeper, and the pressure and heat then turned it into carbon rich natural gas.

Coal

A solid fossil fuel formed in ancient swamps, because no Decomposers had evolved so plants were buried over time until the heat and pressure transformed them into carbon rich rock.

Renewable resources

Energy sources that are naturally replenished, so able to be used infinitely, such as solar and wind energy. They reduce reliance on fossil fuels, but are more subject to weather conditions and geographic location. The cost may be high to initially install, but the price is worth it in the end, and decreasing.

Solar energy

Sun rays go to solar panels go to electricity. They are on rooftops and fields, or in building materials. They produce no greenhouse gas emissions, making it an environmentally friendly choice.

Wind energy

Generated through wind turbines, placed where there is strong and consistent wind, which produces energy as the wind turns the blade. It is clean and abundant, and does not consume water making it a sustainable option for power generation.

Tragedy of the commons

When short-term self interest leads to tragedy from all. Over fishing —> decline in fish populations —> entire ecosystem. Society must balance individual needs w/ resources sustainability, with rules and renewable sources.

Fertile soil

Soil that provides the necessary nutrients and minerals for plants to grow and thrive. Occurs through the weathering of rocks with 100s -1000s of years. Fertile soil is a good mix of sand silt and clay, how well is water held? Can roots penetrate it? Fertilizer is compost and manure.

The dust bowl

A period of severe dust storms that greatly damaged the ecology and agriculture of the American and Canadian prairies (1930s). Plow and plant —> native soils removed —> exposes top soil, dries to dust, no vegetation —> strong wind blows soil forming massive dust storms. Made land unsuitable for farming, caused respiratory and health problems and unemployment.

Sustainable farming practices

Sustainable farming methods focus on long term viability, and promoting biodiversity. Organic fertilizers, pest management with natural predators, crop rotation, conservation tillage help maintain and enhance soil fertility. Avoids synthetic chemicals and pesticides.

Unsustainable farming practices

Unsustainable farming depletes resources, contributing to environmental degradation, leading to long term negative consequences. Mono culture — decreased biodiversity, vulnerable to pests and diseases. They also lead to GG emissions and deforestation.

Agroecology

Emphasizes the interconnections of crops, soil, animals, and humans in agriculture. The science mimics natural ecosystems, and fosters healthy soil ecosystems and reduces reliance on external inputs. The science and agricultural practice that aims to create sustainable and resilient food systems by applying ecological principles to agriculture

Food waste

Food is wasted, goes to landfills, produces methane, increases greenhouse effect, the agriculture production wasted, so the consequences are heavier than the results. Food wastes water and energy resources. Composting combats food waste, breaking down food scraps and yard waste into nutrient rich soil.

Logging practices

Cutting down trees for commercial use, especially construction and paper, but also causes deforestation, soil erosion, and negative water quality impacts. Overall these are caused by less vegetation. Sustainable logging is taking the right amount of trees allowing for natural regeneration.