Ecosystems, Biodiversity, Populations, Earth Systems, and More

Flashcards covering key concepts from units on ecosystems, biodiversity, populations, earth systems, land and water use, energy, pollution, and global change.

Biotic

Living components of an ecosystem (plants, animals).

Abiotic

Non-living components of an ecosystem (water, pH, temperature).

Ecosystem

Community plus the abiotic environment.

Producers

Organisms that make their own food.

Consumers

Organisms that rely on others for food.

Decomposers

Organisms that recycle nutrients.

Photosynthesis

CO2 + H2O + sunlight -> glucose + O2

Cellular Respiration

Glucose + O2 -> CO2 + H2O + energy (ATP)

Trophic Levels

Energy levels in a food chain; 10% energy transfer efficiency.

Food Chains and Food Webs

Shows the flow of energy through an ecosystem

Keystone Species

Vital for maintaining ecosystem balance.

Trophic Cascade

Domino effect when one trophic level is disrupted.

Water Cycle

Evaporation, transpiration, condensation, precipitation, infiltration.

Carbon Cycle

Photosynthesis, respiration, combustion, decomposition.

Nitrogen Cycle

Nitrogen fixation, nitrification, assimilation, ammonification, denitrification.

Phosphorus Cycle

Weathering of rocks; lacks an atmospheric phase.

Tundra

Cold, permafrost biome.

Taiga

Coniferous forest biome.

Temperate Forest

Biome with four seasons.

Tropical Rainforest

Biome with high biodiversity and rainfall.

Grasslands

Biome with fertile soil.

Desert

Biome with low precipitation.

Aquatic Biomes

Freshwater (rivers, lakes) and marine (coral reefs, estuaries) biomes.

Gross Primary Productivity (GPP)

Total rate of photosynthesis in an area.

Net Primary Productivity (NPP)

GPP minus respiration.

Genetic Biodiversity

Variety of genes.

Species Biodiversity

Variety of species.

Ecosystem Biodiversity

Variety of habitats.

Provisioning Services

Resources such as food and water.

Regulating Services

Climate and water purification.

Supporting Services

Nutrient cycles and soil formation.

Cultural Services

Aesthetic and spiritual benefits.

Island Biogeography

Species richness based on island size and distance from mainland.

Ecological Tolerance

Range of abiotic conditions a species can tolerate.

Optimal Range

Best conditions for a species.

Zone of Stress

Conditions where survival is possible, but not optimal.

Natural Disruptions

Fires, floods, hurricanes.

Primary Succession

New land, no soil.

Secondary Succession

Existing soil, after a fire.

Pioneer Species

Lichens, mosses.

Climax Community

The final, stable community in succession.

Population Size

Births - deaths + immigration - emigration.

Density-Dependent Factors

Disease, food availability.

Density-Independent Factors

Natural disasters.

Type I Survivorship Curve

High early survival (humans).

Type II Survivorship Curve

Constant loss (birds).

Type III Survivorship Curve

High early death (fish).

Carrying Capacity (K)

Maximum sustainable population.

r-selected Species

Many offspring, little care (bugs, fish).

K-selected Species

Few offspring, lots of care (humans, elephants).

Pyramid-shaped Age Structure Diagram

Growing population.

Column-shaped Age Structure Diagram

Stable population.

Inverted Pyramid-shaped Age Structure Diagram

Declining population.

Pre-industrial Stage

High birth/death rates.

Transitional Stage

Death rate drops.

Industrial Stage

Birth rate drops.

Post-industrial Stage

Low birth/death rates.

Convergent Plate Boundary

Volcanoes, mountains.

Divergent Plate Boundary

Mid-ocean ridges.

Transform Plate Boundary

Earthquakes.

Soil Formation

Weathering + erosion + decomposition.

O Horizon

Organic layer.

A Horizon

Topsoil.

B Horizon

Subsoil.

C Horizon

Parent material.

R Horizon

Bedrock.

Soil Texture

Sand, silt, clay.

Porosity

Space between soil particles.

Permeability

Water flow through soil.

Loam

Best combination of soil properties.

Troposphere

Layer where weather occurs.

Stratosphere

Layer with the ozone layer.

Weather and Climate

Caused by solar radiation, Earth's tilt, atmospheric circulation.

Watershed

Area of land where all water drains to one place.

El Niño

Warm water, weak upwelling, less fish.

La Niña

Cold water, strong upwelling, more storms.

Green Revolution

High yield crops, fertilizers, irrigation.

Sustainable Agriculture Solutions

Crop rotation, intercropping, IPM.

Furrow Irrigation

Cheap, wasteful irrigation method.

Drip Irrigation

Expensive, efficient irrigation method.

Methods to Prevent Soil Erosion

Contour plowing, strip cropping.

CAFOS (Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations)

Efficient but unethical/polluting meat production.

Free-Range Meat Production

Sustainable, costly meat production.

Clearcutting

Quick, bad for biodiversity.

Selective Logging

Sustainable forestry practice.

Urban Sprawl

Habitat loss and pollution due to expansion.

Environmental impacts of Mining

Soil erosion, tailings, habitat loss.

Coal

Dirtiest fossil fuel, abundant.

Oil

Fossil fuel used for transport & heating.

Natural Gas

Cleanest fossil fuel, methane leaks.

Risks of Fracking

Earthquakes and water contamination.

Biomass Energy

Wood, waste (carbon-neutral?).

Hydroelectric Energy

Clean energy, disrupts fish.

Solar Energy

Clean energy, high upfront costs.

Wind Energy

Clean energy, kills birds.

Geothermal Energy

Region-specific renewable energy.

Hydrogen Fuel

Future technology, expensive.

Primary Air Pollutants

Emitted directly (CO, NOx).

Secondary Air Pollutants

Formed in the air (ozone, smog).

Photochemical Smog

Sunlight + NOx + VOCs.