Ecosystems, Biodiversity, and Human Impacts

Flashcards covering ecosystems, biodiversity loss, and human impacts on ecological systems.

Population Dynamics

Populations change in size through births, deaths, immigration, and emigration.

Species Interactions

Predation, herbivory, mutualism, and competition.

Energy Transfer in Food Webs

Energy decreases as it travels through food webs because energy is used at previous levels and some is lost as heat.

Ocean Acidification

The process of CO2 dissolving into the oceans, forming acidic compounds, and lowering the ocean pH due to burning fossil fuels.

Biogeochemical Cycle without Atmospheric Component

Phosphorus.

Gross Primary Production vs. Net Primary Production

A student incorrectly defines plant biomass as GPP because it doesn't account for energy lost during respiration, which makes it NPP.

Current Extinction Rate

Human activities are causing species extinction at a rate 100 to 1,000 times faster than in pre-human times.

Reasons for Concern About Biodiversity Loss

Humans depend on species for ecosystem goods/services, derive psychological benefits from interacting with organisms, and face ethical issues when causing extinctions.

Genetic Diversity

Genetic variation within and between populations.

Species Diversity

The number of species in an ecosystem or across the biosphere.

Endangered Species

A species in danger of extinction throughout all or much of its range.

Threatened Species

A species likely to become endangered in the foreseeable future.

Ecosystem Diversity

Variety of ecosystems in the biosphere.

Minimum Viable Population (MVP)

Minimum population size at which a species can sustain its numbers; often estimated considering factors like catastrophes.

Threats to Biodiversity

Most biodiversity loss traces back to habitat loss, introduced species, overharvesting, and global change.

Habitat Loss

Human alteration of habitat through agriculture, forestry, urban development, mining, and pollution.

Introduced Species

Species that humans move from native locations to new geographic regions, either intentionally or accidentally.

Overharvesting

Harvesting organisms at rates exceeding the ability of their populations to rebound.

Climate Change

Directional change to the global climate lasting three decades or more, driven by human activities releasing gaseous waste.

Nutrient Enrichment

Human activity removes nutrients and adds them elsewhere, like harvesting crops and using industrial fertilizers.

Toxins in the Environment

Chemicals released by humans that are toxic and can persist in ecosystems for long periods.

Plastic Waste

Common marine waste that persists for hundreds of years, breaking down into microplastics.

Effects of Climate Change on Cells

Increasing temperature, which affects enzymatic reactions and cellular defense responses.

Effects of Climate Change on Individual Organisms

Increased risk of overheating, leading to reduced food intake and reproductive failure.

Effects of Climate Change on Populations

Food shortages and reduction in survival and reproductive success.

Effects of Climate Change on Communities and Ecosystems

Change in ecological communities and affected primary production and nutrient cycling.

Biophilia

Our human sense of connection to nature.

Ecosystem Services

Processes by which natural ecosystems help sustain human life.