ESSENTIAL KNOWLEDGE

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83 Terms

1

Predator-prey relationship

The predator is an organism that consumes another organism, known as the prey.

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2

Symbiosis

A close and long-term interaction between two species in an ecosystem, including mutualism, commensalism, and parasitism.

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3

Competition

Occurs within or between species in an ecosystem due to limited resources.

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4

Resource partitioning

Reducing competition by using resources differently in terms of ways, places, or times.

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5

Food web

A model showing the flow of energy and nutrients in multiple food chains.

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6

Trophic levels

Feeding levels in ecosystems, with energy flowing from the sun to producers and up to higher trophic levels.

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7

Primary productivity

The rate of converting solar energy into organic compounds through photosynthesis.

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8

Energy flow

The 10% rule states that about 10% of energy is passed on between trophic levels.

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9

Carbon cycle

Movement of carbon-containing molecules between sources and sinks, including photosynthesis and decomposition.

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10

Nitrogen cycle

The process of converting atmospheric nitrogen into usable forms by plants, primarily ammonia.

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11

Phosphorus cycle

Movement of phosphorus-containing molecules between sources and sinks, with rock and sediments as major reservoirs.

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12

Hydrologic cycle

Movement of water in solid, liquid, and gaseous forms between sources and sinks, powered by the sun.

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13

Terrestrial biomes

Characteristic plant and animal communities adapted to specific climates, including taiga, rainforests, grasslands, deserts, and tundra.

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14

Aquatic biomes

Include freshwater (streams, rivers, lakes) and marine (oceans, coral reefs) ecosystems with varying resources and conditions.

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15

Biodiversity

Includes genetic, species, and habitat diversity in ecosystems, influencing resilience and recovery from disruptions.

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16

Adaptations

Organisms adjust to environmental changes through genetic modifications over time.

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17

Island biogeography

Study of ecological relationships and species distribution on islands, affecting specialist and generalist species.

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18

K- and r-selected species

Different reproductive strategies with K-selected species having few offspring and r-selected species having many.

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19

Ecological tolerance

Range of conditions an organism can withstand before injury or death occurs.

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20

Ecosystem services

Provisioning, regulating, cultural, and supporting services provided by ecosystems, impacted by human activities.

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21

Demographic Transition

The transition from high to lower birth and death rates in a country or region as development occurs, typically demonstrated through a four-stage demographic transition model.

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22

Developing Countries

Countries characterized by higher infant mortality rates and more children in the workforce compared to developed countries.

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23

Plate Tectonics

Scientific theory describing the large-scale motion of Earth's lithosphere, consisting of seven large plates and numerous smaller plates.

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24

Convergent Boundaries

Boundaries where two plates collide, leading to the formation of mountains, island arcs, earthquakes, and volcanoes.

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25

Divergent Boundaries

Boundaries where plates move apart, resulting in seafloor spreading, rift valleys, volcanoes, and earthquakes.

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26

Transform Boundaries

Boundaries formed when two plates slide past each other, causing earthquakes due to the release of stored energy.

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27

Watershed

An area of land draining all streams and precipitation to a common outlet like a river, lake, or ocean.

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28

Soil Formation

Process where parent material weathers and erodes, organic material decomposes, and horizons (layers) form based on composition and organic material.

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29

Water Holding Capacity

Total amount of water soil can hold, varying with soil types and contributing to land productivity and fertility.

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30

Global Wind Patterns

Patterns influenced by solar radiation, density differences, and the Coriolis effect, leading to wind belts and convection cells like Hadley, Ferrell, and Polar cells.

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31

El Niño and La Niña

Phenomena associated with changing ocean surface temperatures in the Pacific Ocean, affecting global weather patterns differently.

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32

Tragedy of the Commons

Concept suggesting individuals exploit shared resources for self-interest, depleting the resource.

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33

Green Revolution

Shift to new agricultural strategies like mechanization, GMOs, fertilization, and irrigation to enhance food production, with positive and negative impacts.

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34

Irrigation Methods

Techniques like flood, furrow, spray, and drip irrigation, each with varying efficiency and water loss percentages.

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35

Pest Control Methods

Strategies including pesticides and genetically modified crops to control pests, with consequences like resistance and loss of genetic diversity.

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36

Meat Production Methods

Techniques like CAFOs and free-range grazing, impacting land use, waste generation, and meat quality.

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37

Overfishing Impacts

Extreme scarcity of fish species leading to biodiversity loss and solutions like aquaculture and fishing regulations.

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38

Integrated Pest Management

Combination of methods to control pests while minimizing environmental disruption, including biological, physical, and limited chemical methods.

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39

Sustainable Agriculture

Practices aiming to prevent soil erosion and improve soil fertility through methods like crop rotation, no-till agriculture, and rotational grazing.

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40

Aquaculture

Efficient method of fish farming that requires small water areas and little fuel.

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41

Aquaculture

Aquaculture can contaminate wastewater, leading to increased disease incidences and potential transmission to wild species.

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42

Sustainable Forestry

Methods for mitigating deforestation include reforestation, sustainable forestry techniques, and reusing wood.

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43

Clearcutting

Economically advantageous but leads to soil erosion, increased temperatures, and flooding.

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44

Renewable and Nonrenewable Resources

Nonrenewable sources are fixed and cannot be easily replaced, while renewable sources can be replenished naturally.

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45

Global Energy Consumption

Energy resource use varies between developed and developing countries, with fossil fuels being widely used globally.

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46

Fuel Types and Uses

Wood, peat, coal, natural gas, and crude oil are common fuel sources with different characteristics and uses.

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47

Fossil Fuels

Combustion releases carbon dioxide, contributing to climate change, and extraction methods like fracking can have environmental impacts.

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48

Nuclear Power

Generated through fission, it produces heat for electricity but has challenges like waste disposal and accidents.

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49

Energy from Biomass

Burning biomass produces heat but can lead to deforestation and emissions.

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50

Solar Energy

Captures sunlight for electricity, with active and passive systems having different applications and impacts.

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51

Hydroelectric Power

Generated by dams or turbines in rivers, it is clean but can alter habitats and be costly.

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52

Geothermal Energy

Uses heat from the Earth's interior for electricity, but accessing it can be expensive and release hydrogen sulfide.

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53

Hydrogen Fuel Cell

Uses hydrogen to produce electricity with no carbon emissions, but production costs and energy requirements are challenges.

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54

Wind Energy

Converts wind energy into electricity, being renewable but posing risks to wildlife.

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55

Energy Conservation

Methods to reduce energy use at home and on a large scale, including efficient appliances and transportation.

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56

Indoor Air Pollutants

Sources and types of indoor air pollutants, including carbon monoxide, particulates, and VOCs.

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57

Outdoor Air Pollution

Sources of outdoor air pollution, such as fossil fuel combustion, and regulatory efforts to reduce emissions.

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58

Acid Rain

Caused by nitrogen and sulfur oxides, leading to soil and water acidification, and its impacts on ecosystems.

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59

Photochemical Smog

Formed from nitrogen oxides and VOCs reacting with sunlight, affecting urban areas and human health.

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60

Air Pollution Solutions

Methods to reduce air pollutants, including catalytic converters and scrubbers, to improve air quality.

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61

Stratospheric Ozone Depletion

Causes, effects, and mitigation strategies for ozone depletion, including the role of CFCs.

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62

Noise Pollution

High-level sound causing stress and health issues, with sources like transportation and industrial activities.

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63

Pathogens

Infectious diseases caused by pathogens, which can spread through vectors and unsanitary conditions.

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64

Vector-borne diseases

Diseases transmitted through bites of infected organisms like fleas, rodents, or mosquitoes.

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65

Malaria

A disease caused by a parasite transmitted through mosquito bites, common in Africa.

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66

West Nile virus

A virus transmitted through infected mosquito bites, leading to flu-like symptoms.

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67

Zika

A virus transmitted through infected mosquito bites or sexual contact, causing birth defects like microcephaly.

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68

SARS

Severe acute respiratory syndrome caused by a virus, transmitted through inhaling or touching infected fluids.

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69

Tuberculosis

A bacterial disease spread by breathing in bacteria from infected persons, affecting the lungs.

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70

Cholera

A bacterial disease causing diarrhea, vomiting, and dehydration, transmitted through contaminated water or food.

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71

Bioaccumulation

Absorption and concentration of substances in living organisms, often in fat cells.

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72

Biomagnification

Increase in substance concentration in higher trophic levels of a food chain, impacting ecosystems.

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73

POPs

Persistent organic pollutants like DDT, PCBs, and Dioxin, toxic due to their fat solubility and accumulation in organisms.

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74

Invasive Species

Species that can live and thrive outside their normal habitat, posing a threat to native species by outcompeting them for resources.

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75

Endangered Species

Species at risk of extinction due to factors like hunting, invasive species, limited diet, or habitat requirements, with adaptable species being less prone to extinction.

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76

Selective Pressures

Factors altering behaviors and fitness of organisms, including resource availability, environmental conditions, and biological factors.

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77

Habitat Fragmentation

Breaking large habitats into smaller isolated areas, reducing biodiversity and increasing susceptibility to invasive species.

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78

HIPPCO

Acronym for habitat destruction, invasive species, population growth, pollution, climate change, and overexploitation, leading to biodiversity decline.

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79

Domestication Impact

Domesticating organisms for economic purposes can reduce biodiversity by favoring certain breeds over others.

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80

Legislation

Laws like the Endangered Species Act and CITES protect species from harm, hunting, and trade to ensure survival and biodiversity conservation.

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81

Clean Air Act

Regulates air pollutant emissions to safeguard human health and set standards for vehicle emissions.

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82

Clean Water Act

Establishes limits on water pollutants to maintain water quality for swimming and fishing in surface waters.

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83

Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA)

Manages hazardous waste from creation to disposal, ensuring proper tracking and handling to prevent environmental harm.

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