ESSENTIAL KNOWLEDGE

Predator-prey relationship

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

Symbiosis

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

Competition

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

Resource partitioning

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

Food web

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

Trophic levels

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

Primary productivity

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

Energy flow

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

Carbon cycle

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

Nitrogen cycle

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

Phosphorus cycle

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

Hydrologic cycle

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

Terrestrial biomes

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

Aquatic biomes

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

Biodiversity

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

Adaptations

Organisms adjust to environmental changes through genetic modifications over time.

Island biogeography

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

K- and r-selected species

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

Ecological tolerance

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

Ecosystem services

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

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.

Developing Countries

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

Plate Tectonics

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

Convergent Boundaries

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

Divergent Boundaries

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

Transform Boundaries

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

Watershed

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

Soil Formation

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

Water Holding Capacity

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

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.

El Niño and La Niña

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

Tragedy of the Commons

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

Green Revolution

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

Irrigation Methods

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

Pest Control Methods

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

Meat Production Methods

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

Overfishing Impacts

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

Integrated Pest Management

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

Sustainable Agriculture

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

Aquaculture

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

Aquaculture

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

Sustainable Forestry

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

Clearcutting

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

Renewable and Nonrenewable Resources

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

Global Energy Consumption

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

Fuel Types and Uses

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

Fossil Fuels

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

Nuclear Power

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

Energy from Biomass

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

Solar Energy

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

Hydroelectric Power

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

Geothermal Energy

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

Hydrogen Fuel Cell

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

Wind Energy

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

Energy Conservation

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

Indoor Air Pollutants

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

Outdoor Air Pollution

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

Acid Rain

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

Photochemical Smog

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

Air Pollution Solutions

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

Stratospheric Ozone Depletion

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

Noise Pollution

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

Pathogens

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

Vector-borne diseases

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

Malaria

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

West Nile virus

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

Zika

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

SARS

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

Tuberculosis

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

Cholera

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

Bioaccumulation

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

Biomagnification

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

POPs

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

Invasive Species

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

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.

Selective Pressures

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

Habitat Fragmentation

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

HIPPCO

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

Domestication Impact

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

Legislation

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

Clean Air Act

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

Clean Water Act

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

Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA)

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