BIO 310 Exam 2

how are forest types defined

by predominant tree species

what percent of earths terrestrial surface is forests

31%

forest composition

variety of trees and has lower level plants

canopy structure of forest

tallest trees fill out that space

animals that fly

create shade for lower layers 

ecosystem services provided by forests

prevents soil erosiion

purify water and slow runoffs

take in CO2, release O2

support biodiversity

resources provided by forests

wood as fuel source, lumber, paper

plants and animals as food, medicines

primary forest

already existed there

very few left in the US

secondary forest

regrown after being cut down 

why does deforestation happen

converting forests to agricultureal land 

clear land for mining, living space

timber harvesting 

wildfires

forest management - maximum sustainable yield

cut trees shortly after they go through fastest growth stage

impacts of paper production

deforestation

air pollution

water pollution

bleaching agents

paper waste

challenges to forest management

wildfires have increased with climate change

bark beetles - insect that kill more trees in warmer climates

young deforestation regions impact on water cycle

increased dry season rainfall

older deforestation regions impact on water cycle

reduced rainfall during dry seasons

levels of biodiversity

ecosystem diversity

species diversity

genetic diversity

ecosystem diversity

diversity of species within ecosystem

also includes diversity of abiotic factors

species diversity

how many different species are there

how many individuals per species

genetic diversity

diversity within a species and population

genetic variability - adaptations

most diverse species

insects

most diverse vertebrate species

fishes

latitudinal gradient in species richness

increased species richness in proximity to equator

correlation between species diversity and habitat diversity

species diversity increase with habitat diversity

biodiversity hotspots

areas with very high species diversity in a small area

high number of endemic species

endemic species 

only found in that location

why is biodiversity important - food security

15 crop species and 8 livestock species make up the human diet

what happens if these organisms die out

why is biodiversity important - pharmaceuticals

limited organisms are used in medicine

good variety of new organisms that could be used

why is biodiversity important - nature 

enjoy nature

ethical - how can we decide the fate of many species

biodiversity aids in ecosystem services and ecosystem functioning

loss of biodiversity - species extinction

6 major extinctions - anywhere from 75% to 90% of species were killed off (dinos)

latin america and caribbean - decline in biodiversity

94% decline - loss in reptiles, amphibians, and fish

regional biodiversity decline ranking 

europe - 24%

north america - 33% 

asia - 45%

africa - 65%

latin america & caribbean - 94%

characteristics of winning species

generalist

geographically widespread

cope with fast-changing conditions

small and fast-reproducing

low on food chain

mainland species

characteristics of losing species

specialist

limited to small range

need stable conditions

large and slow-reproducing

high on food chain

island species

causes of current mass extinction

habitat loss - most significant

overharvesting

invasive species

climate change

pollution

birds, reptiles, amphibians, and mammals are most impacted by…

habitat degradation

fish are most impacted by…

exploitation - overharvesting

greatest habitat fragmentation and loss

temperate grassland - converted to agricultural land

threats to biodiversity in US

land ownership

dams

pesticides

erosion along waterways

logging

mining

recreation

land ownership in US

70% private

12.9% of land and inland waters are permanently protected and managed for biodiversity 

minerals

naturally occurring solid chemical elements or inorganic compounds

lifetime total of minerals used per person

3.3 million pounds of minerals

minerals are used for…

technology

infrastructure

consumables

most used minerals by humans

natural gas - 6.92 million cu. ft.

stone, sand, and gravel - 1.28 million lbs

introduction to mineral mining

geological tools to identify where minerals are located

removal of minerals from lithosphere

metals are found as ore

open pit mining

large scale habitat loss

acid drainage, leading to formation of leachate

pits can fill with water

placer mining 

sifting through material riverbeds, separating out heavier materials of value

washes large amounts of debris into waterways

centralia - town in PA

the coal mines have been burning since 1960

metal processing

smelting - heating ore to high temperature to separate metal from surrounding minerals

impacts of metal processing

requires large quantities of water and energy

emits air pollutants

contaminates soil and water throug htailings and potential failures of surface impoundments

general mining act of 1872

encourages prospecting for minerals on federally owned land

surface mining control and reclamation act - 1977

mandates restoration efforts

companies must post bonds to cover reclamation before mining is approved

mineral recycling

not great rates

best recycled mineral is iron - vehicles, appliances, construction, cans

environmental health

study of environmental factors that influence human health and quality of life, health of ecological systems essential to environment quality and long-term human well-being

4 environmental factors

physical hazards

chemical hazards

biological hazards

cultural hazards

physical hazards 

arise from naturally occurring processes

ongoing or discrete events 

example of physical hazard

prolonged exposure to sun = sunburn

chemical hazards

synthetic chemicals

naturally produced substances (minerals)

naturally produced substances processed for human use

example of chemical hazard

weed killer

mining

biological hazard

infectious disease agents

viruses, bacteria, fungi that cause disease

example of biological hazard

mosquito transmits disease

cultural hazard

hazards resulting from where you live, your status, job, or behavioral choices

example of cultural hazard

smoking

living near / working at chemical plant

on-going phenomena - physical hazard

UV radiation from sun

discrete events - physical hazard

noise

radiation

vibration

electricity

thermal

natural disasters - physical hazard

fires

floods

volcano

landslides

hurricanes

earthquakes

discrete events - enviromechanical -hazard

slips

trips

falls

ongoing/repeated events - enviromechanical hazard

static/awkward postures

patient handling

inadequate safety

physical properties of harmful chemicals

falmmable

corrosive

reactive

health effects from harmful chemicals

carcinogenicity

toxicity

irritation

sources of biological hazards

human blood; blood products; sharps; other bodily matter

aerosols or direct bodily contact

animal waste and products

biting or stinging organisms

greatest leading cause of death across world

cardiovascular diseases

next is infectious diseases

leading causes of death by infectious disease

respiratory infections

then diarrheal diseases (dehydrating)

US population - smoking & obesity

smoking is on the decline while obesity is increasing

toxicology

examines the effects of poisonous substances on humans and other organisms

toxicity 

degree of harm that a substance can inflict 

toxicant

toxic substance

environmental toxicology

study of toxicants that come from or are discharged into the environment and their effects on organisms and ecosystems

how toxicants move through environment

carcinogens

substanes or types of radiation that can cause cancer

mutagens

substances that cause genetic mutations

teratogens

substances that cause harm to the unborn

neurotoxins

substances that cause harm to the nervous system

pathway inhibitors

substances that interrupt biochemical pathways

endocrine disruptors

substances that interfere with the endocrine system

allergens

substances that over activate the immune system when it is not necessary

functions of endocrine disruptors

block normal action of hormones

accelerate breakdown of hormones

mimic hormone actions

bisphenol A (BPA)

can cause cardiovascular disease, behavioral issues, and effect blood hormone levels

impact chromosomes in cell division

defense mechanisms against toxicants

barriers 

detoxification

sequestration

barriers - toxic defense

skin, scales, feathers

detoxification - toxic defense

breakdown

excrete/sweat/urine

sequestration - toxic defense

place inside vesicle or tissue

heavy metals often found in fatty tissue

chronic exposure

long term and low dose

actue exposure

frequent exposure and high dose

airborne movement of toxic substances

influenced by prevailing air currents

waterborne movement of toxic substances

influenced by prevailing water currents

many toxins are water soluble and consumed by organisms

lethal dose 50 (LD 50)

half population dies at this dose

linear dose response curve

how does response change with dose

threshold of dose response curve

may not have symptoms at low dose but when exceeds threshold - symptoms appear

pesticide effects on kids

effect brain development drawings of exposed kids did not meet level of non-exposed kids

primary microplastics

manufactured to be small

secondary microplastics

breakdown of larger plastic items

don’t fully degrade - only get smaller and smaller

overall impact of microplastics

threaten biodiversity

hurt fishing industries