Week_1_Ecology

Environmental DNA (eDNA)

DNA extracted straight from environmental samples, like soil or water, utilized for biodiversity studies.

Eutrophication

A phenomenon where aquatic ecosystems receive surplus nutrients, prompting excessive plant growth and leading to oxygen depletion.

Cytokines

Molecules that function as signals to manage and regulate immunity, inflammation, and blood cell production.

Choroid plexus epithelial cells

Cells responsible for producing cerebrospinal fluid within the brain's ventricles.

Hydrocephalus

A medical condition marked by an abnormal accumulation of cerebrospinal fluid in the brain.

Trophic levels

The structured layers in an ecosystem that include producers, primary consumers, secondary consumers, and tertiary consumers.

Biodiversity hotspots

Areas rich in unique species that are threatened by human activities.

Acid rain

Precipitation with a lower pH, resulting from pollution releasing sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides.

Thermal pollution

The deterioration of water quality due to temperature changes, often caused by industrial activities.

Ecosystem services

The advantages provided by ecosystems to people, including clean air, water, food, and pollination.

Innate behavior

Behavior that is instinctual and genetically encoded rather than acquired through learning.

Kineses

A form of innate behavior characterized by non-directional movement in reaction to a stimulus.

Phototaxis

A directed movement towards or away from light sources.

Biogeochemistry

The field that studies the chemical, physical, geological, and biological interactions that regulate the natural environment's composition.

Species interactions

The various relationships between different species in an ecosystem, encompassing competition, predation, and symbiosis.

Reflected Solar Flux

The amount of sunlight that is bounced off surfaces back into the atmosphere.

Carbon capture

Technological methods aimed at capturing and storing carbon dioxide emissions from industrial sources such as power plants.

Habitat selection

The process whereby animals choose living and breeding environments based on resource availability and perceived risks.

Territoriality

Animal behavior aimed at defending territory from outsiders, which includes marking and displays of aggression.

Foraging behavior

The actions an animal undertakes to seek and collect food, influenced by resource availability.

Mating systems

The different mating behaviors observed in species, such as monogamy, polygamy, and promiscuity.

Parental care

The amount of investment a parent provides for the survival of offspring, varying significantly across species.

Social hierarchies

The arrangement of individuals within a group, often developed through patterns of dominance and subordination.

Altruism in animals

Behavior that aids others at a personal cost, commonly observed in social species for the benefit of the group.

Learning behaviors

Behavioral changes that develop as a result of experience, vital for adaptation and survival.

Migration

The seasonal movement of animals between regions for breeding or feeding purposes.

Communication in animals

The various methods by which animals transmit information to one another, often through signals, sounds, and body language.

Effects of pollution on health

Pollution can cause respiratory issues, cardiovascular diseases, and a variety of chronic health conditions.

Air pollution

The presence of contaminants in the atmosphere from sources like vehicles and industries, impacting air quality and health.

Water pollution

The contamination of water bodies by harmful substances, affecting aquatic ecosystems and human health.

Soil pollution

The degradation of soil quality through hazardous chemicals and waste, impacting agriculture and ecosystems.

Greenhouse gases

Gases such as CO2 and methane that trap heat in the atmosphere, leading to global warming and climate change.

Plastic pollution

The buildup of plastic waste in the environment, negatively affecting wildlife and ecosystems.

Noise pollution

Excessive noise levels in the environment, which can harm human health and disrupt animal behavior.

Pollutants

Substances that cause environmental pollution, including harmful chemicals, heavy metals, and biological agents.

Biomagnification

The increasing concentration of pollutants as they move up the food chain, impacting top predators.

Habitat destruction

The elimination of natural habitats due to human activities and pollution, endangering biodiversity.

Producers

Organisms that generate their own energy through photosynthesis or chemosynthesis, forming the foundation of the trophic pyramid.

Primary consumers

Herbivorous organisms that consume producers and occupy the second level of the trophic hierarchy.

Secondary consumers

Carnivorous species that consume primary consumers, situated at the third level of the trophic hierarchy.

Tertiary consumers

The top predators in an ecosystem that prey on secondary consumers, positioned at the fourth trophic level.

Food web

A complex interconnection of feeding relationships among organisms in an ecosystem that illustrates energy flow.

Energy flow

The movement of energy within an ecosystem, typically depicted as a pyramid illustrating energy loss at each higher trophic level.

Biomass

The overall mass of living organisms in a specific trophic level, often associated with energy availability.

Ecological efficiency

The proportion of energy transferred from one trophic level to the next, generally ranging from 5% to 20%.

Carbon Capture

Innovative technologies aimed at sequestering carbon dioxide emissions from sources like power plants and industrial processes.

Feeding Cows Seaweed

A strategy to mitigate methane production in cattle by adding seaweed to their diet, effectively reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

Delicious Insects

Utilizing edible insects as a sustainable and protein-rich food alternative, aiming to lessen environmental impact as opposed to traditional livestock.

Climate Repair

Creative strategies intended to counteract the effects of climate change, including practices like reforestation and carbon sequestration.

Remote Working

An employment structure that allows individuals to work from outside traditional office settings, often reducing commuting emissions.

Greater Use of Data Centers

Increased dependence on centralized facilities for the processing and storage of substantial data volumes, boosting operational efficiency but raising energy consumption concerns.

Household Energy Efficiency

Initiatives focused on decreasing energy consumption in homes, through methods such as enhanced insulation and usage of energy-saving appliances.

Size of Garbage Island

1.6 million square kilometers, twice the size of texas

Effect of Garbage Island

Killing marine life, 1 million seabirds and 100,000 marine mammals are affected every year, as well as many other species