The Biosphere and Human Impact

These flashcards cover key concepts from the lecture on The Biosphere and Human Impact, helping students review essential topics for their exam.

What is the definition of the biosphere?

The biosphere encompasses all ecosystems on Earth.

What influences global patterns of life on Earth?

Solar radiation, patterns of global atmospheric and oceanic circulation, and precipitation.

What is the Coriolis Effect?

The curvature of the paths of the winds due to Earth's rotation.

What causes the seasons?

The tilt of Earth on its axis results in varying sunlight intensity and duration across different times of the year.

What is a biome?

A major type of ecosystem on land characterized by distinctive plant and animal groups adapted to the environment.

What are the major biomes on Earth?

Desert, Tundra, Savanna, Temperate Grassland, Taiga, Temperate Deciduous Forest, Temperate Evergreen Forest, Tropical Rain Forest.

What are eutrophic lakes?

Lakes that are high in nutrients, densely populated with algae and plants, and generally low in dissolved oxygen during summer.

What are oligotrophic lakes.

Lakes that are low in nutrients, clear, have low plant growth, and typically contain higher levels of dissolved oxygen.

What are the primary human threats to ecosystems?

Overpopulation, pollution, land use changes, climate change, and resource depletion.

What is an ecological footprint?

The measure of human demand on Earth's ecosystems and the impact of a person or community on the environment.

Define pollution.

The presence of harmful substances in the environment.

What is point source pollution?

Has a single identifiable source.

What does 'Not In My Backyard' (NIMBY) mentality refer to?

Resistance to unpopular projects in one's local area, while being okay with them being built elsewhere.

What causes acid rain?

Pollutants such as SO2 and NO2 combine with water in the atmosphere, which then fall as acid rain.

What is biomagnification?

The increasing concentration of non-biodegradable chemicals in organisms as they move up the food chain.

What are the consequences of soil erosion?

Loss of nutrient-rich upper layers leading to decreased soil fertility and potential desertification.

How have humans changed closed ecological systems into open systems?

By transporting resources across large distances, disrupting local nutrient cycles.

What is the link between atmospheric carbon dioxide levels and global climate change?

Increased CO2 levels from human activities contribute to global warming and climate change.

What are the consequences of global climate change on ecosystems?

Stronger weather events, shifting weather patterns, and loss of habitats.

What causes ozone depletion?

CFCs released into the atmosphere break down ozone molecules, particularly in the presence of cold, dry air.

Explain why island species are particularly vulnerable to extinction.

Often lack natural predators, making them vulnerable to new threats introduced by humans.

What is the biodiversity crisis?

The rapid loss of species diversity due to human activity.

What is the significance of endotendic species?

Species that are found naturally in only one geographic area and nowhere else, often facing higher extinction risks.

What are the main human activities contributing to the extinction of species?

Overexploitation, habitat loss, pollution, and introducing invasive species.

What is Earth’s orbit?

Elleptical

What is non-point pollution?

From many different sources

What is urbanization?

Increse in number of people living in a given area.

What is urban sprawl?

The uncontrolled expansion of urban areas.

What is deforestation?

The large-scale removal of forests, often resulting in damage to the quality of the land.

What is the most extreme example of deforestation?

The tropical rain forest.

What is climate change?

A long-term change in Earth's weather patterns, mostly caused by human activities like burning fossil fuels.

What is the greenhouse effect?

The process by which certain gases in Earth's atmosphere trap heat, keeping the planet warm enough to sustain life.

What is does methane do?

Decompose

What is the ozone?

Absorbs the sun’s UV light

What is the cause and impacts of ozone deplation?

Is caused by human-made chemicals (like CFCs) breaking down ozone in the stratosphere. This leads to increased UV radiation, harming human health, ecosystems, and wildlife.

How are humans causing the 6th mass extinction?

Human activities such as habitat destruction, pollution, overfishing, and climate change are driving many species to extinction at an unprecedented rate, threatening biodiversity and ecosystem stability.