Bio 2 humans as a planetary force

What is the anthropocene epoch

the modern era of earth where humans have dominated

what is an ecological footprint

the concept of quantifying our claims on global resources by adding up all the energy, food, materials, and services we use and extimating how much land is needed to provide these resources (developed countries need more)

How have humans contributed to global CO2 measurements

We have added monumental amounts of CO2 to the atmosphere through combusting fossil fuels

What is true about human generated CO2 sources

The amount of CO2 we have added to the atmosphere is 100X greater than all volcanoes, with no comparable counteracting process, leading to mean annual temperature increases

what are greenhouse gases

gases in the atmosphere that absorb infrared radiation reflected from the surface and emit it in directions

where do greenhouse gases get their names

they direct heat downward towards earth, allowing sun in but preventing heat from leaving

Why are greenhouse gases sometimes needed

CO2, water vapor, and methane prevent suface temperature from falling below freezing, allowing life to be possible

What does evidence show about temperature changing

human activities are directly causing temperature rise

How are future climates calculated

applying equations that relate simplified variables and interactions, can show the impacts of adding CO2 or changing forest cover

What do future climate change models based of decades of records tell us

Atmospheric CO2 has increased twicefold raising 8degrees F, causing temedous consequences (not uniformly across the globe)

What will happen as climate changes

climate (long term weather patterns) show that populations and their interractions will change, with some adapting and others being challenged

What will happen to plants as a result of climate change

plants of high fitness may not be at advantage in the near future, with some dying out and others thriving

how will populations change due to climate change

due to the rapid pace, many populations will not have a chance to evolve or adapt. Populations will either migrate, change distribution, or go extinct

What is assisted migration

the deliberate transplantation of populations to new habitats that match their ecological niche

How will CO2 increases affect oceans

Increasing water temperatures may harm organisms, acidification, and deoxygenation

What is acidification

increasing CO2 will cause a decrease in pH as it dissolves in water to form carbonic acid

What is deoxygenation

Increasing seawater temperature causes a decrease in oxygen capacity in seawater, presenting new challenges to marine life

what have increased CO2 levels done to oceans

it resembles conditions prior to the end permian extinction

What can be done to reduce CO2 uptake

Alternative energy sources such as wind, sun, tidal, and nuclear power can be used

how have humans impacted the nitrogen cycle

nitrate fertilizer runs off into lakes and oceans, adding 240 million tons of fixed nitrogen into the biosphere

what is eutrophication

agricultural nitrate runoff adds nutrients into waters, increasing populations algae and cyanobacteria

what are the effects of increased algae populations

they sink to bottom waters where bacteria eat them, fueling aerobic respiration. This causes O2 depletion and creates deadlines

How have humans impacted habitats

converting natural ecosystems to cropland, cities, and toewns decreases natural habitats, especially in tropical rainforests, extremely threatening biological diversity

What has occured due to species overexploitation

fish populations have dropped due to overfishing

What are invasive species

introduced non native species that increase their disribution and affect new areas, causing issues for native species because they have no natural predators, are r strategists, and are strong competitors

what is a harm in diminished biodiversity

it may make communities less productive and less resistant to fires, hurricanes, or other vents

Why should we need to conserve biodiversity

it will help feed the world, which will require creative approaches to science and policy, needing creative methods of land use for people and conservation