unit 7

how does solar energy structure oceans vertically

heavier, colder, salty water sinks, lighter, warmer, less salty water stays near the surface

el nino

warm water flows east, less upwelling

salt marsh ecosystem services

filter pollution, stabilize shorelines against storm surges

salt marshes

tides wash over gently sloping sandy, silty substrates 

mangroves

salt-tolerant trees that live in changing water levels

benefits of mangrove forests

provides bird nesting areas, fish nurseries, food, medicine, tools

general reason for removal of wetlands

residential development

estuaries

water bodies where rivers flow into the ocean with fluctuating salinity, critical habitat for shorebirds, transitional zone for fish that spawn in streams and mature in saltwater

benefits of kelp forests

provide shelter and food, absorb wave energy protecting shores from erosion, used in food, cosmetic, paints, paper

coral reef

a mass of calcium carbonate composed of the skeletons of tiny marine animals

corals

tiny colonial invertebrate animals related to sea anemones and jellyfish

coral bleaching

symbiotic zooxanthellae bacteria leave coral or die

base of marine food chain

phytoplankton

how is marine plastic pollution harmful

looks like food, can transport organisms great distances and introduce invasive species, suppresses digestive system

how are oil spills harmful

makes beaches dirty, coats and kills animals, devastate fisheries

how are oil spills cleaned

floating oil is contained with a barrier called a boom, then skimmed off

which fish have the most mercury

swordfish, shark, albacore tuna

what process does mercury in fish exemplify

biomagnification

how does fishing harm dolphins

they’re caught in tuna nets and die, and their populations are slow to restabilize due to k-selection and long time to sexual maturity

how are the harmful effects of fishing masked

fishing fleets have to travel farther to less-fished areas, increasing cost, and less desirable fish are advertised differently to relieve demands on other fish

marine reserves

areas where fishing is prohibited, leaving ecosystems intact and improving fisheries

benefits of marine reserves

rapidly increases population density, biomass, and biodiversity long-term

urbanization

movement of people from rural to urban areas

how do environmental factors and technology affect the location of cities

climate/topography/waterways determine if a settlement grows into a city; cities today can thrive in poor areas due to cheap fossil fuels and technology

sprawl

spread of housing outside of city center

causes of sprawl

population growth, per capita land consumption

problems with sprawl

• promotes physical inactivity (cars replace walking)

• less forests, fields, farmland

• drains tax dollars from communities

city planning

designing cities to maximize their efficiency, functionality, beauty

regional planning

city planning but with broader geographic scales that must coordinate with multiple municipal governments

zoning

classifies areas for different types of development/land use

urban growth boundary

line on a map separating areas that ashould be urban from rural

effects of urban growth boundaries

revitalizes downtown, increases employment, protects farms/forests/industries, but increases housing prices inside the boundary

smart growth

controlling sprawl with tools involving urban growth boundaries

new urbanism

walkable neighborhood design approach

transit-oriented development

compact communities designed around stops on a major rail transit

why is us mass transit behind other countries

low population density, cheap fuel promotes car-centered design

how can governments encourage mass transit

1. raise fuel taxes

2. tax inefficient modes of transport

3. reward carpoolers

4. charge trucks for road damage

benefits of parks

1. soothing for residents

2. regular climate, provide habitat and air/water purification

3. trees absorb street runoff, prevents floodings

greenway

strip of land connecting parks or neighborhoods; protects water quality and provide wildlife corridor

greenbelt

long wide corridors of parkland

green buildings

structures that use tech/design to minimize ecofootprint from construction/operation

resource sinks

cities reliant on imported resources, relying on large expanses of land elsewhere to supply resources

urban ecology

field that syas that cities can be viewed like ecosystems

ways to implement green building design

1. water-saving sinks and toilets

2. energy-efficient lights and appliances

3. landscaping with native

4. deciduous vegetation

5. solar collectors, photovoltaic solar panels