Human Impacts on Ecosystems

These flashcards cover key vocabulary from the lecture notes on human impacts on ecosystems, particularly focusing on aquatic systems.

Range of Tolerance

The range of environmental conditions in which an organism can survive and reproduce.

Physiological Stress

Physical strain on an organism when environmental conditions fall outside of its range of tolerance.

Coral Bleaching

A phenomenon where corals expel the algae living in their tissues due to stress, leading to a loss of color and vital nutrients.

Oil Spill

An accidental or intentional discharge of petroleum hydrocarbons into the environment, particularly marine areas.

Dead Zones

Areas in oceans with low oxygen levels caused by nutrient pollution, leading to the death of marine life.

Eutrophication

The enrichment of water bodies with nutrients, leading to excessive growth of algae and reduced oxygen levels.

Microplastics

Tiny plastic particles less than 5mm in size, which can accumulate in aquatic ecosystems and enter the food chain.

Biomagnification

The process where the concentration of toxins increases as they move up the food chain.

BOD (Biological Oxygen Demand)

A measure of the amount of oxygen that microorganisms will consume while decomposing organic matter in water.

Sedimentation

The process where particles of soil and sand are carried into bodies of water, affecting water clarity and quality.

Cyanide Fishing

A destructive fishing practice where sodium cyanide is used to stun fish, harming coral reefs in the process.

Acid Mine Drainage

Water polluted with heavy metals and acidity due to chemical reactions with sulfide minerals.