Unit 9 APES key terms

anthropogenic

Environmental changes or processes that are caused by human activities.

CFC's

synthetic compounds made up of carbon, chlorine, and fluorine atoms. They were commonly used in aerosol propellants, refrigerants, and foam-blowing agents but have been phased out due to their harmful effects on the ozone layer.

Coral Bleaching

when coral reefs lose their vibrant colors due to stress, such as increased water temperatures or pollution. This can lead to the death of the coral if the stress is prolonged.

Effects of climate change

1. Human Health Risks

2. Threats to food and water security

3. Loss of Biodiversity

4. Ocean Warming and Acidification

5. Extreme weather events

6. Melting Glaciers and rising sea levels

7. Rising Global temperatures

Endangered species

species are organisms that are at risk of becoming extinct due to a low population size or declining habitat. They require special protection and conservation efforts to prevent their extinction.

Endangered Species Act

U.S. law enacted in 1973 that aims to protect and recover endangered and threatened species and their habitats. It provides legal protection for listed species, prohibits harm or harassment to them, and requires the development of recovery plans.

Name 5 Green House Gases

1. Carbon Dioxide

2. Methane

3. Nitrous Oxide

4. Ozone

5. CFC's

GWP

a measure of how much heat a greenhouse gas can trap in the atmosphere over a specific time period, compared to carbon dioxide.

Habitat Fragmentation

occurs when large areas of habitat are divided into smaller, isolated fragments due to human activities such as urbanization or deforestation. This separation can disrupt ecological processes and lead to a loss of biodiversity.

HFC's

synthetic greenhouse gases commonly used as replacements for CFCs and HCFCs in various applications like air conditioning and refrigeration. They do not deplete the ozone layer but have a high global warming potential.

HIPPCO

an acronym that represents the key human-induced factors threatening biodiversity: Habitat destruction, Invasive species, Pollution, Population growth, Climate change, and Overexploitation. Each of these elements significantly contributes to the loss of species and degradation of ecosystems, highlighting the profound impact humans have on the planet's biological diversity.

Invasive species

non-native organisms that cause harm to the environment, economy, or human health. They outcompete native species for resources and disrupt ecosystems. They are r-selected and generalists

Kyoto Protocol

an international agreement that aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and combat climate change. It sets binding targets for developed countries to reduce their emissions below the levels of a specific base year.

Montreal Protocol

an international environmental agreement that aims to protect the ozone layer by phasing out the production and use of substances that deplete it, such as chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs).

Ocean Acidification

occurs when carbon dioxide (CO2) from sources like burning fossil fuels dissolves into seawater and lowers its pH level. This decrease in pH makes seawater more acidic over time, harming marine life such as coral reefs and shellfish.

greenhouse gases

gases in the Earth's atmosphere that trap heat from the sun and contribute to the greenhouse effect.

Ocean conveyor Belt

the movement of ocean waters on a global scale. It is driven by factors such as temperature, salinity, density, and wind patterns, which create currents that distribute heat around the planet.

Ocean Warming

the increase in temperature of the Earth's oceans due to human activities, such as burning fossil fuels and deforestation. This rise in temperature has detrimental effects on marine ecosystems, including coral bleaching and disruption of food chains.

Ozone depletion

the thinning of the ozone layer in Earth's stratosphere due to the release of certain chemicals like CFCs and halons. This thinning allows more harmful ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun to reach the Earth's surface.

Selective pressures

environmental factors that influence which individuals within a population are more likely to survive and reproduce. These pressures can include competition for resources, predation, disease, or climate change.

Stratospheric ozone

the layer of ozone located in the stratosphere which helps protect life on Earth by absorbing most of the sun's harmful ultraviolet (UV) radiation.

tropospheric ozone

(bad one) (Photochemical smog)

one present in the lower part of Earth's atmosphere known as the troposphere. It is formed when pollutants like nitrogen oxides (NOx) and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) react with sunlight.

Why isn't water vapor a GHG

-only in the atmosphere for a short time

-we don't emit that much