APES Unit 9 Review - Global Change

Flashcards for AP Environmental Science Unit 9, covering Global Change, including stratospheric ozone depletion, the greenhouse effect, global climate change, ocean warming, ocean acidification, invasive species, endangered species, and human threats to biodiversity.

Stratospheric Ozone Depletion

A process where the stratospheric ozone layer is thinned, primarily by anthropogenic factors like CFCs and natural factors.

Stratospheric Ozone Layer

A layer of ozone (O3) in the stratosphere important for the evolution and continued health of life on Earth by absorbing harmful UV radiation.

UV Rays (Ultraviolet Radiation)

Radiation from the sun; increased exposure due to ozone depletion can lead to skin cancer and cataracts in humans, and tissue damage and DNA mutation in other life.

Ozone (O3)

A molecule formed in the stratosphere when a free oxygen atom combines with an O2 molecule; it absorbs UV-C and UV-B radiation.

Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs)

Primary anthropogenic chemicals, formerly used as refrigerants and propellants, that release chlorine atoms when exposed to UV radiation, leading to ozone breakdown.

Chlorine Atom (Cl)

A highly electronegative atom released from CFCs that bonds to one of the oxygen atoms of ozone (O3), converting it into oxygen (O2); one atom can destroy up to 100,000 ozone molecules.

Polar Stratospheric Clouds (PSCs)

Clouds made of water and nitric acid that form in consistent -100°F temperatures above Antarctica, facilitating reactions that release Cl2, contributing to natural ozone depletion.

Hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs)

Substitutes for ozone-depleting chemicals like CFCs; they do not deplete the ozone layer but can be strong greenhouse gases.

Montreal Protocol (1987)

A global agreement established in 1987 to phase out the production of CFCs from refrigerators, aerosols, and other uses to protect the ozone layer.

HCFCs (Hydrochlorofluorocarbons)

Temporary replacements for CFCs, containing hydrogen; they still deplete ozone and act as greenhouse gases, but to a lesser degree than CFCs.

HFOs (Hydrofluoroolefins)

Replacements for HFCs, containing C-C double bonds that shorten their atmospheric lifetime and global warming potential.

Greenhouse Effect

The process where gases in Earth's atmosphere trap heat from the sun and radiate it back to Earth, resulting in the surface temperature necessary for life.

Greenhouse Gases (GHGs)

Gases in Earth's atmosphere that trap heat from the sun and radiate it back down to Earth, creating the greenhouse effect; includes CO2, CH4, N2O, CFCs, and water vapor.

Global Warming Potential (GWP)

A measure of how much a given molecule of gas contributes to the warming of the atmosphere over a 100-year period, relative to CO2 (which has a GWP of 1).

Albedo

The reflectivity of a surface; lighter, higher albedo surfaces reflect sunlight, while darker, lower albedo surfaces absorb it and release infrared radiation.

Carbon Dioxide (CO2)

A principal greenhouse gas from fossil fuel combustion, decomposition, and deforestation, with a GWP of 1.

Methane (CH4)

A principal greenhouse gas from natural gas extraction and combustion, animal agriculture, and anaerobic decomposition (especially permafrost thaw), with a GWP significantly higher than CO2.

Nitrous Oxide (N2O)

A principal greenhouse gas primarily from agricultural soils (denitrification of nitrate, especially in overwatered, over-fertilized soils), with a GWP significantly higher than methane.

Water Vapor (H2O)

A greenhouse gas from evaporation and transpiration; it doesn't significantly contribute to global climate change because it has a short residence time in the atmosphere.

Residence Time

How long a molecule of gas stays in the atmosphere, one of the two factors determining its Global Warming Potential (GWP).

Infrared Absorption

How well a gas absorbs and radiates infrared radiation, one of the two factors determining its Global Warming Potential (GWP).

Thermal Expansion

The process where ocean water molecules move slightly further apart when heated, increasing the volume of the ocean and contributing to sea level rise.

Sea Level Rise

An increase in the global average sea level, caused by thermal expansion of ocean water and the melting of continental ice sheets and glaciers.

Saltwater Intrusion

The pushing of saltwater into groundwater, contaminating wells and affecting freshwater supplies, often exacerbated by sea level rise.

Disease Vectors

Living organisms (e.g., mosquitoes, ticks, fleas) that can transmit diseases from human to human or animal to human; their range can expand with warmer temperatures.

Milankovitch Cycles

Predictable long-term variations in Earth's climate due to changes in Earth's orbit around the sun (eccentricity and obliquity).

Foraminifera Shells

Microfossil evidence found in ocean sediments, used to estimate historical ocean temperatures based on the temperature tolerance of different species.

Ice Cores

Cylinders of ice containing ancient atmospheric gas (CO2 levels) and isotope concentrations (16O vs. 18O), used to reconstruct Earth's historical climate data.

Permafrost

Permanently frozen tundra soils that, when thawed due to rising temperatures, release methane and CO2 from anaerobic decomposition, acting as a positive feedback loop for warming.

Hadley Cell

A large-scale atmospheric circulation pattern that expands and shifts subtropical zones (dry, desert biomes) toward the poles as the temperature difference between the equator and poles decreases.

Jet Stream

A narrow, fast-moving current of air in the upper atmosphere; a weakened, destabilized jet stream (due to reduced temperature difference between polar and subtropical regions) can lead to extreme weather events.

Thermohaline Circulation (Ocean Conveyor Belt)

A global ocean current that redistributes heat, salt, and nutrients by mixing ocean waters; it could slow or stop due to ice melt introducing cold, fresh water, impacting global climate.

Polar Amplification

The phenomenon where polar regions, especially the Arctic, warm faster than other regions due to factors like melting sea ice exposing darker ocean water, creating a positive feedback loop.

Positive Feedback Loop (Climate Change)

A process where melting sea ice exposes darker ocean water, which absorbs more sunlight, leading to more ice melting and further warming of polar regions.

Soot/Particulate Matter (PM)

Dark air pollutants that, when deposited on ice and snow, lower their albedo and cause them to absorb more heat, accelerating melting.

Ocean Warming

The increase in ocean temperature caused by the absorption of heat transferred from the atmosphere, driven by increased greenhouse gases, affecting marine species and ecosystems.

Toxic Algae Blooms

Occurrences of toxic blue-green algae, which prefer warmer waters and can release toxins, kill marine species, block sunlight, and lead to hypoxia.

Coral Bleaching

The process where corals lose their photosynthetic algae (zooxanthellae) due to high water temperatures, causing them to turn white, become stressed, and vulnerable to disease.

Zooxanthellae

Photosynthetic algae that live in a mutualistic relationship with corals, providing sugar; they leave the reef when water temperature rises, causing coral bleaching.

Ocean Acidification

The decrease in pH of the oceans, primarily caused by increased CO2 concentrations in the atmosphere dissolving in ocean water to form carbonic acid.

Carbonic Acid (H2CO3)

An acid formed when atmospheric CO2 combines with ocean water, which then dissociates into bicarbonate and hydrogen ions, contributing to ocean acidification.

Hydrogen Ion (H+)

An ion released when carbonic acid dissociates in ocean water, increasing ocean acidity and bonding with available carbonate ions, making them less available for calcification.

Calcium Carbonate (CaCO3)

The material used by marine organisms (like corals and mollusks) to build their shells; its availability decreases due to ocean acidification, hindering calcification.

Calcification

The process by which marine organisms form shells and skeletons using calcium and carbonate ions; it is hindered by ocean acidification as carbonate ions become less available.

Invasive Species

Species that can live and sometimes thrive outside of their normal habitat, often threatening native species by outcompeting them for resources.

R-selected Species

Species characterized by high biotic potential, low parental care, and high adaptability, making them more likely to be invasive and thrive in new environments.

Generalist Species

Species with diverse habitat and food needs, highly adaptable to various conditions, making them more likely to be invasive.

Zebra Mussel

An invasive aquatic species transported by ship ballast water, known for being an aggressive filter feeder that clogs intake pipes and outcompetes native species for food.

Kudzu Vine

An invasive plant species planted to limit soil erosion in the southern US, which grows very rapidly and outcompetes native plants for sunlight.

Asian Carp

Invasive fish species brought to control algae in aquatic farms, escaped into the Mississippi River, outcompeting native fish for food and space and decreasing fishery production.

Emerald Ash Borer

An invasive beetle species spread by wood packing materials, whose larvae eat their way into the phloem, disrupting tree nutrient transport and killing ash trees.

Cane Toad

An invasive toad species introduced to Australia to eat cane beetles, which became invasive due to its huge appetite and aggressive nature, decimating native animal populations.

Pythons (FL)

Invasive predators in Florida, particularly the Everglades, that have decimated native mammal populations due to their aggressive hunting and lack of natural predators in the new environment.

Biological Control

A method of controlling invasive species by introducing a natural predator or parasite from their native range to limit their population (e.g., Chinese wasps for emerald ash borer).

Endangered Species

Species threatened with extinction due to various factors such as extensive hunting, limited diet, competition from invasive species, or specific habitat requirements.

Poaching

The illegal hunting or capture of wild animals, often exotic species, for their fur, tusks, horns, or for sale as pets, leading to population decline and endangering species.

Sepecialist Species

Species with specific food or habitat needs, making them less tolerant of changing environmental conditions, more prone to endangerment, and less likely to move or adapt.

CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species)

An international agreement signed by countries to set up agencies to monitor and regulate the import and export of endangered species, as specified by the IUCN Red List.

Endangered Species Act (US)

A US law giving the US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) the power to designate species as endangered or threatened, monitor trade, and purchase land critical to these species’ habitats.

IUCN Red List

A worldwide list that classifies species by their risk of extinction, categorizing them from 'Least Concern' to 'Critically Endangered' and 'Extinct'.

Amphibians

A taxon with 41% of species endangered, especially vulnerable to climate change due to their biphasic life (relying on water and land) and highly permeable skin.

Warm Water Coral

A taxon with 33% of species endangered, threatened by changing ocean temperature (coral bleaching) and pH (ocean acidification from increased atmospheric CO2).

Conifers

A taxon with 34% of species endangered, threatened by disease and warming temperatures expanding insect pest ranges; coniferous forests sequester significant amounts of CO2.

Generalist Species

Species more likely to move to new habitats and adapt to new conditions, advantaged by rapidly changing habitat conditions, making them least likely to be endangered.

Interspecific Competition

Competition for resources (food, nest sites, water) among members of different species, which can cause species to become threatened, especially with habitat disruption.

HIPPCO

An acronym representing the main human-related factors leading to a decrease in biodiversity: Habitat destruction, Invasive species, Population growth, Pollution, Climate change, and Over exploitation.

Habitat Fragmentation

The breaking of larger, continuous habitats into smaller, isolated patches, disrupting breeding, hunting, and migration patterns for species.

Roads & Pipelines

Infrastructure that fragments habitats, disrupts animal movement, and can lead to fatal collisions with vehicles for wildlife.

Agricultural & Urban Land Use

Processes that involve clearing forests and grasslands for farming or development, leading to extensive habitat fragmentation.

Logging

Both the removal of trees and the construction of logging roads to transport lumber fragment forest ecosystems.

Metapopulations

Mostly isolated, smaller subpopulations connected by habitat corridors, which can allow some gene flow (mating between populations) and improve genetic diversity, making them more resilient.

Habitat Corridors

Connections between fragmented habitats that enable movement and breeding between subpopulations, helping to maintain genetic diversity and population viability.

Edge Effect

The phenomenon where the characteristics of an 'edge habitat' (where two ecosystems meet) differ from the interior of each ecosystem, potentially expanding the range of disruptive species.

Brown-headed Cowbird

A brood parasite that thrives in grassland-forest edge habitats, laying its eggs in the nests of songbirds for them to raise, unknowingly.

Soil Desiccation

The drying out of soil due to decreased precipitation from warming global temperatures, leading to reduced viability and potential desertification.

Desertification

The process by which fertile land becomes desert, often due to changes in rainfall patterns and soil desiccation exacerbated by climate change.

Domestication

The management of species (e.g., livestock, honeybees) for economic returns, which generally leads to selective breeding and reduced genetic and species biodiversity.

Wildlife Preserves

Protected areas designated for important habitats, preventing hunting, development, and fragmentation to allow species to breed and reestablish their population sizes.

Urban Growth Boundaries

Strategies used in land-use planning to limit urban sprawl by setting geographical limits on development, helping to preserve existing habitats.

Infill Development

The process of developing unused or underutilized land within existing urban areas rather than expanding outwards, which helps preserve open space and habitats.

Green Roofs

Roofs covered with vegetation, which can provide habitat for many species in urban environments and offer other ecological benefits.