Apes Ch 9

water vapor

greenhouse gas from evaporation

carbon dioxide

largest anthropogenic cause- fossil fuels

methane

largest producer- livestock digestion

nitrous oxide

largest producer- agriculture

sulfur oxides

air pollutant but not greenhouse gas

carbon dioxide

standard for global warming potential (1)

25

methane global warming potential

albedo

the proportion of the incident light or radiation that is reflected by a surface, typically that of a planet or moon.

300

nitrous oxide global warming potential

less than 1

water vapor global warming potential

how can gov't reduce

lower caps, switch to greener energy

Paris Climate Agreement

An agreement within the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change dealing with greenhouse gas emissions mitigation, adaptation and finance starting in the year 2020.

Know the different reasons to protect biodiversity.

Biodiversity provides ecosystem services, supports food security, maintains genetic diversity, aids in climate regulation, and has cultural, recreational, and economic value.

List the natural services and functions provided by forests.

Forests provide oxygen production, carbon sequestration, water filtration, soil stabilization, habitat for species, and climate regulation.

Describe the effects of deforestation.

Deforestation leads to habitat destruction, loss of biodiversity, increased greenhouse gas emissions, soil erosion, disruption of water cycles, and climate change.

Examine the effectiveness of the national timber program.

The effectiveness varies; sustainable practices help reduce deforestation, but enforcement issues and overharvesting remain challenges.

Describe the pros and cons of each of the three tree harvesting methods.

Clear-cutting: Pro—efficient and inexpensive; Con—harms ecosystems. Selective cutting: Pro—less ecological impact; Con—labor-intensive. Strip cutting: Pro—minimizes soil erosion; Con—can still fragment habitats.

Explain the reason it can be said that fire is a good thing.

Fire helps clear debris, promotes nutrient cycling, supports fire-adapted species, and reduces the risk of larger wildfires.

Outline the function and jurisdiction of the following:

U.S. Forest Service: Manages national forests for multiple uses, including recreation and logging.

Forest Stewardship Council: Certifies sustainable forest management practices.

USFWS: Protects endangered species and manages wildlife refuges.

Nature Conservancy: Conserves lands and waters through private funding and partnerships.

National Marine Fisheries Service: Protects marine species and habitats.

National Park Service: Manages national parks for conservation and public enjoyment.

Understand the regulations put forth by and the limitations on the following:

Wilderness Act: Designates wilderness areas, but limited funding hampers enforcement. Roadless Rule: Protects undeveloped forest lands, but faces opposition from timber industries. Endangered Species Act: Protects species at risk of extinction but is criticized for being slow and underfunded. CITES: Regulates international trade of endangered species, but enforcement varies across countries.

Know which countries contain a large percentage of the world's rainforest and are practicing deforestation.

Brazil, Indonesia, DR Congo, Peru, and Malaysia.

Know how much of the Earth's land area is covered by: a) forests and b) tropical forests.

a) Forests—31%; b) Tropical forests—12%.

Know the primary causes and factors driving deforestation.

Agriculture, logging, urbanization, infrastructure development, and mining.

What kinds of things would be involved in the restoration of grasslands?

Grazing management, invasive species removal, controlled burns, and replanting native species.

What percentage of wilderness areas are protected by law and what percentage do conservationists suggest be protected?

12% is protected; conservationists suggest 50% should be protected.

How should a nature reserve be designed?

Reserves should be large, connected by corridors, and include buffer zones to reduce edge effects.

Know the top 5 biodiversity hotspots in North America.

California Floristic Province, Hawaiian Islands, Madrean Pine-Oak Woodlands, Appalachian Mountains, and the Everglades.

Describe biocultural restoration.

Restoration that integrates ecological recovery with cultural traditions and knowledge of local communities.

Distinguish among rehabilitation, restoration, replacement, and reconciliation ecology.

Rehabilitation: Restoring some ecosystem functions. Restoration: Returning to original state. Replacement: Substituting an ecosystem with a different one. Reconciliation ecology: Integrating human activities into ecosystems.

Distinguish among the following terms: background extinction, local extinction, biological extinction, ecological extinction.

Background extinction: Natural low-level extinction rate. Local extinction: Extinction in a specific area. Biological extinction: Complete global extinction. Ecological extinction: Species no longer plays its ecological role.

What is the current rate of extinction?

100 to 1,000 times the natural background rate.

Explain the species-area relationship concept.

Larger habitats support more species, and habitat loss disproportionately reduces biodiversity.

Know the major threats that put species at risk of extinction in order of the threat they pose.

Habitat loss, invasive species, pollution, climate change, and overexploitation.

Describe the problems associated with habitat fragmentation.

It isolates populations, reduces genetic diversity, and increases edge effects.

What characteristics make a species more prone to extinction?

Small population size, specialized habitat, low reproduction rates, and sensitivity to environmental changes.

What are the characteristics of successful invasive species?

High reproduction rate, generalist diet, rapid growth, and lack of natural predators.

How many captive individuals would be needed for/to prevent extinction or to allow for biological evolution?

At least 500 for genetic health and 5,000 for long-term evolution.

Has deforestation accelerated in the United States?

Yes, in some areas due to urban expansion and agriculture, but reforestation efforts offset some losses.

Know the problems associated with poaching and bush meat.

Leads to overhunting, species loss, and illegal trade networks.

Understand one of the major issues affecting the protection of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

Air pollution from nearby urban areas and vehicle emissions.

Which greenhouse gases are found in the troposphere?

Carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), nitrous oxide (N2O), ozone (O3), water vapor (H2O), and chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs).

Know the different reasons to protect biodiversity.

Biodiversity provides ecosystem services, supports food security, maintains genetic diversity, aids in climate regulation, and has cultural, recreational, and economic value.

List the natural services and functions provided by forests.

Forests provide oxygen production, carbon sequestration, water filtration, soil stabilization, habitat for species, and climate regulation.

Describe the effects of deforestation.

Deforestation leads to habitat destruction, loss of biodiversity, increased greenhouse gas emissions, soil erosion, disruption of water cycles, and climate change.

Examine the effectiveness of the national timber program.

The effectiveness varies; sustainable practices help reduce deforestation, but enforcement issues and overharvesting remain challenges.

Describe the pros and cons of each of the three tree harvesting methods.

Clear-cutting: Pro—efficient and inexpensive; Con—harms ecosystems. Selective cutting: Pro—less ecological impact; Con—labor-intensive. Strip cutting: Pro—minimizes soil erosion; Con—can still fragment habitats.

Explain the reason it can be said that fire is a good thing.

Fire helps clear debris, promotes nutrient cycling, supports fire-adapted species, and reduces the risk of larger wildfires.

Outline the function and jurisdiction of the following:

U.S. Forest Service: Manages national forests for multiple uses, including recreation and logging.

Forest Stewardship Council: Certifies sustainable forest management practices.

USFWS: Protects endangered species and manages wildlife refuges.

Nature Conservancy: Conserves lands and waters through private funding and partnerships.

National Marine Fisheries Service: Protects marine species and habitats.

National Park Service: Manages national parks for conservation and public enjoyment.

Understand the regulations put forth by and the limitations on the following:

Wilderness Act: Designates wilderness areas, but limited funding hampers enforcement. Roadless Rule: Protects undeveloped forest lands, but faces opposition from timber industries. Endangered Species Act: Protects species at risk of extinction but is criticized for being slow and underfunded. CITES: Regulates international trade of endangered species, but enforcement varies across countries.

Know which countries contain a large percentage of the world's rainforest and are practicing deforestation.

Brazil, Indonesia, DR Congo, Peru, and Malaysia.

Know how much of the Earth's land area is covered by: a) forests and b) tropical forests.

a) Forests—31%; b) Tropical forests—12%.

Know the primary causes and factors driving deforestation.

Agriculture, logging, urbanization, infrastructure development, and mining.

What kinds of things would be involved in the restoration of grasslands?

Grazing management, invasive species removal, controlled burns, and replanting native species.

What percentage of wilderness areas are protected by law and what percentage do conservationists suggest be protected?

12% is protected; conservationists suggest 50% should be protected.

How should a nature reserve be designed?

Reserves should be large, connected by corridors, and include buffer zones to reduce edge effects.

Know the top 5 biodiversity hotspots in North America.

California Floristic Province, Hawaiian Islands, Madrean Pine-Oak Woodlands, Appalachian Mountains, and the Everglades.

Describe biocultural restoration.

Restoration that integrates ecological recovery with cultural traditions and knowledge of local communities.

Distinguish among rehabilitation, restoration, replacement, and reconciliation ecology.

Rehabilitation: Restoring some ecosystem functions. Restoration: Returning to original state. Replacement: Substituting an ecosystem with a different one. Reconciliation ecology: Integrating human activities into ecosystems.

Distinguish among the following terms: background extinction, local extinction, biological extinction, ecological extinction.

Background extinction: Natural low-level extinction rate. Local extinction: Extinction in a specific area. Biological extinction: Complete global extinction. Ecological extinction: Species no longer plays its ecological role.

What is the current rate of extinction?

100 to 1,000 times the natural background rate.

Explain the species-area relationship concept.

Larger habitats support more species, and habitat loss disproportionately reduces biodiversity.

Know the major threats that put species at risk of extinction in order of the threat they pose.

Habitat loss, invasive species, pollution, climate change, and overexploitation.

Describe the problems associated with habitat fragmentation.

It isolates populations, reduces genetic diversity, and increases edge effects.

What characteristics make a species more prone to extinction?

Small population size, specialized habitat, low reproduction rates, and sensitivity to environmental changes.

What are the characteristics of successful invasive species?

High reproduction rate, generalist diet, rapid growth, and lack of natural predators.

How many captive individuals would be needed for/to prevent extinction or to allow for biological evolution?

At least 500 for genetic health and 5,000 for long-term evolution.

Has deforestation accelerated in the United States?

Yes, in some areas due to urban expansion and agriculture, but reforestation efforts offset some losses.

Know the problems associated with poaching and bush meat.

Leads to overhunting, species loss, and illegal trade networks.

Understand one of the major issues affecting the protection of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

Air pollution from nearby urban areas and vehicle emissions.

Which greenhouse gases are found in the troposphere?

Carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), nitrous oxide (N2O), ozone (O3), water vapor (H2O), and chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs).

Know the effects of changing temperatures on the ocean.

Rising temperatures lead to coral bleaching, altered ocean currents, reduced oxygen levels, and loss of marine biodiversity.

What are the effects of increased carbon dioxide?

Increased CO2 causes ocean acidification, disrupts marine ecosystems, contributes to global warming, and affects plant and animal respiration.

What are the effects and subsequent consequences associated with global warming and permafrost?

Melting permafrost releases methane and CO2, contributes to rising sea levels, destabilizes infrastructure, and alters ecosystems.

Know what global warming potential is and which greenhouse gases have the highest global warming potential.

Global warming potential (GWP) measures a gas's ability to trap heat over time. Gases with the highest GWP include CFCs, HFCs, and nitrous oxide (N2O).

What is the role of ozone in the stratosphere?

Ozone absorbs harmful UV radiation, protecting living organisms from DNA damage.

Why was it important to reduce the presence of CFCs in the atmosphere?

CFCs destroy stratospheric ozone, leading to the depletion of the ozone layer and increased UV radiation reaching Earth.

What are methods of carbon sequestration?

Carbon can be sequestered through reforestation, soil management, and carbon capture and storage (CCS) technologies.

Describe how practices (of energy use) would be considered carbon neutral.

Practices are carbon neutral if they emit no net carbon, such as relying on renewable energy or offsetting emissions through reforestation.

Know examples of positive and negative feedback loops from global warming.

Positive feedback: Melting ice reduces albedo, causing more heat absorption. Negative feedback: Increased plant growth absorbs more CO2.

Know what actions governments could take to slow global warming.

Governments can implement carbon taxes, invest in renewable energy, regulate emissions, and reforest degraded areas.

Identify key features of the Paris Climate Agreement.

The agreement aims to limit global warming to below 2°C, requires nations to set emissions targets, and provides financial support for developing countries.

What is carbon sequestration?

Carbon sequestration involves capturing and storing CO2 from the atmosphere or emissions to mitigate climate change.

Describe 3 approaches to carbon sequestration.

Reforestation, direct air capture technology, and storing CO2 in geological formations.

What does it mean for a practice to be carbon neutral?

A practice is carbon neutral if it balances the amount of CO2 emitted with an equivalent amount removed or offset.

List four consequences of global warming.

Rising sea levels, extreme weather events, loss of biodiversity, and disruptions to agriculture.

What are the two ways that the rise in global temperatures affects sea levels?

Thermal expansion of seawater and melting ice caps and glaciers.

Identify three consequences of melting permafrost.

Release of greenhouse gases, destabilization of buildings and roads, and altered ecosystems.

How are ocean currents affected by global warming?

Warming disrupts thermohaline circulation, slows currents like the Gulf Stream, and alters climate patterns.