Biomes, Biodiversity, and Human Impact on Ecosystems

Vocabulary practice flashcards covering Canadian biomes, aquatic ecosystems, ecological succession, species at risk, pollution types, and agricultural/urban practices.

Nutrients

Chemical substances, such as nitrogen and carbon, that help keep ecosystems balanced and are constantly recycled through biogeochemical cycles.

Decomposition

The ecological process of breaking down dead matter, such as dead organisms, and returning the nutrients to the surrounding environment.

Decomposers

Organisms that get energy by consuming dead plant and animal matter, such as fungi, bacteria, earthworms, mold, yeast, dung beetles, and nematodes.

Biome

A large geographical region defined by climate, especially temperature and precipitation, with specific biotic and abiotic features.

Tundra Biome

The most northern terrestrial biome in Canada; a cold desert with permafrost, reduced photosynthesis, and slow decomposition.

Temperate Deciduous Forest

A terrestrial biome with warmer weather, a longer growing season, fast decomposition, and trees such as maple, oak, and ash.

Boreal Forest

The largest biome in Canada, characterized by warm summers, harsh winters, high rainfall, acidic soil, and coniferous trees with thick needles.

Grasslands

Terrestrial biomes, also known as prairies, that feature hot, dry summers, rich soil from fast decomposition, and few or no trees.

Mountain Forest Biome

The largest of Canada's smaller terrestrial biomes, located on the west coast.

Bogs and Marshes

Shallow freshwater ecosystems that contain high amounts of nutrients and support large populations of animals, insects, and birds.

Estuaries

Marine ecosystems rich in marine life where rivers meet ocean waters, such as the Gulf of St. Lawrence.

Intertidal Zone

The coastal area between low-tide and high-tide zones that is home to species capable of surviving harsh weather conditions.

Bay of Fundy

A marine region known for having the highest tides in the world, reaching up to $17\,\text{metres}$.

Biodiversity

The variety of life in a particular ecosystem, serving as ecological life support that helps ecosystems remain sustainable.

Extinction

The stage when a species dies out completely and no longer exists anywhere on Earth.

Equilibrium

The state of an ecosystem where conditions stay relatively constant over a period of time.

Succession

The predictable process of regrowth through which balance is slowly restored in existing communities following a disturbance.

Primary Succession

Ecological succession that occurs on newly exposed ground, such as after a volcanic eruption.

Secondary Succession

Ecological succession that occurs after a partial disturbance, such as a forest fire or severe pollution.

Special Concern

A risk status for a species that may become threatened or endangered because of several different factors.

Threatened

A risk status for a species that is likely to become endangered if the factors reducing its survival are not changed.

Endangered

A risk status for a species facing imminent danger of going extinct or becoming extirpated.

Extirpated

A status for a species that no longer exists in a specific area but still exists somewhere else, such as in a zoo or sanctuary.

Habitat Loss

The process where natural habitat is destroyed or replaced by human activity, such as farmland or urban developments.

Fragmentation

The breaking or dividing of natural ecosystems into smaller pieces called fragments.

Introduced Species

A non-native species that is brought into and lives in an ecosystem where it was not naturally found.

Invasive Species

A non-native species that survives and reproduces successfully, causing harm to its new ecosystem.

Species Diversity

The number and variety of different species present in a specific area.

Chemical Control

The use of pesticides to manage invasive species, which can potentially harm native species and pollute the environment.

Mechanical Control

The physical removal of invasive species using methods such as pulling and burning plants, hunting animals, or constructing barriers.

Biological Control

The practice of introducing a predator or consumer to remove or eliminate an invasive species.

Pollution

The release of harmful substances into the environment, categorized into air, land, and water pollution.

Air Pollutant

Any physical or biological factor that alters the natural makeup of the atmosphere.

Acid Precipitation

Precipitation that becomes acidic when sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides combine with water vapour, lowering rain pH down to around $\text{pH } 4.0$.

Agroecosystem

A man-made, engineered ecosystem created mainly to grow crops for human consumption.

Monoculture

The agricultural practice of growing only one type of crop in a given area of land.

Pest

Any plant, animal, or organism that causes illness, harm, or annoyance to humans.

Pesticide

A chemical substance used to kill or control unwanted pests.

Broad-Spectrum Pesticides

Pesticides formulated to kill a wide variety of different creatures.

Narrow-Spectrum Pesticides

Pesticides that target and kill specific, fewer types of creatures.

Bioaccumulation

The process where a substance, such as a pesticide, accumulates to high levels inside a single organism because it cannot be eliminated.

Biomagnification

The process where the concentration of a chemical poison increases as it moves higher up the food chain.

No-Tillage Farming

An agricultural method of growing crops without disturbing the soil, often leaving stalks and plant debris behind.

Crop Rotation

The practice of planting different crops sequentially on the same piece of land to improve nutrient cycling.

Crop Selection

Choosing crops that are best suited to a specific area based on available environmental resources.

Integrated Pest Management (IPM)

A pest management strategy that uses pesticides only when necessary and in the smallest effective doses.

Urban Ecosystems

Human-engineered city environments characterized by low biodiversity, non-native plants, reliance on outside resources, and human-managed water and nutrient cycles.