ch18 Ecology and Human Impacts

Flashcards based on key concepts and facts from the Ecology and Human Impacts lecture notes.

What is ecology?

The study of the environment and how organisms interact with each other and their physical environments.

Define the biosphere.

The biosphere consists of all of Earth’s organisms and the physical spaces they inhabit, crucial for human survival and well-being.

What is a biotic factor?

A biotic factor refers to living organisms within an ecosystem.

What is an abiotic factor?

An abiotic factor refers to nonliving elements in an environment, such as weather and climate.

Differentiate between climate and weather.

Weather is short-term atmospheric conditions; climate is the long-term pattern of weather in a region.

What is the greenhouse effect?

The greenhouse effect is the warming of Earth caused by greenhouse gases trapping heat from the Earth's surface.

What is the gas most responsible for the greenhouse effect?

Carbon dioxide (CO2) is the gas most responsible for the greenhouse effect.

Compare the hydrologic cycle and the carbon cycle.

The hydrologic cycle involves the movement of water, while the carbon cycle describes the flow of carbon among different reservoirs.

How does global warming contribute to climate change?

Global warming causes significant increases in Earth’s average surface temperature, leading to alterations in climate systems.

List at least five consequences of climate change.

1. Rising sea levels 2. Increased frequency of extreme weather 3. Loss of biodiversity 4. Greater incidence of wildfires 5. Food insecurity.

What is an ecological footprint?

An ecological footprint measures the biologically productive land and water an individual/population requires to sustain their consumption and absorb their waste.

What is biodiversity?

Biodiversity is the variety of species in an ecological community.

What are ecosystem services?

Benefits provided by ecosystems that contribute to human life, including provisioning, regulating, cultural, and supporting services.

What causes declining biodiversity?

Habitat loss, pollution, invasive species, overuse of resources, and population growth.

What is the consequence of deforestation in the Amazon?

Increased landslides, erosion, nutrient loss, flooding, and higher carbon emissions.

How does climate change affect food sources?

Climate change leads to increased crop failures and depletion of important fisheries.

What is the difference between a carbon sink and a carbon source?

A carbon sink absorbs more carbon than it releases; a carbon source releases more carbon than it absorbs.

Name one benefit of trees as carbon sinks.

Trees absorb CO2, thereby mitigating climate change.

How does the tilt of the Earth affect seasons?

The tilt of the Earth causes seasons by influencing the angle at which sunlight strikes the planet, leading to warmer or cooler periods.