Unit 4 - APES

Aquatic Biomes

Ecosystems characterized by water, including freshwater and marine environments.

Freshwater Biomes

Biomes with low salinity, including streams, rivers, lakes, and wetlands.

Oligotrophic Lake

A lake with low nutrients and low phytoplankton, often clear and deep.

Eutrophic Lake

A lake with high fertility, elevated nutrients, and high algae growth.

Estuaries

Areas where freshwater from rivers meets saltwater from the ocean, highly productive.

Mangrove Swamps

Coastal ecosystems characterized by salt-tolerant trees in tropical and subtropical regions.

Coral Reefs

Diverse marine ecosystems found in warm, shallow, nutrient-poor waters.

Divergent Boundary

A tectonic plate boundary where plates move away from each other, causing seafloor spreading.

Subduction

The process where one tectonic plate moves under another, often causing volcanic activity.

Clear-Cutting

A forestry practice that involves removing all trees in a designated area.

LD50

The lethal dose of a chemical that kills 50% of the individuals in a dose-response study.

Invasive Species

Non-native species that spread rapidly and threaten native ecosystems.

Endangered Species Act

A U.S. law designed to protect species at risk of extinction.

Ocean Acidification

The decrease in ocean pH due to increased CO2 absorption, affecting marine life.

Thermal Pollution

The release of heated water into natural bodies of water, affecting aquatic ecosystems.

Biogeography

The study of the distribution of species and ecosystems across geographic locations.

Sustainable Forestry

Forestry practices that aim to meet current needs without compromising future availability.

Aquaculture

The cultivation of aquatic organisms in controlled environments for food production.

Eutrophication

The process where water bodies become enriched with nutrients, often leading to algal blooms.

Noise Pollution

Harmful levels of noise that can lead to physiological stress and ecological disturbances.

Natural Selection

The process where organisms better adapted to their environment tend to survive and reproduce.

Habitat Fragmentation

The splitting of ecosystems into smaller, isolated patches, impacting biodiversity.