APES Winter Final HPHS Weiland part 2

Terms in this set (119)

CERCLA (Superfund)
this law created a tax on the chemical and petroleum industries and provided broad Federal authority to respond directly to releases or threatened releases of hazardous substances that may endanger public health or the environment. Pays for clean up ($ from taxes)
Coevolution
Evolution in which two or more species interact and exert selective pressures on each other that can lead each species to undergo adaptations. One species can lead to changes in the gene pool of another species. (plants and insects)
Cogeneration
production of two useful forms of energy, such as high- temperature heat or steam and electricity, from the same fuel source. (increase efficiency)
convergent evolution
the development of similar structures in organisms that do not share recent common ancestors. (unrelated relationship) dolphin and sharks
Decomposition/ decomposer
organism that digests parts of dead organisms and cast-off fragments and wastes of living organisms by breaking down the complex organic molecules in those materials into simpler inorganic compounds and then absorbing the soluble nutrients. Decomposers consist of various bacteria and fungi. Complex simple
Denitrification
when nitrogen leaves the soil as specialized bacteria in waterlogged soil and in the bottom sediments of lakes, oceans, and swamps convert NH3 to NH4 back into nitrite and nitrate ions and then into nitrogen gas (N2) and nitrous oxide gas N2O. These gases are released into the atmosphere to begin the nitrogen cycle. (75)
detritus feeder
Organisms that extracts nutrients from fragments of dead organisms and their cast-off parts and organic wastes. Eat dead things on the ground. Not considered Decomposers
Detritus
Parts of dead organisms and cast-off fragments and wastes of living organisms.
divergent evolution
is the accumulation of differences between groups which can lead to the formation of new species, usually a result of diffusion of the same species to different and isolated environments which blocks the gene flow among the distinct populations allowing differentiated fixation of characteristics through genetic drift and natural selection. 2 Species split. SPECIATION
Ecosystem
A community where populations of different species interact with one another and with their nonliving environment of matter and energy. Biological and Physical Environment Living= biotic + Nonliving= abiotic
Eutrophication-natural and cultural
Physical, chemical, and biological changes that take place after a lake or estuary receives inputs of plant nutrients- mostly nitrates and phosphates- from natural erosions and runoff from surrounding land basins.
Eutrophication leads to HYPOXIA
Greening of a lake caused by fertilizer runoff. Algae dies, the bacteria spreads and soaks up all the oxygen which kills the fish and creates dead zones.
Cultural Eutrophication
human inputs of nutrients from the atmosphere and from nearby urban and agricultural areas can accelerate the eutrophication of lakes.
Floodplain
flat valley floor next to a stream channel. For legal purposes, the term often applies to any low area that has the potential for flooding, including certain costal areas. They are good farming because its very fertile land. Its constantly replenished with fresh slit washed down in a flood. SILT
Gross primary productivity
(GPP) rate at which an ecosystem's producers capture and store a given amount of chemical energy as biomass in a given length of time. Total energy plant stores
Net Primary Productivity
Net amount of primary production after cost of plant respieration is included. GPP-R= NPP
Gene pool
sum total of all genes found in the individuals of the population of a particular species.
Gasification
the heating and partial combustion of coal to release volatile gases, such as methane and carbon monoxide; after pollutants are washed out, these gases become efficient, clean-burning fuel. Makes fuel portable. Gas from coal
Hydrogen sulfide, H2S
Common chemical found in fluids of hydrothermal vents. When seawater is exposed to the sulfate in volcanic rock below the ocean floor, hydrogen sulfide is formed.
James Bay, Quebec
Bay that transports water. 16,000 megawatss of hydroelectricity. Dam works to generate electricity. Not a tall dam
K strategists
-fewer and larger offspring; - High parental care and protection of offspring; - later reproduction age; - most offspring lives to reproduce; - larger adults; - adapted to stable climate/environmental conditions; - lower population growth rate(r) ; - pop size is stable and close to carrying capacity; -specialist niche; - high ability to compete; - late successional species;
R strategists
Many small offspring; - little t no parenting/ protection; - early reproductive age; - most offspring don't live to reproduce; - small adults; adapted to unstable climate/environment ; Higher population growth rate(r) ; pop. Size changes above/below c.c; - generalist niche; - low ability to compete; - early successional species;
Kissimmee River, Florida
the physical effects of channelization, including alteration of the system's hydrologic characteristics, largely eliminated river and floodplain wetlands and degraded fish and wildlife values of the Kissimmee River ecosystem. Restoration project that is part of the everglades
limiting factor
too much or too little of any abiotic factor can limit or prevent growth of a population, even if all other factors are at or near the optimum range or tolerance. This is how population is controlled.
Lithosphere
is made up of two parts the crust and the mantle(upper and lower mantle). It contains nonrenewable fossil fuels and minerals we use as well as renewable soil chemicals needed for plant life
Methane, CH4
a naturally occurring gas, which is associated with decomposition and with oil deposits. It is a greenhouse gas and burning it, or releasing it to the atmosphere will lead to the creation of carbon dioxide. Burning= CO2. Byproduct of decomposition
Methylation
connected to damaging DNA
mitigation banking
reduces greenhouse gas emissions to slow down the rate of temperature increase and buy time to learn more about how the earth's climate system works and to shift to other non-carbon energy options. Companies use it to make artificial wetlands
Mono Lake, California
desert lake with an unusually productive ecosystem, based on brine shrimp that grow in the lake, and critical nesting habitat for two million migratory birds that feed on the shrimp. Similar to Aral Sea. Deprived of water
NAFTA
North Atlantic Free Trade Agreement
Net primary productivity
the rate at which producers use photosynthesis to store energy minus the rate at which they use some of this stored energy through aerobic respiration. Net energy left after plants burn energy
Niche
way of life for a species
Generalist niche
wide niches Generalist species tolerate a wide range of conditions
Specialist niche
narrow niche specialist species can only tolerate a narrow range of conditions
Fundamental niche
the fully potential range of physical, chemical, and biological conditions and resources a species could theoretically use. (everything)
Realized niche
to survive and avoid competition, a species usually occupies only part of its fundamental
niche.
what actually happens- how an organism lives
Nitrification
Happens when ammonia not taken up by plants may undergo nitrification. Two step process. is the biological oxidation of ammonia with oxygen into nitrite followed by the oxidation of these nitrites into nitrates. Chemical process
Nitrogen dioxide, NO2
is the chemical compound with the formula NO2
Nitrogen fixation
conversion of atmospheric nitrogen gas into forms useful to plants by lightning, bacteria, and cyanobacteria; it is part of the nitrogen cycle. Nitrogen becomes ammonia
Nitrogen, N2
Nitrogen occurs in all living organisms, and the nitrogen cycle describes movement of the element from air into the biosphere and organic compounds, then back into the atmosphere. Synthetically-produced nitrates are key ingredients of industrial fertilizers, and also key pollutants in causing the eutrophication of water systems. 78% of earth
Photosynthesis
Complex process that takes place in cells of green plants. Radiant energy from the sun is used to combine CO2 and H2O to produce O2 and carbohydrates such as glucose (C6H12O6) and other nutrient molecules
Population
Group of individual organisms of the same species living in a particular area
primary succession
ecological succession in a bare area that has never been occupied by a community of organisms.
Secondary succession
ecological succession in an area in which natural vegetation has been removed or destroyed but the soil is not destroyed.
Reclamation of mine land includes
restoring land, bringing in new top soil, grading/smoothing land, phytoremediation. (the glen)
Remediation
the action of remedying something, especially the reversal or stopping of damage to the environment.
Restoration ecology
Restoration ecology practice of renewing and restoring degraded, damaged, or destroyed ecosystems and habitats in the environment by active human intervention and action, within a short time frame
Scavenger
Organism that feeds on dead organisms that were killed by other organisms or died naturally. Example
Species
Group of organisms that resemble one another in appearance, behavior, chemical makeup and processes, and genetic structure. Organisms that reproduce sexually are classified as members of the same species only if they can actually or potentially interbreed with one another and produce fertile offspring.
Species richness
number of different species contained in a community.
Sustainability
ability of earth's various systems, including human cultural systems and economies, to survive and adapt to changing environmental conditions indefinitely.
Synergism
occurs when two or more processes interact so that the combined effect is greater than the sum of their separate effects. 2 is greater than 1
The Antarctic Treaty of 1961
regulates international trade
The Clean Air Act of 1972
one of a number of pieces of legislation relating to the reduction of smog and air pollution in general. The use by governments to enforce clean air standards has contributed to an improvement in human health and longer life spans.
The Montreal Protocol 1987 amended in 1990 and 1992
CFCs or is an international treaty designed to protect the ozone layer by phasing out the production of numerous substances believed to be responsible for ozone depletion.
Three Mile Island, Pennsylvania
the nuclear power plant widely known for having been the site of the most significant accident in United States commercial nuclear energy, on March 28, 1979, when TMI-2 suffered a partial meltdown.
Tolerance
minimum and maximum limits for physical conditions and concentrations of chemical substances beyond which no members of a particular species can survive.
Transpiration
Process in which water is absorbed by the root systems of plants, moves up through the plants, passes through pores in their leaves or other parts, and evaporates into the atmosphere as water vapor.
trophic level
all organisms that are the same number of energy transfers away from the original source of energy that enter an ecosystem. 1st level= all producers 2nd level= all herbivores
Symbiotic relationships
necessary for the survival of at least one of the organisms involved; associations in which one organism lives on another or where one partner lives inside the other.
Keystone species
control interactions in a community (species and numbers). Regulates what happens and if this species is lost the whole population changes.
Foundation species
control/create habitat. Elephants knock down tress to make a habitat.
Indicator species
bright species, 1st to disappear/damage (Bees)
Non-native species
Originally come from outside, migrate or introduced
Native species
Original, always been there
Generalists species
Broad niches
Specialists species
narrow niches
Predator
kills others
efficiencies of an average coal-fired power plant
30-35% =efficiency of coal
What is CITES?-
Convention on International trade in endangered species of wild fauna and flora an international agreement between the government aim control international trade of wild animals to make sure it doesn't endanger the it works
CITES Appendix 1
Animals close to extinction. nearly all trade of these animals is illegal (pandas)
CITES Appendix 2
Includes species not necessarily threatened with extinction, but locally rare.
Migratory Bird Act of 1918
USA entered into agreements with 4 other nations(Canada, Mexico, Japan, and Russia)This law makes it illegal to hunt, kill, sell birds that are migratory Can't take any of the bird's feathers or nests
Lacey Act of 1900
US law prohibits the transport of illegally captured animals across state lines -1st federal law protecting wildlife today its expanded to prevent the import of nonnatives
Habitat Fragmentation
Happens when one large continuous area of habitat is reduced in area and , species into smaller/isolated groups that divided into smaller more scattered, and isolated. This leads to diversity because it divides.
Biogeography
is the study of the distribution of species. Spatially and temporarily.
Island geography
-large islands= more species and -further away from main land= less diverse
Intrinsic values
aesthetics, see wildlife
Extrinsic values
sell/calculate ($)
What characteristics make species prone to extinction?
-low reproductive rate (k)- specialized niche -narrow distribution- feeds at high trophic level -fixed migratory patterns-rare -commercially valuable-large territories
.Local extinction
when a species is no longer found in an area it once inhabited but is still found elsewhere in the world.
Ecological Extinction
When so few members of a species are let that it can no longer play its ecological role in the biological communities where it is found.
Background Extinction
normal extinction of various species as a result of changes in local environmental conditions
Mass Extinction
A catastrophic, widespread often global event in which major groups of species are wiped out over a short time compared with normal (background extinction).
Biological evolution depends on
Must have enough genetic VARIABILITY for a trait to exist; The trait must be HERITABLE; Trait must lead to DIFFERENTIAL REPRODUCTION. It must enable individuals with the trait to leave more offspring than other members of the population.
Doubling time formula.
Td= 70/ r (in percentage)
Mantle
Zone of the earth's interior between its core and its crust. most of it is solid rock Iron & Nickel - under its rigid outer part is the Asthenosphere - hot, partly melted pliable rock that flows and can be deformed like sot plastic
Core
inner zone of the earth. -extremely hot Hot iron radioactive - solid inner core liquid outer core
Lithosphere
Outer shell of the earth composed of crust rock and materials - rigid, most outer part of the mantle outside the asthenosphere- or material found in the earth's plates
Where do we use bauxite for?
In the development of aluminum burned or melted -aluminum process= expensive- recycle aluminum saves 98% of energy
Where are methyl anhydrates found?
frozen rock found in deep sea - expensive and hard to get
Demographic transition
as countries become economically developed, their birth and death rates tend to decline.
Preindustrial Stage Demographic transition
Little population growth due to high infant mortality
Transitional Stage Demographic transition
Industrialization begins, death rate drops and birth rate remains high
Industrial stage Demographic transition
Birth rate drops and approaches death rate
Global warming
Warming of the earth's atmosphere because of increases in the concentrations of one or more greenhouse gases primarily as a result of human activities, melts glaciers, raises ocean levels,
thermal expansion of oceans does what?
also raised ocean levels
Greenhouse effect
natural effect that releases heat in the atmosphere (troposphere) near the earth's surface.
Greenhouse Chemicals
Water vapor, carbon dioxide, ozone, and other gases in the lower atmosphere (troposphere) absorb some of infrared radiation (heat) radiated by the earth's surface.
What processes remove/add CO2 to the earth's atmosphere?
Remove CO2 by growing plants, growing trees, dissolving CO2 in water Add burn things, drive cars, breathing
What is overfishing? ?
Harvesting so many fish of a species, especially not enough breeding stock is left to replenish the species and it becomes unprofitable to harvest them. -commercial depletion-extinction
Who are the whaling nations?
Japan, Iceland, Norway, Greenland, Russia, and more.
IWC
International whaling commission -an international body set up by the terms of the international convention for regulation of whaling which was signed in DC . Most people in this are largely opposed to the practice of whaling.
How does one explain the fluctuation of CO2 in the atmosphere on a yearly basis? -
deforestation-clearing grasslands-burning fossil fuels
What causes the seasons?
as earth makes its annual revolution around the sun on an axis tilted about 23.5, various regions are tipped toward or away from the sun. the resulting variations in the amount of solar energy reaching the earth create the seasons in the north and south hemispheres.
Coriollis effect
spinning of earth. Air isn't connected to earth so it gets pulled. Because of this effect the earth's rotation deflects the movement of the air over different parts of the earth distributing heat and moisture in the troposphere.
Leaching
proves in which various chemicals in upper layers of soil are dissolved and carried to lower layers and, in some cases, to groundwater.
Soil horizion
horizontal zones that make up a particular mature soil. Each horizon has a distinct texture and composition that vary with different types of soil.
O horizon
the top layer, surface litter layer, it consists of freshly fallen undecomposed or partially decomposed leaves, twigs, crop wastes, animal waste, fungi, and other organic materials. Brown or black in color.
A horizon
top soil layer, is a porous mixture of the partially decomposed bodies of dead plants/animals called "humus" and inorganic materials such as clay, silt, and sand. Very fertile soil that produces high crop yields.
B/C horizon
B(subsoil) and C(parent material) contains most of a soil's inorganic matter, mostly broken down rock consisting of varying mixtures of sand, slit, clay, and gravel much of it transported by water from "a horizon". The "c horizon" lies on a base of unweathered parent material normally bedrock.
Carbon cycle
cyclic movement of carbon in different chemical forms from the environment chemical forms from the environment to organisms and then back to the environment
nitrogen cycle
cyclic movement of nitrogen in organisms and back to the environment.
Water cycle
collects, purifies, distributes, and recycles the earth's fixed supply of water. Powered by energy from the sun that evaporates water into the atmosphere that comes back to earth because of gravity.
Sulfur cycle
cyclic movement of sulfur in various Chemical forms from the environment to organisms and back to the environment
Rock cycle
the interaction of physical and chemical processes that changes rocks from one type to.another
Rank the following in commercial energy production(high to low)
Oil, gas, coal, solar, biomass
carrying capacity
the maximum population of a given species that a particular habitat can sustain without degrading the habitat.
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