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ap environmental science vocabulary Flashcards

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13851263362the first law of thermodynamicssttes that energy is neither created nor destroyed0
13851264908the second law of thermodynamicsstates that with each successive energy transfer, less energy is avaliable to do work because some of it is diffused as heat1
13851270384photosynthesisis the process by which green plants capture the light energy from the sun and convert it into useful, high quiality chemicl energy in the form of organic molecules.2
13851286054photosynthesis formulasolar energy + 6CO2 + 6H2O --> C6H12O6 + 6O23
13851291626cellular respirationreverses photosynthesis by breaking down glucose for energy4
13851292787cellular respiration formulaC6 H12 06 + 6O2 ---> 6CO2 + 6H2O + ATP5
13851294503speciesall organisms that are genetically similar enough to reproduce and create live, fertile offspring.6
13851297255populationconsists of all members of species that live in the same area at the same time.7
13851299274biological communityall the populations living and interacting in an area8
13851300620ecosystema community and its physical environment9
13851303416biomassthe total mass of organisms in a given area or volume.10
13851304389productivitythe amount of biomass (biological material) produced in a given area during a given period of time11
13851308852primary productivityproductivity of plants through photosynthesis12
13851309611secondary productivityrate of accumulation of herbivore and carnivore biomass13
13851310431foodchainlinear chart showing flow of energy in an ecosystem14
13851311701trophic levelan organisms feeding position in an ecosystem15
13851316857primary producersphotosynthesizing organisms (plants), which support the rest of the foodchain16
13851318828consumersget their nutrients and energy by eating other things17
13851321273scavangersconsume animals that are already dead18
13851323078detritvoresconsume detritus (litter, debris, dung)19
13851325855decomposers (fungi and bacteria)complete the final breakdown of organic mateer and return nutrients to the soil to fertilize the producers20
13851325856food webmany interconnected foodchains21
13851331203ten percent rule10% of the energy available at one trophic level is transfered to the next trophic level .22
13851367632law of conservation of mattermatter is neither created or destroyed but is tranfromed and recycled over and over again23
13851372794sinktakes in and absorbs element24
13851373325sourcereleases element25
13851376284steps of water cycle - cycle driven by solar energyevaporation transpiration -> water vapor released from plants condensation percipitation runoff/percolates -> water seeps through soil to join ground water or aquifiers26
13851393397carbon cycle steps1. carbon enters the atmosphere as carbon dioxide from respiration and combustion. 2. absorbed by producers to make carbohydrates in photosynthesis. 3. animals feed on the plant passing the carbon compounds along the food chain. Most of the carbon they consume is exhaled as carbon dioxide formed during respiration. The animals and plants eventually die. 4. the dead organisms are eaten by decomposers and the carbon in their bodies is returned to the atmosphere as carbon dioxide. 5. in some conditions decomposition is blocked. The plant and animal material may then be available as fossil fuel in the future for combustion.27
13855004708carbon sinksplants, the ocean, calcium carbonate and coral reefs28
13855009863nitrogen cycle stepsnitrogen fixation (converting it to ammonia by nitrogen -fixing bacteria) ammonification (assimilated by plants) nitrification denitrification (bacteria converts ammonia back into N2 or decomposers breaking down waste)29
13855073493phosphorus cycle stepsphosphorus compounds leach from the rock and into the water. The water seeps/percoolates through the soil this inorganic phosphorus assimilate into organic phosphorus in the soil is taken up by plants, and passed on to consumers Decompostion returns back into the cycle or it goes to sediments deep in the ocean, where the phosphorus can come back via uplifting of the ocean floor (this takes a long time) Humans have affected this cycle by the use of fertilizers that run off into lakes and ocean causing aglal bloom and eutrophication.30
13855172798sulfer cyclereleased by emmisions or volanic eruptions or by biogenic deposits od phytoplankton. the sulfer is cycled through and is taken in by plants which is then transfered to consumers. consumed sulfer re-eneters the cylce when decomposers break down the dead organisms (sulfer is a component of protein) Acid rain can also bring sulfer into the cycle - human activity31
13855223494divergent evolutionoccurs when two specis branch off from a shared ancestral species EX: humans and apes32
13855228890convergent evolutionoccurs when unrelated species devolop similar traits because they were devoloped under similar environmental conditions EX: shark and dolphin33
13855254498Things that can accelerate extinction1. Habitat Destruction -> deforestation. 2. Hunting and Fishing -> over-hunt 3. Commerical Products -> smuggling of rare species or selling parts of their body EX: ivory tusks of the african elephant 4. Genetic Assimilation -> species disapear because genes are diluted due to crossbreeding with closely related species34
13855303306The Endangered Species ActU.S law that identifies endangered, threatned, and vulnerable species and regulating commerical and recreational activities involving them.35
13855316617CITIESInternational agreement regulating trade in living speicemens and products derievd ffrom listed endangered species. DIFFICULT TO ENFORCE DUE TO SMUGGLING.36
13855338428Predatorany organism that feeds directly upon another lving organism important because the help maintain stable populations and reduce competition among their prey.37
13855347285coevolutionprocess in which species exert selective pressures on each other is called coevolution... common between predator and prey38
13855365640intraspecific competitioncompetition between members of the same species39
13855365641interspecific competitioncompetition between members of different species40
13855379168territorialitywhen an animal defends a well-defined space. this gurantees its owner access to shelter and food41
13855387715symbiosisrelationship in which two species live closely together42
13855393713mutualismboth members benefit EX: coral and algae, oxpecker and the zebra43
13855408434commensalismone member benifits, and the other remains unharmed. EX: epiphytes (grow on top of tress) and tress44
13855423498parasitismOne member benefits (parasite) the other is harmed (host) EX: tapeworms live and feedoff of humans, making them sick.45
13855443890defence mechanismstoxic chemicals, body armor, spikes and thorns for plants, camouflage.46
13855451345batesian mimicrya type of mimicry in which a harmless species looks like a species that is poisonous or otherwise harmful to predators.47
13855457582mullerian mimicrytwo species, both of which are poisonous, evole to look alike.48
13855477189habitat (address)is the place or set of environmental conditions in which an organism lives.49
13855488311ecological niche (job)role a species plays in a biological community - how it obtains food - interactions with biotic and abiotic factors - what services it provides to the community50
13855516762fundamental nicepotential niches (jobs) it can biological occupy51
13855522207relized nichesrole it ACTUALLY plays52
13855529664genralists-very adaptable - less danger of exitinction - tolerate a wide range of environmental conditions - can eat a variety of food - EX: rodents and insects53
13855542776specialists- less adaptable - live in very specific habitats - tollerate narrow range of environmental conditions - picky regarding food EX: panda and orangutan54
13855570592law of competitive exclusionno two species in the same ecosystm can occupy the same ecological niche.55
13855606786limiting factoris a factor that controls the growth of a population56
13855611765tolerance factorfactors min and max levels57
13855631747keystone speciesa species whose impact on its community or ecosysyem is much more influential. species with the most important niche. - decomposers who aid in cycling of nutrients, pollinators58
13855666742abundancethe total nuber of organisms in the community59
13855670054diversitythe number of different species60
13855677617DIVERSITY TENDS TO DECREASE __________________AS WE MOVE FROM THE EQUATOR TOWARDS THE POLES. SO TROPICAL RAINFORESTS ARE THE MOST DIVERSE AND PRODUCTIVE ECOSYSTEMS.61
13855688357complexitynumber of species at each trophic level62
13855698867resiliencecommunity's ability to recover from disturbance63
13855704996stabilitya community's constancy64
13855718186ecotonethe boundary between two different communities or ecosystems65
13855725542closed ecosystemboundary is sharp between the communities or ecosystems66
13855729535open ecosystemswhen one ecosystem gradually blends into another67
13855861717primary successionoccurs when a community begins to devolop on a site previosuly unoccupied by living organism. EX: New Island68
13855930137seconday succesionoccurs is a destroyed ecosysytem where life exsisted previously EX: area around a volcano after it erupted69
13855960738seral communitiesreplace the pioneer species and continue to replace each other.70
13855963595climax communityreached when the community reaches a stable state thar resists further change71
13855998589Fire helps...helps return nutrients to the soil, clear dead plant matter and incase of conferous forests -> melt sap in the cones, thereby releasing their seeds72
13856030259biomesecosystems characterized by climate, soil conditions and biological communities.73
13856041792desertcharacterized by low moisture levels, and infrequent percipitation along with poor quality sandy soil.74
13856065150grasslandsmoderate temp and percipation, with enough rain to supports abundant grass yet not enough to support tress. Soil is the richest and BEST for farming THREAT: conversion to agricultural land75
13856087785tundraa treeless biome at high altitudes. has permenently frozen topsoil called permafrost. Damage to tundra heals very slowkly76
13856138243coniforous forestdominated by cone-bearing trees that occur in a wide rande of temperate regions.77
13856157668boreal forestnorthern coniferous forest with low moisture sandy soil and cool temps78
13856172218taigaboreal forests that border tundra. have harsh, cold temps and a layer of peat (partially decomposed organic matter)79
13856182171deciduous foresttrees that shed in winter, lots of rainfall. canopy warm and frozen seasons temps vary THREAT: Deforestation80
13856210726Chaparralvegetation consisting chiefly of tangled shrubs and thorny bushes. mild, rainy winters and long, hot, dry summers.81
13856234347tropical moist forests- ample rainfall and uniform temps. - hold more than half of all terestrial plants and insects on earth - soil is acidic and nutrient poor THREAT: deforestation82
13856252670tropical rainforestsnear the equator where rains a lot and temps are warm year round83
13856266877thermostratificationdivision of freshwater lakes based on temperature84
13856273425epilimnion layeris the layer with warmeer water on the surface that ABSORBS sunlgiht85
13856280676thermocline layerrapid decrease in temp over a short distance86
13856291063hypolimnion layercooler area closer to the bottom87
13856295279benthoslake bottom where there is little oxygen by rich organic matter from the detritus that sinks to the bottom88
13856309899seasonal turnoveroccurs during fall and spring where water mixes freely to replenish nutrienrs and oxygen. NO THERMOCLINE during this.89
13856329055littoral zonearea of a lake or pond closest to the shore90
13856332477limnetic zonedeeper region of lake, further from the shore91
13856345086riparian ecosystemecosystem around a river92
13856355120marine biomeaquatic biome in the salt water of the ocean93
13856355121photic zone (ocean)ocean layer closer to the top of water to get enough sunlight for photosynthesis by algae and phytoplankton94
13856369419aphotic zone (ocean)where little or no light reaches95
13856375564abyssal zone (ocean)deepest part of ocean, no light96
13856385839intertidal zone of oceanarea closest to shore where tides come in97
13856388838pelagic zone of oceanopen water98
13856405724Wetlands- supports a high degree of biodiversity - replenish aquafiers - act as sponges, and prevent flooding - naturally filter sediments and polllutants99
13856431758estuarythe fresh water of a river meets the salt water of the ocean.100
13856445339restoration ecologyrepairing damage or destruction done to an ecosystem by human activity101
13856452973rehabilitationrebuilding the certain elements of an ecosystem wituhout completly restoring to its orginal conditon. AIM: to make an ecosystem usable for human again102
13856478705remediationchemical contaminant is cleaned from polluted area103
13856481810bioremediationusing living organisms to clean contaminated areas104
13856492866reclamationthe process of returning land to its original condition after mining is completed105
13856498293Surface Mining Control and Reclamation ActRequires coal strip mines to reclaim the land after mining is completed.106
13856515774exponential growth- constant yearly growth (J CURVE) - no limitations - endless resources, ideal environmental conditions107
13856530740biotic potentialmax reproductive rate for a species in ideal circumstances108
13856543849denisty dependent factorspredation, competition and sresss have a greater impact with larger populations109
13856552420density independent factorsclimate limiting factor that affects all populations in similar ways110
13856561677carrying capacity (k)max # of species an ecosystem can hold111
13856568000logistic growth- S CURVE - type of growth where reality is present - accounts environmental resistance and carrying capacity112
13856599279irruptive growthcycle of population explosions followed by die backs.113
13856603802r-selected species- typically generalists - have lots of offspring - offer little parental care - have high infant mortality rates - population fluctates a lot114
13856668660K-selected species- specialists - follow a logistic growth pattern - tend to be larger and live longer - produce fewer offspring - populations stay farily stable and around carrying capacity115
13856692236survivorship curvegraphs that represent the number of individuals still alive at each age116
13856704945doubling timetime it take for a population to double 70 /% annual growth117
13856728320fecunditythe physical ability to reproduce118
13856732701life spanmax # of year a species can survive119
13856737735life expectanctyavg age that an induvisual is expected to life120
13856751865POPULATIOR GROWTH RATE (%)(B+I) - (D+E)121
13856771340NeomalthusiansWe are going to run out of other resources, not just food - advocate birth control122
13856788070Neomarkistsbeleive populations will only stabalize through social justice - advocate fair wealth distribution123
13856799831brandt linedivides the more developed north from the less developed south - devoloped uses nearly 80% of earth's resources - only 20% are devoloped124
13856819835food securityaccess to a constant food source125
13856823459malnourishmentAn imbalance in vitamins and nutrients.126
13856826332undernourishmentnot enough calories127
13856848096pathogensdisease causing agents128
13856858954emergent diseasesthose not previously known or that have been absent for at least 20 years129
13856868947hazardousdangerous chemical130
13856874503toxinskills cells and alter growth131
13856878071allergenssubstances that activate the immune system132
13856890813sick building syndromeoccurs in relatively older buildings where mold (mostly) builds up in walls and floors causing sickness133
13856894229LD50measures toxicity of a chemical by its dose lethal to 50% of a test polulation. lower means more toxic134
13856913079nuerotoxinslike mercury and lead kill nuerons in nervous system135
13856918986mutgenscause mutations by latering DNA136
13856922081carcinogenscause cancer137
13856927041Delaney Clauseprohibits adding carcinogens to food138
13856929988teratogenstoxins that cause abnormal embryonic growth and result in birth defects EX: alcohal139
13856954139antagonistic toxinsinterfere with effects of other chemicals and work against each other140
13856957067additive toxinscumulative effect; increasing level of toxicity when many chemicals are mixed141
13856963859synergistic toxinstoxins put together make each other more toxic than they would be alone142
13856979476bioaccumulationorganism absorbs and stores toxin in tissues143
13856988161biomagnificationaccumulation of pollutants at successive levels of the food chain144
13856996819DDTinsecticide145
13857085517supplyhow much of a product is avalible146
13857088554demandamount of the product consumbers will buy147
13857141856cost-benefit analysisis the process of accounting and comparing the costs and benefits of a project before it is enacted - who or what is being affected - potential outcomes148
13857156506green businessbusinesses that are environmentally friendly and aim at creating a more sustainable future.149
13857171494National Environmental Policy ActEnvironmental Impact Statements must be done before any project affecting federal lands can be started150
13857191957wicked problemsproblems with no simple solution EX: How to save rainforests, how to deal with global warming151
13857204873precautionary principleputting laws in place before the disaster or something bad actaully happens152
13857248320soilrenewable resource mad up of a mixture of weathered rock, partially decomposed organic matter and living organisms.153
13857275628humusdecomposed matter that gives soil its structure by sticking the particles together154
13857284954heavy soillarge amount of clay155
13857288753light soilmore sand and silt156
13857298085land degradationsoil becomes defecient in nutrients157
13857306855factors that contribute to land degradation- water and wind erosion - soil acidifiction - too much minerals and salt - too much water (waterlogging) in the soil158
13857339716erosionthe process of eroding or being eroded by wind, water, or other natural agents. - loss of topsoil - siltation of lakes and rivers159
13857356376rill erosionrunning water cuts small channels into the soil160
13857361121gully erosionwhen rills enlarge to form bigger channels161
13857471324Green Revolutiona dramatic increase in agricultural production brought by the devolopment of high-yeild varities of grain162
13857496662debt-for-nature swapwhen agencies make a deal with third world countries that they will cancel their debt if the country will set aside a certain amount of their natural resources163
13857516528selective cuttingcutting down only some trees in a forest and leaving a mix of tree sizes and species behind164
13857525929Artic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR)a national wildlife refuge in northeastern Alaska, United States. - reserve the oil and not open it for the sake of the fragile biome165

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