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44 Cards in this Set
- Front
- Back
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hydrologic cycle |
circulation of water from the oceans to the atmosphere and back to the oceans by the way of evaporation, runoff from streams and rivers, and groundwater flow
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integrated energy management |
Use of range of energy options that vary region to region, including a mix of technology and sources of energy
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integrated pest management |
Control of agricultural pests using several methods together, including biological and chemical agents, Goals: Minimize the use of artificial chemicals and prevent or slow the buildup of resistance by pests to chemical pesticieds
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interference |
one species prevents the entrance of later successional species into an ecosystem.
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intermediate |
a type of tree that forms a layer of growth below dominants |
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keystone species |
a species that has a large effect on its community or ecosystem leads to major changes in the abundances of many or all other species |
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lag time |
time between between a stimulus and the response of a system |
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late successional species |
Species that occur only or primarily in , or dominant in , late stages in succession |
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life expectancy |
estimated average number of years an individual may live
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life history difference |
differences in life histories of species allow some to arrive first and grow quickly. It depends on when a species arrives to the ecosystem. |
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limiting factor |
single requirement for growth available in the least supply in comparison to the need of an organism
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logistic carrying capacity |
the population size at which births equal deaths and there is no net change in the population
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logistic growth curve |
S shaped growth curve that is generated by the logistic equation. Small population grows rapidly, but growth rate slows and levels out
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low-level radioactive waste |
Waste materials that contain sufficiently low concentrations or quantities of radioactivity
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macronutrient |
element required in large amounts by living things. Big Six: H,O N, P, S |
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maximum lifetime |
genetically determined maximum possible age to which an individual of a species can live
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meltdown |
Nuclear accident when nuclear fuel forms a molten mass that breaches the containment of the reactor therefore contaminates the outside
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methane hydrate |
methane gas trapped in frozen water in the sediments of the deep seafloor
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micronutrients |
chemical elements in very small amounts by at least some forms of life
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micropower |
production of electricity using smaller distributed systems rather than relying on a central power plant
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migration |
movement of individuals or groups from one habitat to another
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missing carbon sink |
Substantial amounts of CO2 released into the atmosphere but not reabsorbed and remain unaccounted for
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monoculture |
planting of large areas with a single species in farming |
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mutation |
a chemical change in a DNA molecule, DNA carries a different message than it did before
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natural gas |
naturally occurring gaseous hydrocarbon generally produced in association with crude oil or from gas wells. It's also clean burning and it's used in homes and industry
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natural selection |
A process by which organisms whose biological characteristics better fit them to the environment are represented by more descendants in future generations than those characteristics are less fit for the environment
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negative feedback |
a type of feedback that occurs when the system's response is the opposite direction of the output
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net production |
production that remains after utilization
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nitrogen cycle |
A complex biogeochemical cycle responsible for moving important nitrogen components through the biosphere and other Earth systems.
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nitrogen fixation |
Atmospheric nitrogen is converted to ammonia, nitrate ion, or amino acids. Microorganism perform most of the conversion but a small amount is also converted by lightning
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nonrenewable energy |
Energy sources that are dependent on fuels, or a resource that may be used up much faster than it is replenished by natural processes
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no-till argriculture |
combination of farming practices that includes not plowing the land and using herbicides to keep down weebs
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nuclear energy |
The energy of the atomic nucleus, that when released, may be used to do work.
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nuclear fuel cycle |
Processes involved with producing nuclear power from the mining and the processing of uranium to control fission, reprocessing of spent nuclear fuel, decommissioning of power plants, and disposal of radioactive waste
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nuclear reactors |
Devices that produce controlled nuclear fission, generally for the production of electric energy
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obligate symbionts |
A symbiotic relationship between two organisms in which neither by themselves can exist without the other
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oil shale |
Fine-grained sedimentary rock containing organic material known as kerogen. On distillation, yield significant amount of hydrocarbons including oil
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old-growth forest |
a nontechnical term often used to mean a virgin forest which is undisturbed for a long time
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open system |
a type of system in which exchanges of mass or energy occur with other systems
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organic farming |
Farming that is more "natural" in the sense that it does not involve the use of artificial pesticides and GMCs
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overgrazing |
when the carrying capacity of land for an herbivore, is exceeded
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overshoot and collapse |
occurs when growth in one part of a system over time exceeds carrying capacity, resulting in sudden decline in one or both parts of the system
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passive solar energy systems |
Direct use of solar energy through architectural design to enhance or take advantage of natural changes in solar energy throughout the year without mechanical power
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pasture |
land plowed and planted to provide forage for domestic herbivorous animals
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