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21 Cards in this Set
- Front
- Back
ecology
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branch of science that focuses on natural living systems; study of matter and energy of whole natural systems
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ecosystems
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all dif. kinds of living things in an area ("the community") plus the physical surroundings of these living things; can be of many scales (sizes)
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Community members
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producers
consumers decomposers |
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producers
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obtain atoms and energy from ecosystems and make organic molecules
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consumers
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sustained by consuming producers
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decomposers
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bacteria, fungi, and others who renew the raw materials of life
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community characteristics
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1. biotic and abiotic parts
2. energy flows through ecosystems 3. matter is recylced by ecosystems 4. ecologic niches 5. stable ecosystems balance among population 6. ecosystems change over time |
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food chain (food web)
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order of consumption of one organism by another
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trophic levels
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grouping of community members
plants - herbivores - carnivores - decomposers |
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carbon cycling
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passage of carbon from surroundings to members of the community
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niche
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mode of survival, a particular way of obtaining matter and energy with an ecosystem
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homoestasis
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a balance reflecting the fact that matter and energy are limited resouces that must be shared by all individuals
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law of unintended consequences
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it is virtually impossible to change one aspect or variability of a complex system, usually in unpredictable or unexpected ways
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threats to global ecosystems and environments
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1. solid waste disposal
2. ozone layer degradation 3. acid rain 4. greenhouse effect |
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problems w/ solid waste disposal
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- burial inhibits natural C and N recycling
- trash is cut off from air and water - bacteria do not decompose normally |
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ozone degredation
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ozone hole: damaged area of the ozone layer due to reaction with Cl (Freon)
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hydrocarbons
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long chain molecules that are not burned completely in modern energy-consuming devices
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air pollution
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sunlight striking N-compounds and hydrocarbons produces 0(3)(the 3 is a subscript), a caustic gas when breathed
ex. smog |
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greenhouse effect
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carbon dioxide is released by burning fossil feuls and collects in atmosphere where it collects heat and results in global heating
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Mass Extinction Event
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The Earth is presently experiencing a mass extinction of life equal to or greater than the greatest mass extinction on the whole history of life on the planet
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Causes of modern mass extinction
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1. Destruction of tropical ecosystems
2. Climate change (global warming) 3. Widespread volcanic activity (pollutes atmosphere w/ dust and gas) 4. overpopulation |