Reading...
Play button
Play button
Use LEFT and RIGHT arrow keys to navigate between flashcards;
Use UP and DOWN arrow keys to flip the card;
H to show hint;
A reads text to speech;
462 Cards in this Set
- Front
- Back
|
ch8: ecosystems
|
All of the organisms in a given area plus the physical environment in which, and with which, they interact
|
|
|
habitat
|
the physical environment in which, and with which, individuals of a particular species can be found
|
|
|
community ecology
|
The study of all the populations (plants,animals,and other species) living and interacting in an area.
|
|
|
indicator species
|
The species that are particularly vulnerable to ecosystem perturbations, and that, when we monitor them, can give us advance warning of a problem
|
|
|
food chain
|
A simple, linear path starting with a plant (or other photosynthetic organism) that identifies what each organism in the path eats
|
|
|
food web
|
A linkage of all the food chains together that shows the many connections in the community
|
|
|
consumer
|
An organism that eats other organisms to gain energy and nutrients; includes animals, fungi, and most bacteria
|
|
|
producer
|
A photosynthetic organism that captures solar energy directly and uses it produce its own food (sugar)
|
|
|
trophic levels
|
Feeding levels in a food chain
|
|
|
detritivores
|
Consumers (including worms, insects, crabs, etc.) who eat dead organic material
|
|
|
decomposers
|
Organisms such as bacteria and fungi that break organic matter all the way down to constituent atoms or molecules in a form that plants can take back up
|
|
|
gross primary productivity
|
A measure of the total amount of energy captured via photosynthesis and transferred to organic molecules in an ecosystem
|
|
|
net primary
|
A measure of the amount of energy captured via photosynthesis and stored in photosynthetic organisms
|
|
|
niche
|
The role of a species, including how it gets its nutrients and energy, what habitat requirements it has, and what other species and parts of the ecosystem it interacts with
|
|
|
resilience
|
The ability of an ecosystem to recover when it is damaged or perturbed
|
|
|
species diversity
|
The variety of species in an area includes measures of species richness and evenness
|
|
|
species richness
|
The total number of different species in a community
|
|
|
species evenness
|
The relative abundance of each species in a community
|
|
|
ecotones
|
Regions of distinctly different physical areas that serve as boundaries between different communities
|
|
|
edge effects
|
The different physical makeup of the ecotone that creates different conditions that either attract or repel certain species (for instance, it is drier, warmer, and more open at the edge of a forest and field than it is further in the forest)
|
|
|
edge species
|
species that prefer to live close to the edges of two different habitats (ecotone areas)
|
|
|
core species
|
Species that prefer core areas of a habitat - areas deep within the habitat, away from the edge
|
|
|
keystone species
|
A species that impacts its community more than its mere abundance would predict, often altering ecosystem structure
|
|
|
competition
|
Species interaction in which individuals are vying for limited resources
|
|
|
Resource partitioning
|
When different species use different parts or aspects of a resource, rather than competing directly for the exactly the same resource
|
|
|
symbiosis
|
a close biological or ecological relationship between two species
|
|
|
mutualism
|
A symbiotic relationship between individuals of two species in which both parties benefit
|
|
|
commensalism
|
A symbiotic relationship between individuals of two species in which one benefits from the presence of the other but the other is unaffected
|
|
|
parasitism
|
A symbiotic relationship between individuals of two species in which one benefits and the other is negatively affected ( a form of predation)
|
|
|
restoration ecology
|
the science that deals with the repair of damaged or disturbed ecosystems
|
|
|
Ecological succession
|
Progressive replacement of plant ( and then animal) species in a community over time due to the changing conditions that the plants themselves create (more soil, shade, etc.)
|
|
|
Primary succession
|
Ecological succession that occurs in an area where no ecosystem existed before (for example, on bare rock with no soil)
|
|
|
pioneer species
|
Plant species that move into an area during early stages of succession; these are often r-species and may be annuals, species that live one year, leave behind seeds, and then die
|
|
|
secondary succession
|
Ecological succession that occurs in an ecosystem that has been disturbed, occurs more quickly than primary succession because soil is present
|
|
|
climax species
|
Species that move into an area at later stages if ecological succession
|
|
|
Climax community
|
the end stage of ecological succession in which the conditions created by the climax species are suitable for the plants that created them so they can persist as long as their environment remains unchanged
|
|
|
biodiversity
|
The variety of life on Earth, it includes species, genetic, and ecological diversity
|
|
|
species diversity
|
the variety of species , including how many are present (richness) and their abundance relative to each other (evenness)
|
|
|
genetic diversity
|
The heritable variation among individuals of a single population or within the species as a whole
|
|
|
ecological diversity
|
The variety within an ecosystem's structure, including many communities, habitats, niches, and trophic levels
|
|
|
Ecosystem species
|
Benefits that are important to all life, including humans, provided by functional ecosystems, includes such things as nutrient cycles, air and water purification, and ecosystem goods, such as food and fuel
|
|
|
instrumental value
|
An objects or species worth, based on its usefulness to humans
|
|
|
intrinsic value
|
an objects or species worth, based on its mere existence, it has an inherent right to exist
|
|
|
endemic
|
Describes a species that is native to a particular area and is not naturally found elsewhere
|
|
|
biodiversity hotspot
|
an area that contains a large number of endemic but threatened species
|
|
|
extirpated
|
describes a species that is locally extinct in one or more areas but still has some individual members in other areas
|
|
|
debt-for-nature swap
|
A wealthy nation forgives the debt of a developing nation in return for a pledge to protect natural areas in that developing nation
|
|
|
Species at Risk Act
|
The primary law under which biodiversity is protected in canada
|
|
|
Invasive species
|
A non-native species (a species outside of its range) whose introduction causes or is likely to cause economic or environment harm or harm to human health
|
|
|
extinct/extinction
|
The complete loss of a species from an area; may be local (gone from a specific area) or global (gone throughout the world)
|
|
|
selective pressure
|
A random influence affecting who survives or reproduces
|
|
|
adaption
|
A trait that helps an individual survive or reproduce
|
|
|
Natural selection
|
The process by which organisms best adapted to the environment (the fittest) survive to reproduce leaving more offspring than less well-adapted individuals
|
|
|
genes
|
Stretches of DNA, the cell's hereditary material. that each direct the production of a particular protein and influence an individuals traits
|
|
|
evolution
|
differences in the gene frequencies within a population from one generation to the next
|
|
|
gene frequencies
|
the assortment and abundance of particular variants of genes relative to each other within a population
|
|
|
gene diversity
|
The heritable variation among individuals of a single population or within the species as a whole
|
|
|
coevolution
|
Two species each provide the selective pressure that determines which traits are favoured by natural selection in the other
|
|
|
endemic
|
Describes a species that is native to a particular area and is not naturally found elsewhere
|
|
|
extirpation
|
local extinction in one or more areas, though some individuals exist in other areas
|
|
|
genetic drift
|
The change in gene frequencies of a population over time due to random mating that results in the loss of some gene variants
|
|
|
bottleneck effect
|
when population size is drastically reduced, leading to the loss of some genetic variants, and resulting in a less diverse population
|
|
|
founder effect
|
When a small group with only a subset of the larger populations genetic diversity becomes isolated and it evolves into a different population, missing some of the traits of the original
|
|
|
background of extinction
|
the average rate of extinction that occurred before the appearance of humans of occurs outside of mass extinction events
|
|
|
fossil record
|
The total collection of fossils (remains, impressions, traces of ancient organisms) found on earth
|
|
|
endangered
|
A species that faces a very high risk of extinction in the immediate future
|
|
|
threatened
|
A species that is likely to become endangered in the near future
|
|
|
habitat destruction
|
Altering a natural area in a way that makes it uninhabitable for the species living there
|
|
|
pollution
|
Hazardous or objectionable substances that are released into the environment; also includes noise and light
|
|
|
overharvesting
|
Human activity that removes more of a resource that can be replaced in the same time frame, such as taking too many individuals from a population
|
|
|
anthropogenic climate change
|
Alterations to climate resulting from human impact
|
|
|
habitat fragmentation
|
Destruction of part of an area that separates suitable habitat patches from one another; patches that are too small may be unusable for some species
|
|
|
core species
|
Species that prefer core ares of a habitat - areas deep within the habitat away from the edge
|
|
|
edge species
|
species that prefer to live close to the edges of two different habitat (ecotone areas)
|
|
|
artificial selection
|
When humans decide which individuals breed and which do not in an attempt to produce a population with desired traits
|
|
|
deforestation
|
Net loss of trees in a forested area
|
|
|
boreal forests
|
coniferous forests found at high latitudes and altitudes characterized by low temperatures and low annual precipitation
|
|
|
temperate forests
|
Found in areas with four seasons and a moderate climate, receive 750-1500 mm of precipitation a year, and may include conifers and/or hardwood deciduous trees (lose their leaves in the winter)
|
|
|
tropical forests
|
found in equatorial areas with warm temperatures year-round and high rainfall; some have distinct wet and dry seasons but none has a winter season
|
|
|
canopy
|
Upper layer of a forest formed where the crowns (tops) of the majority of the tallest trees meet
|
|
|
emergent
|
the region where a tree that is taller than the canopy trees rises above the canopy layer
|
|
|
understory
|
The smaller trees, shrubs, and saplings that live in the shade of the forest canopy
|
|
|
forest floor
|
The lowest level of the forest, containing herbaceous plants, fungi, leaf litter and soil
|
|
|
stormwater runoff
|
Water from precipitation that flows over the surface of the land
|
|
|
carbon sinks
|
Places such as forests, ocean sediments, and soil, where accumulated carbon does not readily reenter the carbon cycle
|
|
|
hectares (ha)
|
Metric unit of measure of area; 1 ha = 2.5 acres (ac)
|
|
|
Sustainable forest management
|
a forest management approach that blends ecosystem conservation with economic and social purposes
|
|
|
National Forest Strategy
|
Canada's plan to incorporate economic, social, and ecological principles into forest management
|
|
|
Maximum sustainable yield (MSY)
|
Harvesting as much as is sustainably possible for the greatest economic benefit
|
|
|
ecotourism
|
Low-impact travel to natural areas that contributes to the protection of the environment and respects the local people
|
|
|
rangeland
|
grassland used for grazing of livestock
|
|
|
desertification
|
The process that transforms once-fertile land into desert
|
|
|
overgrazing
|
too many herbivores feeding in an area, eating the plants faster than they can regrow
|
|
|
conservation reserve program
|
Farmers and ranchers are paid to keep damages land out of production to promote recovery
|
|
|
grasslands
|
A biome that is predominately grasses, due to low rainfall, grazing animals, and/or fire
|
|
|
herbivore
|
animal that feeds on plants
|
|
|
soil erosion
|
The removal of soil by wind and water that exceeds the soil's natural replacement
|
|
|
pastoralists
|
individuals who herd and care for livestock as a way of life
|
|
|
rotational grazing
|
moving animals from one pasture to the next in a predetermined sequence to prevent overgrazing
|
|
|
sustainable grazing
|
practices that allow animals to graze in a way that keeps pastures healthy and allows grasses to recover
|
|
|
CH1 environment
|
the biological and physical surroundings in which any given living organism exists
|
|
|
environmental science
|
an interdisciplinary field of research that draws on the natural and social sciences and the humanities in order to understand the natural world and our relationship to it
|
|
|
empirical science
|
A scientific approach that investigates the natural world through systematic observation and experimentation
|
|
|
applied science
|
research whose findings are used to help solve practical problems
|
|
|
environmental literacy
|
a basic understanding of how ecosystem function and of the impact of our choices on the environment
|
|
|
trade-offs
|
the imperfect and sometimes problematic responses that we must at times choose between when addressing complex problems
|
|
|
triple bottom limbs
|
the combination of the environmental, social, and economic impacts of our choices
|
|
|
sustainable development
|
development that meets present needs without compromising the ability of future generations to do the same
|
|
|
carrying capacity
|
the population size that a particular environment can support
|
|
|
ecological footprint
|
the land area needed to provide the resources and assimilate the waste of a person or population
|
|
|
anthropogenic
|
caused by or related to human action
|
|
|
sustainable
|
a method of using resources in such a way that we can continue to use them indefinitely
|
|
|
renewable energy
|
energy that comes from an infinitely available or easily replenished source
|
|
|
biodiversity
|
the variety of species on earth
|
|
|
nonrenewable resources
|
resources whose supply is finite or not replenished in a timely fashion
|
|
|
social traps
|
decisions by individuals or groups that seem good at the time and produce a short-term benefit, but that hurt society in the long run
|
|
|
tragedy of commons
|
the tendency of an individuals to abuse commonly held resources in order to maximize his/her own personal interest
|
|
|
time delay
|
actions that produce a benefit today set into motion events that cause problems later on
|
|
|
sliding reinforcer
|
actions that beneficial at first that change conditions such that their benefit declines over time
|
|
|
worldviews
|
the window through which one views one's world and existence
|
|
|
environmental ethic
|
the personal philosophy that influences how a person interacts with his or her natural environment and thus affects how one responds to environmental problems
|
|
|
anthropocentric worldview
|
a human - centred view that assigns intrinsic value only to humans
|
|
|
instrumental valve
|
the valve or worth of an object organism, organism, or species is based on its usefulness to humans
|
|
|
biocentric window
|
a life-centred approach that views all life as having intrinsic value, regardless of its usefulness to humans
|
|
|
intrinsic value
|
the value or worth of an object, organism, or species is based on its mere existence
|
|
|
ecocentric window
|
a system - centred view that values intact ecosystems, not just the individual views
|
|
|
CH2 observations
|
information detected with the senses - or with equipment that extends our senses
|
|
|
inferences
|
conclusions we draw based on observations
|
|
|
atmosphere
|
blanket of gases that surrounds Earth and other plants
|
|
|
troposphere
|
region of the atmosphere that starts at ground level and extends upward about 11km
|
|
|
stratosphere
|
region of the atmosphere that starts at the top of the troposphere and extends up to about 50 kilometers; contains ozone layer
|
|
|
ozone
|
molecule with 3 oxygen atoms that absorbs UV radiation in the stratosphere
|
|
|
ultraviolet radiation
|
short-wavelength electromagnetic energy emitted by the Sun
|
|
|
science
|
A body of knowledge (facts and explanation) about the natural world, and the process used to get that knowledge
|
|
|
empirical evidence
|
information gathered via observation of physical
|
|
|
correlation
|
two things occur together - but it doesn't necessarily mean that one caused the other
|
|
|
cause - and - effect relationship
|
an association between 2 variables that ids one (the effect) occurring as a result of or in response to the other (cause)
|
|
|
scientific method
|
procedure scientists use to empirically test a hypothesis
|
|
|
hypothesis
|
a possible explanation for what we have observed that is based on some previous knowledge
|
|
|
testable
|
a possible explanation that generates predictions for which empirical evidence can be collected to verify or refute the hypothesis
|
|
|
prediction
|
a statement that identifies what is expected to happen in a given situation
|
|
|
falsifiable
|
an idea or a prediction that can be proved wrong by evidence
|
|
|
observational study
|
research that gathers data in a real-world setting without intentionally manipulating any variable
|
|
|
experimental study
|
research that manipulates a variable in a test group and compares the response to that of a control group that was not exposed to the same variable
|
|
|
control group
|
the group in an experimental study that the test group's results are compared to, ideally, the control group will differ from the test group in only one way
|
|
|
test group
|
the group in an experimental study that is manipulated somehow such that it differs from the control group in only one way
|
|
|
independent variable
|
the variable in an experiment the researcher manipulates or changes to see if it produces an effect
|
|
|
dependent variable
|
the variable in an experiment that is evaluated to see if it changes due to the conditions of the experiment
|
|
|
peer-reviewed
|
researchers submit a report of their work to a group of outside experts who evaluate the studys design and results of the study to determine whether it is of high-enough quality to publish
|
|
|
theory
|
A widely accepted explanation of a natural phenomenon that has been extensively and rigorously tested scientifically
|
|
|
statistics
|
the mathematical evaluation of experimental data to determine how likely it is that any difference observed is due to the variable being tested
|
|
|
Montreal Protocol
|
international treaty that laid out plans to phase out ozone-depleting chemicals like CFC
|
|
|
policy
|
a formalized plan that addresses a desired outcome or goal
|
|
|
environment canada
|
a canadian federal govt department responsible for environmental protection and weather monitoring
|
|
|
precautionary principle
|
a principle that encourages acting in a way that leaves a margin of safety when there is a potential for serious harm but uncertainty about the form or magnitude of that harm
|
|
|
adaptive management
|
plan that allows room for altering strategies as new information comes in or the situation itself changes
|
|
|
CH.3 Toxic substances
|
substances that cause damage to living organisms through immediate or long-term exposure
|
|
|
risk assessment
|
weighing the risks and benefits of a particular action in order to decide how to proceed
|
|
|
Health canada
|
the federal agency responsible for protecting canadians health
|
|
|
chemicals management plan
|
joint health and environment canada program to assess and research chemical substances and improve product safety
|
|
|
precautionary principle
|
a principle that encourages acting in a way that leaves a margin of safety when there is a potential for serious harm but uncertainty about the form or magnitude of that harm
|
|
|
information literacy
|
the ability to evaluate the quality of information
|
|
|
primary sources
|
sources that present new and original data or info, including novel scientific experiments or observations and first-hand accounts of any given event
|
|
|
peer review
|
a process whereby researchers submit a report of their work to outside experts who evaluate the study's design and results to determine if it is of a high-enough quality to publish
|
|
|
secondary sources
|
sources that present and interpret info from primary sources. Secondary sources include newspapers, magazines, books, and most info from the internet
|
|
|
tertiary sources
|
sources that present and interpret info from secondary sources.
|
|
|
persistence
|
the ability of a substance to remain in its original form; often expressed as the length of time it takes a substance to break down in the environment
|
|
|
solubility
|
the ability of a substance to dissolve in a liquid or gas
|
|
|
bioaccumulation
|
buildup of substances in the tissues of an organism over the course of its lifetime
|
|
|
biomagnification
|
the increased levels of substances in the tissue of predatory (higher trophic level) animals that have consumed organisms that contain bioaccumulated toxic substances
|
|
|
epidermiologist
|
a scientist who studies the causes and patterns of disease in human populations
|
|
|
toxicologist
|
scientist who studies the specific properties of any given potentially toxic substances
|
|
|
additive effects
|
when exposure to 2 or more chemicals has an effect equivalent to the sum of their individual effects
|
|
|
antagonistic effect
|
when exposure to 2 or more chemicals has a smaller effect than the sum of their individual effects normally would
|
|
|
synergistic effect
|
when exposure to 2 or more chemicals has a greater effect than the sum of their individual effects normally would
|
|
|
endocrine disruptor
|
a substance that interferes with the endocrine system, typically by mimicking a hormone or preventing a hormone from having an effect
|
|
|
hormone
|
a chemical released by organisms that directs cellular activity and produces changes in how their bodies function
|
|
|
receptor
|
a structure on or inside a cell that binds a particular molecule, such as a hormone, thus allowing the molecule to affect the cell
|
|
|
dose-response curve
|
a graph of the effects of a substance at different concentrations or level of exposure
|
|
|
LD50
|
the dose of a substance that would kill 50% of the test population
|
|
|
logical fallacies
|
arguments which attempt to sway the reader without using evidence
|
|
|
critical thinking skills
|
skills that enable individuals to logically assess info, reflect on that info and reach their own conclusions
|
|
|
growth rate
|
the percent increase of population size over time, affected by births, deaths, and the number of people moving into or out of a regional population
|
|
|
life expectancy
|
the number of years an individual is expected to live
|
|
|
crude death rate
|
the number of deaths per 1000 individuals per year
|
|
|
crude birth rate
|
the number of offspring per 1000 individuals per year
|
|
|
population density
|
the number of people per unit area
|
|
|
overpopulation
|
more people living in an area than its natural and human resources can support
|
|
|
population momentum
|
the tendency of a young population to continue to grow even after birth rates drop to replacement rates - 2 children per couple
|
|
|
infant mortality rate
|
number of infants who die in their first year of life, per 1000 births in that year
|
|
|
TFR
|
number of children an average women has in her lifetime
|
|
|
demographic factors
|
population characteristics such as birth rate of life expectancy that influence how a population changes in size and composition
|
|
|
developed country
|
a country that has a moderate - high standard of living on average and an established market economy
|
|
|
developing country
|
a country that has a lower standard of living than a developed country and has a weak economy, may have high property
|
|
|
demographic transition
|
theoretical model that describes the expected drop in once-high population growth rates as economic conditions improve the quality of life in a population
|
|
|
zero population
|
the absence of population growth; occurs when birth rates equal death rates
|
|
|
replacement fertility rate
|
the rate at which children must be born to replace those dying in the population
|
|
|
age structure
|
the part of a population pyramid that shows what percentage of the population is distributed into various age groups of males and females
|
|
|
sex ratio
|
number of males - females in a population/ males over females
|
|
|
age structure
|
a graphic that displays the size of various are groups, with males shown on one side of the graphic and females on the other
|
|
|
gendercide
|
systematic killing of a specific gender (male or female)
|
|
|
immigration
|
the movement of people into a given population
|
|
|
emigration
|
the movement of people out of a given population
|
|
|
carrying capacity
|
the population size than an area can support for the long term; it depends on resource availability and the rate of per capita resource use by the population
|
|
|
sustainable
|
capable of being continued without degrading environment
|
|
|
economics
|
the social science that deals with the production, distribution, and consumption of goods and services
|
|
|
ecosystem services
|
essential ecological processes that make life on earth possible
|
|
|
ecological footprint
|
the land area needed to provide the resources for, and assimilate the waste of a person on population
|
|
|
natural capital
|
the wealth of resources on earth
|
|
|
natural interest
|
readily produced resources that we could use and still leave enough natural capital behind to replace what we took
|
|
|
biocapacity
|
the ability of land or aquatic ecosystem to produce resources and assimilate our waste
|
|
|
IPAT model
|
an equation (I=P x A x T) that measures human impact, based on population, affluence, and technology
|
|
|
internal costs
|
raw materials, manufacturing costs, labour taxes, utilities and rent, are accounted for when a product
|
|
|
external costs
|
costs that are associated with a product or service, but are not taken into account when a price is assigned to that product or service
|
|
|
triple-bottom line
|
the environmental, social and economic impacts of our choices
|
|
|
true cost
|
the sum of both external and internal costs of a good or service
|
|
|
closed-loop system
|
a production system in which the product is returned to the resource stream when consumers are finished it, or is disposed of in such a way that nature can decompose it
|
|
|
cradle-to-cradle
|
management of a resource that considers the impact of its use at every stage from raw material extraction to final disposal or recycling
|
|
|
discounting future value
|
giving more weight to short-term benefits and costs than to long-term ones
|
|
|
ecological economics
|
branch of economics that considers the long-term impact of our choices on people and the environment
|
|
|
green business
|
doing business in a way that is good for people and the environment
|
|
|
sustainable development
|
economic and social development that meets present needs without preventing future generations from meeting their needs
|
|
|
biomimicry
|
using nature as a model to inspire sustainable solutions to environmental problems
|
|
|
ecolabelling
|
providing info about how a product is mad and where it comes from, allows consumers to make more sustainable choices and support sustainable products and the businesses that produce them
|
|
|
biosphere
|
the sum total of all of earths ecosystems
|
|
|
ecosystem
|
all of the organisms in a given area plus the physical environment in which, and with which, they interact
|
|
|
habitat
|
the physical environment in which individuals of a particular species can be found
|
|
|
species
|
a group of plants or animals that have a high degree of similarity and can generally only interbreed among themselves
|
|
|
niche
|
the role of a species in its communist, including how it gets its energy and nutrients, what habitat requirements it has, and what other species and parts of the ecosystem it interacts with
|
|
|
energy flow
|
the one-way passage of energy through an ecosystem
|
|
|
nutrient cycles
|
movement of life's essential chemicals or nutrients through an ecosystem (they are key examples of biogeochemical cycles)
|
|
|
biomass
|
the sum of all organic material - plant and animal matter - that make up an ecosystem
|
|
|
biome
|
one of many distinctive types of ecosystems determined by climate and identified by the predominant vegetation and organisms that have adapted to live there
|
|
|
limiting factor
|
the critical resource whose supply determines the population size of a given species in a given biome
|
|
|
range of tolerance
|
the range, within upper and lower limits, of a limiting factor that allows a species to survive and reproduce
|
|
|
biotic
|
the living (organic) components of an ecosystem, such as the plants and animals and their waste (dead leaves, feces)
|
|
|
abiotic
|
the nonliving components of an ecosystem, rainfall and mineral composition of the soil
|
|
|
sinks
|
abiotic/biotic components of the environment that serve as storage places for cycling nutrients
|
|
|
producer
|
an organism that converts solar energy to chemical energy via photosynthesis
|
|
|
consumer
|
an organism that obtains energy and nutrients by feeding on another organism
|
|
|
cellular respiration
|
the process in which all organisms break down sugar to release its energy, using oxygen and giving off CO2 as a waster product
|
|
|
carbon cycle
|
movement of carbon through biotic and abiotic parts of an ecosystem. Carbon cycle via photosynthesis and cellular respiration as well as in and out of other reservoirs such as the oceans, soil, rock and atmosphere. Also released by human actions such as fossil fuel burning
|
|
|
nitrogen cycle
|
continuous series of natural processes by which nitrogen passes from air to the soil, to organisms, and then returns back to the air or soil through decomposition or denitrification
|
|
|
nitrogen fixation
|
conversion of atmospheric nitrogen into a biologically usable form, carried out by bacteria found in soil or via lightning
|
|
|
phosphorus cycle
|
series of natural processes by which the nutrient phosphorus moves from rock to soil or water, to living organisms and back to the soil
|
|
|
CH.7 population
|
all the individuals of a species that live in the same geographic area and are able to interact and interbreed
|
|
|
population dynamics
|
the changes over time of population size and composition
|
|
|
minimum viable population
|
the smallest number of individuals that would still allow a population to be able to persist or grow, ensuring long-term survival
|
|
|
environmental impact assessment
|
an evaluation of the positive and negative impacts of a proposed environmental action, including alternative actions that could be pursued
|
|
|
population density
|
number of individuals per unit area
|
|
|
population distribution
|
the location and spacing of within their range
|
|
|
clumped distribution
|
individuals are found in groups or patches within the habitat
|
|
|
random distribution
|
individuals are spread out over the environment irregularly with no discernible pattern
|
|
|
uniform distribution
|
individuals are spaced evenly, perhaps due to territorial behaviour or mechanisms for suppressing the growth of nearby individuals
|
|
|
population growth rate
|
the change in population size over time
|
|
|
birth rate
|
the number of births per 1000 individuals per year
|
|
|
death rate
|
the number of deaths per 1000 individuals per year
|
|
|
biotic potential
|
maximum rate at which the population can grow due to births if each member of the population survives and reproduces
|
|
|
exponential growth
|
population size becomes progressively larger each breeding cycle, produces a J curve when plotted over time
|
|
|
logistic growth
|
growth in which population size increases rapidly at first but then slows down as the population becomes larger, produces an S curve when plotted over time
|
|
|
carrying capacity
|
the population size that a particular environment can support indefinitely without long-term damage to the environment
|
|
|
density dependent
|
factors, such as predation or disease, whose impact on the population increases as population size goes up
|
|
|
density independent
|
factors, such as a storm or an avalanche, whose impact on the population is not related to population size
|
|
|
reproductive strategies
|
how quickly a population can potentially increase, reflecting the biology of the species (maturity rate, lifespan, fecundity)
|
|
|
r-selected species
|
species that have a high biotic potential and that share other characteristics such as short lifespan, early maturity, and high fecundity
|
|
|
k-selected species
|
species that have a low biotic potential and high fecundity characteristics such as long lifespan, late maturity, and low fecundity, generally show logistic population growth
|
|
|
boom-and-bust cycles
|
fluctuations in population size that produces a very large population followed by a drastic change in population, cycle repeats
|
|
|
extirpation
|
local extinction of species
|
|
|
ch.13 acidification
|
lowering of ph solution
|
|
|
positive feedback
|
changes caused by an initial event accentuate that original event (changes brought on by warming lead to even more warming)
|
|
|
negative feedback
|
reduction of an effect by its own influence on the process giving rise to it (changes on by warming lead to cooling)
|
|
|
coral reef
|
large underwater structures formed by colonies of tiny animals (coral) that produce a calcium carbonate exoskeleton that over time build up; found in shallow, warm areas
|
|
|
estuary
|
region where rivers empty into the ocean
|
|
|
ch.14 fisheries
|
industry devoted to commercial fishing or the places where fish are caught, harvested, processed, and sold
|
|
|
collapsed fishery
|
a fishery in which annual catches fall below 10% of their historic high; stocks can no longer support a fishery
|
|
|
bycatch
|
non-target species that become trapped in fishing net and are usually discarded. Methods like trawling, have very high bycatch levels, and discard often exceed the actual target species catch
|
|
|
maximum sustainable yield
|
amount that can be harvested without decreasing the yield in future years
|
|
|
overexploited fisheries
|
more fish are taken than is sustainable in the long run, leading to population declines
|
|
|
depleted fisheries
|
the fish population is well below historic levels and the population's reproductive capacity is low, meaning that recovery will be slow, if at all.
|
|
|
exclusive economic zones
|
zones that extend 200 nautical miles (370km) from the coastline of any given nation, where that nation has exclusive rights over marine resources, including fish
|
|
|
marine protected areas
|
discrete regions of ocean that are legally protected from various forms of human exploitation
|
|
|
fisheries and oceans canada
|
federal agency that protects oceans and manages fisheries
|
|
|
marine reserves
|
restricted areas where all fishing is prohibited and absolutely no human disturbance is allowed
|
|
|
fisheries act
|
the federal law that regulates fishing and the harvesting of marine plant life, and protects marine habitats
|
|
|
total allowable catch
|
max amount (weight or numbers of fish/shellfish) of a particular species that can be harvested per year or fishing season in a given area; meant to prevent overfishing
|
|
|
sustainable fishery
|
a fishery that ensures that fish stocks are maintained at healthy levels, the ecosystem is fully functional, and fishing activity does not threaten biological diversity
|
|
|
aquaculture
|
fish farming, the rearing of aquatic species in tanks, ponds, or ocean net pens
|
|
|
ch.15 wastewater
|
used and contaminated water that is released after used by household, industry or agriculture
|
|
|
freshwater
|
water that has few dissolved ions such as a salt
|
|
|
water cycle
|
the movement of water from gaseous to liquid states through various water compartments such as surface waters, soil and living organisms
|
|
|
surface water
|
any body of water found above ground such as oceans,rivers and lakes
|
|
|
transpiration
|
loss of water vapour from plants
|
|
|
evaporation
|
conversion of water from a liquid state to a gaseous state
|
|
|
condensation
|
conversion of water from a gaseous state to a liquid state
|
|
|
precipitation
|
any form of water falling from the atmosphere
|
|
|
groundwater
|
water found underground in aquifers
|
|
|
water scarcity
|
not having access to enough clean water
|
|
|
aquifer
|
an underground, permeable of soil or rock that is saturated with water
|
|
|
infiltration
|
process of water soaking into the ground
|
|
|
water table
|
the uppermost water level of the saturated zone of an aquifer
|
|
|
desalination
|
the removal of salt and mineral from seawater to make it for consumption
|
|
|
saltwater intrusion
|
inflow of ocean water into a freshwater aquifer that happens when an aquifer has lost some of its freshwater stores
|
|
|
effluent
|
wastewater discharged into the environment
|
|
|
coliform bacteria
|
bacteria often found in the intestinal tract of animals; monitored for fecal contamination of water
|
|
|
potable
|
water clean enough for consumption
|
|
|
wetland
|
an ecosystem that is permanently or seasonally flooded
|
|
|
dam
|
structure that blocks the flow of water in a river/stream
|
|
|
reservoir
|
artificial lake formed when a river is impounded by a dam
|
|
|
ch.16 water pollution
|
addition of anything that might degrade the quality of the water
|
|
|
point source pollution
|
pollution that can be traced back to discrete sources such as wastewater treatment plants or industrial sites
|
|
|
stormwater runoff
|
water from precipitation that flows over the surface of the land
|
|
|
non-point source pollution
|
runoff that enters the water from overload flow and can come from any area in the watershed
|
|
|
eutrophication
|
nutrient enrichment of water bodies which typically leads to algal overgrowth and oxygen depletion, and which can occur naturally or via human activities
|
|
|
cultural eutrophication
|
eutrophication specifically caused by human activities
|
|
|
dissolved oxygen
|
the amount of oxygen in the water
|
|
|
hypoxia
|
situation in which the level of oxygen in the water is inadequate to support life
|
|
|
pollution standards
|
allowable levels of a pollutant that can be released over a certain time period
|
|
|
watershed
|
the land area surrounding a body of water over which water such as rain could flow and potentially enter that body of water
|
|
|
riparian area
|
land area adjacent to a body of water that is affected by the water's presence ( water-tolerant plants grow there) and that affects the water itself (provides shade)
|
|
|
water monitoring
|
collection of water samples from different parts of a body of water (surface and deeper water), particularly for comparison with what would be expected in healthy systems
|
|
|
biological assessment
|
sampling an area to see what lives there as a tool to determine how healthy the area is
|
|
|
benthic macroinvertebrates
|
easy to see arthropods such as insects and crayfish that live on the stream bottom
|
|
|
rain garden
|
runoff area that is planted with water-tolerant plants to show runoff and promote infiltration
|
|
|
ch.17 law of conservation of matter
|
matter can neither be created nor destroyed; it only changers form
|
|
|
waste
|
any material that humans deem to be unwanted
|
|
|
biodegradable
|
capable of being broken down by living organisms
|
|
|
nondegradable
|
incapable of being broken down under normal conditions
|
|
|
municipal solid waste
|
everyday garbage or track (solid waste) produced by individuals or small businesses
|
|
|
open dumps
|
places where trash, hazardous/nonhazardous is simply piled up
|
|
|
hazardous waste
|
waste that is toxic, flammable, corrosive, explosive or radioactive
|
|
|
leachate
|
water that carries dissolved substances (often contaminated) that can percolate through soil
|
|
|
sanitary landfills
|
disposal sites that seal in trash at the top and bottom to prevent its release into the atmosphere; the sutes are lined on the bottom and trash is dumped in and covered with soil daily
|
|
|
incinerators
|
burn trash
|
|
|
e-waste
|
unwanted computers and other electronic such as discarded tbs and cellphones
|
|
|
composting
|
providing good conditions for the decomposition of biodegradable waste, produces soil-like mulch
|
|
|
eco-industrial plants
|
industrial parks in which industries are physically positioned near each other for 'waste-to-feed' exchanges (the waste of one becomes the raw material for another)
|
|
|
refuse
|
the first of waste-reduction; choose NOT to use/buy a product if you can do without it
|
|
|
reduce
|
allow you to use less of a resource, purchasing durable goods that will last or can be repaired
|
|
|
reuse
|
product you can use more than once, for more than one purpose
|
|
|
recycle
|
return items for reprocessing to make new products
|
|
|
organic agriculture
|
farming that does not use synthetic fertilizer, pesticides, or other chemical additives like hormones (for animal rearing)
|
|
|
green revolution
|
plant-breeding program in the mid-1900s that dramatically increased crop yields and led the way for mechanized, large-scale agriculture
|
|
|
eutrophication
|
nutrient enrichment of an aquatic ecosystem that stimulates excess plant growth and disrupts normal energy uptake and matter cycles
|
|
|
food miles
|
the distance a food travels from its site of production to the consumer
|
|
|
monoculture
|
farming method in which one variety of one crop is planted, typically in rows over huge swaths of land, with large inputs of fertilizer, pesticides and water
|
|
|
concentrated animal feeding operation
|
meat or dairy animals being reared in confined spaces, maximizing the number of animals that can be grown in a small area.
|
|
|
feed conversion rates
|
how much edible food is produced per unit of feed input
|
|
|
sustainable agriculture
|
farming methods that do not deplete resources, such as soil and water, faster than they are replaced
|
|
|
green revolution 2.0
|
focuses on the production of genetically modified organisms to increase crop productivity or create new varieties of crops
|
|
|
GMOs
|
organisms that have had their gene info modified to give them desirable characteristics such as pest or drought resistane
|
|
|
transgenic organism
|
an organism that contains genes from another species
|
|
|
ch,19: coal
|
fossil fuel formed when plant material is buried in oxygen-poor conditions and subjected to high heat and pressure over a long time
|
|
|
mountaintop removal
|
surface mining technique that uses explosives to blast away the top of a mountain to expose the coal seam underneath, the waste rock and rubble is deposited in a nearby valley
|
|
|
energy
|
the capacity to do work
|
|
|
fossil fuels
|
nonrenewable resources like coal, oil and natural gas that were formed over millions of years from the remains of dead organisms
|
|
|
electricity
|
the flow of electrons (negatively charged subatomic particles) through a conductive material (such as wire)
|
|
|
energy return on energy investment
|
a measure of the net energy from an energy source, the energy in the source minus the energy required to get it, process it, ship it and reuse it
|
|
|
overburden
|
rock and soil removed to uncover a mineral deposit during surface mining
|
|
|
surface mining
|
removing soil and rock that overlays a mineral deposit close to the surface in order to access that deposit
|
|
|
subsurface mines
|
sites where tunnels are dug underground to access mineral resources
|
|
|
acid mine drainage
|
water flowing past exposed rock in mines, leaching out sulphates. These sulphates react with the water and oxygen to form acids (low-pH solutions)
|
|
|
environmental impact statement
|
a document outlining the positive and negative impacts of any action that has the potential to cause environmental damage; used to help decide whether or not that action will be approved
|
|
|
carbon capture and sequestration
|
removing carbon from fuel combustion emissions or other sources and storing it to prevent its release into the atmosphere
|
|
|
reclamation
|
restoring a damaged natural area to a less damaged state
|
|
|
ch.20 oil
|
Liquid fossil fuel useful as a portable fuel or as a raw material for many industrial products such as plastic and pesticides
|
|
|
oil sands
|
geologic formations containing oil in the form of thick, black oil called crude bitumen (also known as tar sands)
|
|
|
fossil fuel
|
a nonrenewable natural resource formed millions of years ago from dead plant (coal) or microscopic marine-life (oil and natural gas) remains.
|
|
|
natural gas
|
gaseous fossil fuel composed mainly of simpler hydrocarbon mostly Ch4 methane
|
|
|
nonrenewable resource
|
a resource that is formed more slowly than it is used, or is present in a finite supply
|
|
|
crude oil
|
liquid fossil fuel that can be extracted from underground deposits by pumping it is processed into fuels and other products
|
|
|
conventional oil reserves
|
liquid fossil fuel deposits that contain freely flowing oil that can be pumped out
|
|
|
bitumen
|
a thick, sticky oil that may be found in sand or clay deposits
|
|
|
unconventional oil reserves
|
recoverable oil deposits that exist in rock sand, or clay but whose extraction is economically and environmentally costly
|
|
|
peak oil
|
moment in time when oil will reach its highest production levels and then steadily and terminally decline
|
|
|
proven reserves
|
a measure of the amount of a fossil fuel that is economically feasible to extract from a known deposit using current technology
|
|
|
petrochemicals
|
distillation products from the processing of crude oil that can have many different uses, including as fuel or as industrial raw materials
|
|
|
oil shale
|
compressed sedimentary rocks that contain kerogen, an organic compound that is released as on oil-like liquid when the rock is heated
|
|
|
fracking
|
The extraction of oil, or more commonly natural gas, from rock (typically shale) via the propagation of fractures using pressurized fluid
|
|
|
energy security
|
having access to enough reliable and affordable energy sources to meet one's needs
|
|
|
energy independence
|
meeting all of one's energy needs without importing any energy
|
|
|
asthma
|
a chronic inflammatory respiratory disorder characterized by 'attacks' during which the airways narrow, making it hard to breathe can be fatal
|
|
|
air pollution
|
any material added to the atmosphere (naturally or by humans) that harms living organisms, affects the climate, or impacts structures
|
|
|
primary air pollutants
|
air pollutants released directly from both mobile sources and stationary sources
|
|
|
secondary air pollutants
|
air pollutants formed when primary air pollutants react with one another or with chemicals in the air
|
|
|
ground-level zone
|
a secondary pollutant that forms when some of the pollutants released during fossil fuel combustion react with atmospheric oxygen in the presence of sunlight
|
|
|
particular matter
|
particles of droplets small enough to remain aloft in the air for long periods of time
|
|
|
smog
|
hazy air pollution that contains a variety of pollutants including
|
|
|
point source pollution
|
pollution that enters the air from a readily identifiable source such as a smokestack
|
|
|
non-point source pollution
|
pollution that enters the air from dispersed or mobile sources
|
|
|
environmental justice
|
the concept that access to a clean, healthy environment is a basic human right
|
|
|
environmental racism
|
occurs when minority communities face more exposure to pollution than average for the region
|
|
|
acid deposition
|
precipitation that contains sulphuric or nitric acid; dry particles may also fall and become acidified once they mix water
|
|
|
transboundary pollution
|
pollution that is produced in one are but falls in a different area; possibly a different nation
|
|
|
command and control
|
regulations that set an upper allowable limit or pollution release which is enforced with fines and incarceration
|
|
|
clean air act
|
first passed in 1970, act now falls under the broader Canadian Environmental Protection Act, which sets standards for dangerous air pollutants. The more recent and different, Clean Air Act of 2006 additionally addresses smog and greenhouse gases
|
|
|
Canadian environmental protection Act
|
a broad act passed in 1999 to set standards aimed at preventing pollution and protecting the environment and human health
|
|
|
green tax
|
tax assessed on environmentally undesirable activities
|
|
|
tax credit
|
a reduction in the tax one has to pay in exchange for some desirable action
|
|
|
subsidies
|
free gov't money or resources intended to promote desired activities
|
|
|
cap-and-trade
|
regulations that set upper limits for pollution release produces are issued permits that loos them to release a portion of that amount; if release less, they can sell their remaining allotment to others who did not reduce their emissions enough
|
|
|
ch.22 climate change
|
alteration in the long-term patterns and statistical averages of meteorological events
|
|
|
weather
|
the meteorological conditions in a given place on a given day
|
|
|
climate
|
long-term patterns or trends of meteorological conditions
|
|
|
greenhouse gases
|
molecules in the atmosphere that absorbs heat and reradiate it back to earth
|
|
|
greenhouse effect
|
the warming of the planet that results when hear is trapped by earth's atmosphere
|
|
|
radiative forcer
|
anything that alters the balance of incoming solar radiation relative to the amount of heat that escapes out into space
|
|
|
albedo
|
ability of a surface to reflect away solar radiation
|
|
|
positive feedback loop
|
changes caused by an initial event that then accentuate that original event
|
|
|
negative feedback loop
|
changes caused by an initial event that trigger events that reverse the response
|
|
|
milankovitch cycle
|
predictable variations in Earths position in space relative to the sun that affect climate
|
|
|
anthropogenic
|
caused by or related to human action
|
|
|
intergovernmental Panel or Climate Change
|
an international group of scientists who evaluate scientific studies related to any aspect of climate change to give thorough and objective assessment of the data
|
|
|
mitigation
|
preventative effects intended to minimize the extent or impact of a problem such as climate change
|
|
|
carbon taxes
|
governmental fees imposed on activities that release CO2 into the atmosphere usually on fossil fuel use
|
|
|
precautionary people
|
acting in a way that leaves a safety margin when the data is uncertain or severe consequences are possible
|
|
|
adaptation
|
efforts intended to help deal with a problem that exists, such as climate change
|
|
|
ch.23: nuclear energy
|
energy released when an atom is split or combines with another to form a new atom; can be tapped to generate electricity
|
|
|
nuclear fission
|
nuclear reaction that occurs when a neutron strikes the nucleus of an atom and breaks it into 2 or more pants
|
|
|
isotopes
|
atoms that have different number of neutrons in their nucleus but the same number of protons
|
|
|
radioactive
|
atoms that spontaneously emit subatomic particles or energy
|
|
|
radioactive half-life
|
the time it takes for half of the radioactive isotopes in a sample to decay to a new form
|
|
|
fuel rods
|
hollow metal cylinders filled with uranium fuel pellets for use in fission reactors
|
|
|
control rods
|
rods that absorb neutrons and slow the fission chain reaction
|
|
|
low-level radioactive waste
|
material that has a low level or radiation for its volume
|
|
|
high-level radioactive waste
|
spent fuel rods or nuclear weapons production waster that is still highly radioactive
|
|
|
ch.24: renewable energy
|
energy from sources that are replenished over short time scales or that are perpetually available
|
|
|
sustainable energy
|
energy from sources that are renewable and have a low environmental impact
|
|
|
wind energy
|
energy contained in the motion of air across earth's surface
|
|
|
solar energy
|
energy harnessed from the sun in the form of heat or light
|
|
|
photovoltaic cells
|
convert solar energy directly into electricity
|
|
|
active solar techniques
|
use of mechanical equipment to capture, convert and sometimes concentrate solar energy into a more usable form
|
|
|
solar thermal system
|
an active technology that captures solar energy for heating
|
|
|
passive solar techniques
|
the capture of solar energy (heat or light) without any electronic or mechanical assistance
|
|
|
geothermal energy
|
the heat stored underground, contained in either rocks or fluids
|
|
|
geothermal heat pump
|
a system that actively moves heat from the underground into a house warm it or removes heat from a house to cool it
|
|
|
payback time
|
amount of time it would take to save enough money in operation costs to pay for the equipment
|
|
|
geothermal power plans
|
power plants that use the heat of hydrothermal reservoirs to produce steam and turn turbines to generate electricity.
|
|
|
hydropower
|
energy produced from moving water
|
|
|
conservation
|
efforts that reduce waste and increase efficient use of resources
|
|
|
biofuels ch.25
|
solids, liquids or gases that produce energy from biological material
|
|
|
biomass
|
material from living or recently living organisms or their byproducts
|
|
|
feedstock
|
biomass sources used to make biofuels
|
|
|
perennial
|
plants that live for more than a year, growing and producing seed year after year
|
|
|
annual
|
plants that live for a year, produce seed and then die
|
|
|
fuel crops
|
crops specifically grown to be used to produce biofuels
|
|
|
bioethanol
|
an alcohol fuel made from crops like corn and sugarcane in a process or fermentation and distillation
|
|
|
biodiesel
|
a liquid fuel made from vegetable oil, animal falls, or waste oil that can be used directly in a diesel internal combustion engine
|
|
|
cellulosic ethanol
|
bioethanol made by breaking down cellulose in plants; a difficult process that has yet to be scaled up to meet large production goals
|
|
|
carbon sequestration
|
the storage of carbon in a form that does not readily release the carbon to the atmosphere or water
|
|
|
carbon debt
|
the cumulative reduction of the carbon dioxide absorption or storage capacity of ecosystems, eg. by converting land from a natural ecosystem to argicultural uses
|
|
|
urban areas
|
densely populated regions that include cities and the suburbs that surround them
|
|
|
urbanization
|
the migration of people to large cities; sometimes also defined as the growth of urban areas
|
|
|
urban heat island effect
|
the phenomenon in which urban areas are warmer than the surrounding courtyside due to pavement, dark surfaces, closed-in spaces, and high energy use
|
|
|
environmental justice
|
access to clean, health environment is a basic human right
|
|
|
urban flight
|
the process of people leaving an inner-city area to live in surrounding areas
|
|
|
suburban sprawl
|
low-population density development that are built outside of a city
|
|
|
exurbs
|
towns beyond the immediate suburbs whose residents commute into the city for work
|
|
|
new urbanism
|
a movement that promotes the creation of compact, mixed-use communities with all of the amenities for day-day living close by and accessible
|
|
|
infill development
|
empty lots within a city
|
|
|
smart growth
|
strategies that help create walkable communities with lower ecological footprints
|
|
|
green building
|
construction and operational designs that promote resource and energy efficiency, and provide a better environment for occupants
|
|
|
LEED
|
a 3rd party certification program administered by the non-profit green building council that awards a rating to buildings that include environmentally sound design features
|
