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19 Cards in this Set
- Front
- Back
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Biodiversity |
Variety of living organisms considered at all levels from genes to species and higher levels of organization- including populations, communities, ecosystems, landscapes, and biomes |
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Values of biodiversity |
Instrumental value Recreational Scientific Aesthetic Intrinsic |
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Reasons for decreasing biodiversity |
Habitat alternations (conversion, simplification, fragmentation) Introduction of invasive species Pollution Over-exploitation Disease Climate change |
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Habitat fragmentation components |
Reduction of total amount of habitat Apportionment of remaining habitat into smaller and more isolated patches |
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Effects of fragmentation |
Fewer species are supported in smaller patches "Edge effects" and environmental changes in fragments Vulnerability of populations within fragments |
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Keystone species |
A species whose role is absolutely vital to the survival of many other species in an ecosystem |
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Endangered Species Act (ESA) of 1973 |
Endangered and threatened species Listing Critical habitat Recovery plan |
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Fission reactors |
As fission occurs, energy is released Major components of fission reactor- core, control rod, coolant, reactor vessel Waste disposal is a problem |
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Nuclear fuel cycle |
Production of nuclear power from the mining and processing of uranium to controlled fission, then reprocessing the spent fuel, the decommissioning of power plants, and the disposal of radioactive waste |
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Radioisotope |
An isotope of a chemical element that spontaneously undergoes radioactive decay |
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Halflife |
Time for half of the amount to decay Range from thousands of years to fractions of a second |
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Hydropower |
Dominant source of renewable energy worldwide Ecological problems |
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Solar energy |
Active vs Passive Active- requires mechanical power Passive- takes advantage of solar energy without mechanical power |
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Hydrogen/ fuel cells |
Fuel generated by the sun Fuel cells- uses and stores hydrogen, only water is given off |
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Tidal power |
Utilizing tidal motions for energy, no cost effective way to utilize |
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Wind power |
Been used for centuries, recently thousands of windmills have been installed |
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Geothermal energy |
Natural heat from the interior of the earth converted to heat buildings and generate electricity |
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Biomass |
Energy recovered form organic material like plant and animal waste- utilized to make liquid fuel or can be burned |
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Ethanol |
Fermentation of sugars to alcohol, not much more energy out than in right now, food vs fuel arguement |
