Save
Busy. Please wait.
Log in with Clever
or
show password
Forgot Password?
Don't have an account?  Sign up 
Sign up using Clever
or
Username is available taken
show password


Make sure to remember your password. If you forget it there is no way for StudyStack to send you a reset link. You would need to create a new account. Your email address is only used to allow you to reset your password. See our Privacy Policy and Terms of Service.

Already a StudyStack user? Log In

Reset Password
Enter the associated with your account, and we'll email you a link to reset your password.
focusNode
Didn't know it?
click below
 
Knew it?
click below
Don't Know
Remaining cards (0)
Know
0:00
edit
Embed Code - If you would like this activity on your web page, copy the script below and paste it into your web page.

  Normal Size     Small Size show me how

HIOB&Nutrient Cycles

Human Impact of the Biosphere

QuestionAnswer
Ocean Acidification: DEFINITION the gradual decrease in the pH of the ocean caused by the absorption of excess (too much) CO2
Ocean Acidification: POLLUTANT (cause) --Pollutant is CARBON DIOXIDE: CO2 When CO2 mixes with rain water, it forms carbonic acid The oceans are like a sponge and absorb the CO2 --Source: burning fossil fuels
Ocean Acidification: How it harms the biodiversity (life on Earth)? --If the water is too acidic, it harms/kills the base of the ocean food web (algae and phytoplankton) & the entire ocean food web is harmed -- Phytoplankton make 50% of the oxygen on EARTH! -- destroys the shells of mollusks and crustaceans
Ocean Acidification: Solutions to the Problem --FIND Alternative energy sources -----Geothermal (taking heat from the Earth’s core) -----Wind -----Hydroelectric (water power) -----Solar (Sun)
Global Warming: DEFINITION A gradual increase in the Earth’s temperature because of TOO MUCH Greenhouse gasses EX: Methane CH4 Carbon Dioxide CO2 **These gasses are NOT bad--we actually need them because they help keep the Earth’s temperature relatively stable
Global Warming: POLLUTANTS (cause) --EXCESS Carbon Dioxide CO2 ----Comes from burning fossil fuels (oil, gas) --EXCESS Methane CH4 ----Comes from LIVESTOCK (animal farts!) --BAD bc when there is TOO MUCH of these greenhouse gasses, more heat is trapped & temps go up
Global Warming: How it harms the biodiversity (life on Earth)? --More extreme weather events. --Sea life (corals) cannot tolerate temp change --Melting of polar ice caps - releasing trapped methane
Global Warming: Solutions to the Problem ----FIND Alternative energy sources -----Geothermal (taking heat from the Earth’s core) -----Wind -----Hydroelectric (water power) -----Solar (Sun) -- Eat less meat.-- (lower the demand for livestock)
Acid Precipitation (rain/snow) DEFINITION Any form of precipitation that has a pH of 4.5-5
Acid Precipitation (rain/snow) POLLUTANT (cause) Burning of Fossil Fuels --Sulfur dioxides + water produces sulfuric acid --Nitrogen oxides + water produces nitric acid ****NOTE: CO2 does NOT cause acid precipitation***
Acid Precipitation (rain/snow) How it harms the biodiversity (life on Earth)? --Lowers the pH of bodies of water & Causes the hardening of the fish egg shells so they cannot hatch. -Damages gills of fish and makes it hard for them to absorb oxygen --Puts aluminum into the soil & makes it harder for the plants to absorb water
Acid Precipitation (rain/snow) Solutions to the Problem --Reducing overall reliance on fossil fuels ----Find alternative energy sources -----Geothermal -----Wind -----Hydroelectric (water power) -----Solar (sun) -----Use electric cars
Keystone Species DEFINITON Species in an ecosystem that plays a VITAL (VERY IMPORTANT) role in the stability of that ecosystem They are NEEDED to support the ecosystem
Keystone Species How it harms the biodiversity (life on Earth)? --When you remove a keystone species, it causes harm to the entire ecosystem! --All of the other levels of a food web/pyramid are harmed
Keystone Species Solutions to the Problem Regulation (rules/control of) on hunting and keeping track of populations to protect these keystone species
Invasive Species DEFINITION an organism that becomes established (settled) in a non-native environment (it doesn’t belong where it is) and OUT-COMPETES with the native species for resources because it has no natural checks and balances-- (predators)
Invasive Species How it harms the biodiversity (life on Earth)? --It harms native species of an area because it doesn’t have any natural checks & balances (predators) --It can compete with local species for food/ resources and the native species can die off
Invasive Species Solutions to the Problem --Biological Controls: (see next card for definition) --Regulating/controlling what animals come into a country
Biological Control The use of living organisms to kill pest (insect) populations, making them less damaging than they would otherwise be. ---- Natural enemies of insects play an important role in limiting the densities of potential pests.
Deforestation DEFINITION the purposeful cutting down of trees and removal of forests
Deforestation How it harms the biodiversity (life on Earth)? Causes habitat destruction-many species lose their homes and have no place to go & may become extinct.
Deforestation Solutions to the Problem --Regulations/laws against cutting down trees --Reforestation--planting more trees to replace those that were cut down
Species Exploitation & Poaching: DEFINITIONS Species Exploitation: populations that are harvested (hunted/taken) at a fast rate that does not allow their species to reproduce enough naturally. Poaching: The illegal shooting, trapping, or taking of animals from public or private property
Species Exploitation & Poaching: How it harms the biodiversity (life on Earth)? Can cause species to go extinct very quickly
Species Exploitation & Poaching: Solutions to the Problem --Regulations on hunting
Biomagnification DEFINITION The increase in amount of a toxin (bad chemical) as it travels through a food web.
Biomagnification How it harms the biodiversity (life on Earth)? --Many of the toxins are fat soluble (they stay in the fat of an animal) so this allows them to pass to the animals who eat them. --They last a LONG time bc they have a long half-life (the time it takes for HALF of the toxin to break down)
Biomagnification How it harms the biodiversity (life on Earth)? --Greatest impact/negative effect is felt by the top order consumers where the amount of toxin was the highest. --Ex: The chemicals make the Eagle eggs very thin and when the mother sits on her eggs, they break and DIE 🙁
Biomagnification Solutions to the Problem --Regulating (controlling) the environment’s exposure to these toxins --Stopping the use of certain chemicals
Biomagnification Example: DDT EX: DDT (a chemical pesticide sprayed on crops to kill bugs/pests in 1960s that was very dangerous.) The DDT is stored in the fat of an animal and this makes them move on to the animals who eat them and stay in the animals LONGER!
Biomagnification Example: DDT Once they realized the dangerous effects of DDT, they stopped using it, but it took a long time for it to exit the food web/ecosystem---because of the LONG HALF LIFE of DDT!
The Nitrogen Cycle: Nitrogen is the most abundant part of our atmosphere- 78% is N2 Nitrogen is NEEDED to make protein, but it's not USABLE in this form!!! can't be used!
The Nitrogen Cycle: Nitrogen Fixing Bacteria Nitrogen Fixing Bacteria (NFB) "fix" the nitrogen so it is usable and available for the ecosystem. The NFBs change N2 into NO3 (nitrates) so it can be used to make protein
The Nitrogen Cycle: Nitrogen Fixing Bacteria (NFB) The NFB are found in the soil and roots of some legumes (beans, peas, sprouts)
The Nitrogen Cycle: Denitrifying Bacteria work to change the NO3 BACK into N2 and put it back into the atmosphere. They finish the cycle
The Water Cycle: H2O is a primary limiting factor with any ecosystem.
The Water Cycle Evaporation: water changes from a liquid to a gas Condensation: water vapor (gas) changes from a gas to a liquid Precipitation: the form that H2O takes when it returns to Earth Transpiration: when water leaves from the leaves (through the stomata)
The Carbon/Hydrogen AND Oxygen Cycle Cellular Respiration -->Photosynthesis-->Cellular Respiration -->Photosynthesis these two processes work together as a cycle
The Carbon/Hydrogen AND Oxygen Cycle Photosynthesis Reactants: what is needed? CO2 H2O Products: what comes out? C6H12O6 (Glucose) & O2 Respiration: Reactants: what is needed? C6H12O6 (Glucose) & O2 Products: what comes out? CO2 and H2O
Trade-off when we (humans) make a decision, we must consider-- what is the benefit to us and what are the risks? (This is the trade-off.)
Created by: Mrs. Curcio
Popular Ecology sets

 

 



Voices

Use these flashcards to help memorize information. Look at the large card and try to recall what is on the other side. Then click the card to flip it. If you knew the answer, click the green Know box. Otherwise, click the red Don't know box.

When you've placed seven or more cards in the Don't know box, click "retry" to try those cards again.

If you've accidentally put the card in the wrong box, just click on the card to take it out of the box.

You can also use your keyboard to move the cards as follows:

If you are logged in to your account, this website will remember which cards you know and don't know so that they are in the same box the next time you log in.

When you need a break, try one of the other activities listed below the flashcards like Matching, Snowman, or Hungry Bug. Although it may feel like you're playing a game, your brain is still making more connections with the information to help you out.

To see how well you know the information, try the Quiz or Test activity.

Pass complete!
"Know" box contains:
Time elapsed:
Retries:
restart all cards