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Biology Quizlet #25
17 terms Quater 4
Term | Definition |
---|---|
Greenhouse Effect | warming that results when solar radiation is trapped by the atmosphere |
Greenhouse Gas | a gas that contributes to the greenhouse effect by absorbing infrared radiation |
Global Warming | a gradual increase in the overall temperature of the earth's atmosphere generally attributed to the greenhouse effect caused by increased levels of carbon dioxide, chlorofluorocarbons, and other pollutants. |
Ocean Acidification | decreasing pH of ocean waters due to absorption of excess atmospheric CO2 from the burning of fossil fuels |
Coral Bleaching | the loss of color in corals that occurs when stressed corals expel the algae that live in them |
Invasive Species | species that enter new ecosystems and multiply, harming native species and their habitats |
Background Extinction Rate | normal extinction rate of various species as a result of changes in local environmental conditions |
Biodiversity Hotspot | A place where there is an exceptionally large number of species in a relatively small area |
Deforestation | The removal of trees faster than forests can replace themselves; Destruction of forests |
Habitat Fragmentation | Breakup of a habitat into smaller pieces, usually as a result of human activities. |
Habitat Encroachment | the spread of humans, transportation systems, utilities, buildings, and other development into natural areas |
Trafficking | any environment-related crime that involves the illegal trade, smuggling, poaching, capture or collection of endangered species, protected wildlife (including animals and plants that are subject to harvest quotas and regulated by permits), derivatives or |
poaching | Illegal killing or removal of wildlife from their habitats |
overexploitation | Practice of harvesting or hunting to such a degree that remaining individuals may not be able to replenish the population |
ecosystem services | The process by which natural environments provide life-supporting resources |
keystone species | a species on which other species in an ecosystem largely depend, such that if it were removed the ecosystem would change drastically. |
mass extinction | A large extinction many of species in a relatively short period of time; the rate is greater than the background extinction rate |