Chapter 1 Flashcards
(32 cards)
What is the Biosphere?
The Biosphere is the global sum of all ecosystems, where Earth is viewed as a single unit.
Who proposed the Gaia Hypothesis?
The Gaia Hypothesis was proposed by J.J. Lovelock.
What does the Gaia Hypothesis suggest about Earth?
Earth, or Gaia, is the largest, most ancient, and most complex living thing.
How is Earth described in relation to living organisms?
Earth is like a living body - it is a single, self-regulating system that includes physical, chemical, biological, and human components.
What is the nature of interactions between living things and Earth?
There is constant interaction between living things and Earth, affecting and changing each other.
What happens when one component of Earth changes?
A change in one component changes every other component.
What is Dynamic Equilibrium?
Dynamic Equilibrium refers to a constantly changing balance where all components are in equilibrium.
What is the Biosphere?
A narrow zone of Earth that harbours life
It includes both living and non-living components.
What are the three zones that make up the abiotic part of the Biosphere?
- Atmosphere
- Hydrosphere
- Lithosphere
What are the components of the biotic part of the Biosphere organized into?
- Organism
- Ecosystem
- Biosphere
What is the abiotic part of the Biosphere?
The non-living part of the Biosphere
What type of system is Earth described as?
CLOSED SYSTEM
What is population size?
Number of individuals of a particular species
(Influenced by biotic and abiotic factors)
What may indicate that equilibrium has been disrupted in a population?
Sharp increases and decreases in size
What is biodiversity?
Number of different species in an ecosystem
What can disruption of an ecosystem’s equilibrium lead to?
Extinction of species (reduction in biodiversity)
What effect does extinction have on other organisms in an ecosystem?
Causes a domino effect as organisms higher up the food chain might also be forced to extinction
What is the impact of reduced plant biodiversity on animal biodiversity?
It leads to reduced animal biodiversity
What does it mean when population numbers of a species drop significantly?
The organism is said to be at risk
How many species are considered at risk in Canada?
Canada has 450 species at risk
How many species in Canada have become extinct?
12 species have become extinct
How are at-risk species classified?
By degree of risk
What does it mean when a species is classified as endangered?
Close to extinction in significantly large areas
What is meant by extirpated?
No longer exists in one part of the country, but found in other areas
