Conservation Ecology Flashcards
(31 cards)
As the human population grows…?
The demand for Earth’s resources increases
What is Earth’s carrying capacity?
It is unkown.
What has helped increase Earth’s carrying capacity?
Technology: gas-powered farm equipment and medical advancements
What pressures from the growing human population?
Natural resources
Nonrenewable resources are used faster than they form such as….
Coal and Oil
Renewable resources cannot be used up or can replenish themselves over time such as…
Wind, water, sunlight
Growing use of nonrenewable resources may lead to…
Crisis
What is an example of careless use of resources making them unavailable to future generations
Easter island
What is ecological footprint?
The amount of land needed to support a person
The land must produce and maintain enough…?
Food and water, shelter, energy, waster
What factors affect the size of the ecological footprint?
Amount and efficiency of resource use, amount and toxicity of waster produced.
The impact of a growing human population threatens…?
Biodiversity
Why is preserving biodiversity important?
For the future of the biosphere
What are the long-term effects from the loss of biodiversity
Loss of medical and technological advances, extiniction of species, loss of ecosystem stability.
What happens when the loss of habitat happens?
Eliminates species
Habitat fragmentation prevents…how does it occur…?
An organism from accessing its entire range, occur when a barrier forms within the habitat and often caused by human development.
What is the soluation to habitat fragmentation?
Habitat corridors.
What does habitat corridors do?
Corridors can be road overpasses or underpasses, allow species to move between different areas of habitat.
Introduced species can disrupt _____ _____________ in an ecosystem
stable relationships
An introduced species is one that is brought to an ecosystem by humans..
Accidental and purposeful
Invase species can have…
an environmental and economic impact
Invasive species often push out…?
Native species such as Burmese pythons (Florida Everglades), mice (Australia), and Kudzu (Southeastern United States)
What does conservation methods help do?
Protect and restore ecosystem
What does sustainable development manage?
Resources for present and future generations
-Resources meet current needs
-Resources will still be available for future use
