Cycle 11 (Workshop)

Question 1

Define:

Anthropocene

Answer 1

The current geological age in which human activity has been the DOMINANT influence on climate and the environment

Question 2

State examples of human influence on Anthropocene

Answer 2

• Deforestation of the Amazon Rainforest: Massive loss of habitat and oxygen producing species, disrupted ecosystems
• Gold Mining: Destruction of previous environment, significant water pollution, displacement of animals
• Fossil Fuels: Used as source of energy
• Agriculture: Monoculture, habitat loss, loss of plants which take up CO2

Question 3

Define:

“Tipping Point”

Answer 3

A mark set at 1.5 Degree Celsius increase

Question 4

What is acknowledged as the start of the Anthropocene?

Answer 4

The Industrial Revolution

Question 5

What example is used to show the effects of the industrial revolution?

Answer 5

Moths
* In areas of industrial growth, there were hardly any white moths found
* Conversely, forests with no pollution still had white moths
* DEMONSTRATES: ADAPTATION

Question 6

Describe:

Sex Determination

Answer 6

Where temperature determines the distribution of sexes in a population

Question 7

Give an example of:

Sex Determination

Answer 7

Turtles
* If temperatures are smaller than 27.7 degrees Celsius, they are males
* If temperatures are greater than 31 degrees Celsius, they are females

Question 8

How does temperature affect univoltine species? Use the burrowing example

Answer 8

Mortality increases if temperatures continue to increase
* Can burrow into the soil to cool down, but takes up energy
* Amount of energy needed is soil and temperature dependent

Question 9

How does temperature change affect Natural Selection and Individual Variability?

Answer 9

• Individual variability for thermal tolerance exists
• Population density can impact the influence of natural selection
• More dense populations can have larger numbers of individuals with higher thermal tolerance

Question 10

What must be taken into account to determine the effect of selection?

Answer 10

Population size

Question 11

Describe how increase temperatures affect:

The Cucumber Plant

Answer 11

Increasing temperature will cause the cucumber plant to have:
* Smaller flower size
* Bigger target
* Same bullseye area
* Less nectar and pollen

Question 12

What else will be affect alongside the cucumber plant in increasing temperatures? How?

Answer 12

The symbiotic relationship between the bee and the flower is disrupted
* The bee receives LESS nectar and pollination is affected

Question 13

List and explain the:

Geographical Changes due to climate change

Answer 13

• Latitudinal: Species’ geographic range can become more North over time
• Altitudinal: Tropical birds are moving to higher altitudes as a result of climate change
• Depth: Distribution of species is changing according to sea levels

Question 14

What example is used in the lecture to described geographical changes? Explain

Answer 14

B.C. Pine Beetle
* The beetle migrated over the Rockies and adapted to a new tree species

Question 15

True or False:

Rate of displacement is the same for different animals

(If false, explain why)

Answer 15

False, rate of displacement is dependent can vary for different animals as it is dependent on mobility

Question 16

List the capacity to displace methods by plants and animals

Answer 16

Plants: Efficacy of seed dispersal
* Plants cannot run away
* Birds eat seeds, disperse in different areas
* Wind dispersal - types of seeds

Animals: Mobility (speed and how they move)
* Turtles cannot move quickly, however, climate change is gradual
* Birds can fly very long distances. Some animals use other animals to help them move

Question 17

Define:

Tropicalization

Answer 17

Movement of organisms in response to WARMER temperatures

Question 18

What are the general effects of tropicalization?

Answer 18

• Generally causes an increase in tropical species and a decrease in temperate species (E.x. Mangroves replacing salt marshes)
• Movement of organisms will disrupt the ecosystem - if there are predators better suited to the environment or who can outcompete for food, they’ll win

Question 19

Define and give examples:

Asynchrony

Answer 19

Species follow different environmental cues and migrate at different times (E.x. Monarch and Red Admiral Butterflies)

Question 20

Using the 2019 unusual wind pattern scenario:

Describe the red admiral butterfly and what happened in this scenario

Answer 20

Red Admiral butterfly: Semi-tropical, migrates in summer
* Food source was above ground, successful oviposition
* Temperature dropped and larvae died

Question 21

Using the 2019 unusual wind pattern scenario:

Describe what happened to the Monarch butterfly in this scenario

Answer 21

• Arrived, couldn’t lay eggs
• Milkweed had not come out yet, thus population died out

Question 22

Describe:

Migrant Species

Answer 22

• Migrate NORTH in spring when there are short days and hot temperatures
• Migrate SOUTH in fall when there are short days and cold temperatures
• Allows species to stay in optimal conditions year-round

Question 23

How is rising temperatures affecting migrant species? Use an example

Answer 23

Monarch butterflies along Migrant Pathway:
* Higher temperatures are causing earlier migration
* Butterflies reproduce earlier
* The 3rd generation reproduces instead of leaving
* Offspring die, or die off due to lack of food

Question 24

Describe the effects of:

Drought conditions

Answer 24

• Decreased foraging
• Decreased flower availability
• Higher nectar viscosity
• Competition with resident nectivores
• Even further decrease in lipid stores