ecosystem dynamics - climate change

Question 1

climate

Answer 1

-long term, predictable atmospheric weather conditions over a long period of time
-made up of variables such as precipitation, temperature, sunlight and wind

Question 2

weather

Answer 2

-atmospheric conditions in an area over a short time
-weather forecasts can be unreliable
-cannot be a gauge for climate change, as it is too short term

Question 3

climate change

Answer 3

-a significant change in global climate that can be identified by changes in the average and variability of such features such as temperature and precipitation, and last for a long time

Question 4

evidence for global warming

Answer 4

-antarctic ice cubes calculate estimates of average global temperature and carbon dioxide
-atmospheric carbon dioxide rises and falls in cycle
-evidence supports a relationship between the rise in carbon dioxide and the rise in average global temperature

Question 5

causes of climate change

Answer 5

-greenhouse gases trap heat
-human activities of burning fossil fuels and deforestation increase concentration of greenhouse gases
-greenhouse effect is the insulating effect of these gases in atmosphere which prevent solar radiation from escaping the Earth’s atmosphere
-causes absorption of heat originally from the sun, keeping earth warm
-natural greenhouse effect is essential for habitat global temperature
-enhanced greenhouse effect occurs when too much heat is retained

Question 6

observable factors regarding climate change

Answer 6

-increased melting of glaciers & polar ice sheets, increase in sea level
-timing of seasonal events changing
-species experience selective pressures, e.g. habitats becoming unsuitable
-biodiversity declines and resilience of ecosystem declines

Question 7

events increase by climate change

Answer 7

-heat waves
-rainfall
-drought
-storms

Question 8

numbat captive breeding program

Answer 8

-endangered, less then 1000 in the wild
-captive breed for release program aims to increase numbers
-268 captive bred numbats have been released, leading to 4 new self sufficient populations
-some were to fenced areas, some were to unfenced areas for baits for invasive predators