Environmental Science | Fall Flashcards
End of Semester Test (259 cards)
1
Q
Abiotic Factors
A
Non-living physical and chemical components of an ecosystem, like temperature, sunlight, and soil.
2
Q
Agricultural Revolution
A
A period of significant agricultural development marked by innovations in farming practices and crop cultivation.
3
Q
Alpine
A
A biome found in high mountain regions characterized by cold temperatures and low-growing vegetation.
4
Q
Anthropocentrism
A
A worldview that prioritizes human needs and interests over those of other species or the environment
5
Q
Atmosphere
A
The layer of gases surrounding Earth that supports life and regulates temperature
6
Q
Autotrophs
A
Organisms that produce their own food using sunlight (photosynthesis) or chemical energy (chemosynthesis)
7
Q
Behavioral Isolation
A
A reproductive barrier where differences in mating behaviors prevent interbreeding between species
8
Q
Biocentrism
A
A philosophy that values all living beings equally, emphasizing the intrinsic worth of life
9
Q
Biodiversity
A
The variety of life in an area, including species, genetic, and ecosystem diversity
10
Q
Biodiversity Index
A
A measure that quantifies biodiversity in a specific region, often considering species richness and evenness
11
Q
Biomass
A
The total mass of living organisms in a given area or ecosystem
12
Q
Biome
A
A large community of plants and animals that occupies a distinct region defined by climate and vegetation
13
Q
Biosphere
A
The global sum of all ecosystems, including all living beings and their relationships with the environment
14
Q
Biotic Factors
A
Living components of an ecosystem, such as plants, animals, and microorganisms
15
Q
Carnivore
A
An organism that primarily consumes meat
16
Q
Carrying Capacity
A
The maximum population size of a species that an environment can sustain over time
17
Q
Chaparral
A
A biome characterized by hot, dry summers and mild, wet winters, with vegetation like shrubs and small trees
18
Q
Climatogram
A
A graph that displays average temperature and precipitation of a region over time
19
Q
Commensalism
A
A relationship where one species benefits while the other is neither helped nor harmed
20
Q
Community
A
A group of interacting populations of different species living in the same area
21
Q
Control Variable
A
A variable in an experiment that remains constant to ensure accurate results
22
Q
Cost-Benefit Analysis
A
A process for evaluating the economic, social, or environmental trade-offs of a decision or action
23
Q
Cryosphere
A
The frozen water part of the Earth, including glaciers, ice caps, and sea ice
24
Q
Cultural
A
Relating to the shared beliefs, practices, and traditions of a group of people
25
Deciduous Forest
A biome with trees that shed their leaves seasonally, found in temperate regions
26
Decomposer
Organisms that break down dead or decaying matter, recycling nutrients into the ecosystem
27
Density-Dependent Factors
Factors that affect population growth depending on the population's density, like competition and predation
28
Density-Independent factors
Factors that impact population growth regardless of population density, such as natural disasters
29
Dependent Variable
The variable being tested and measured in an experiment
30
Desert
A biome with very low precipitation and sparse vegetation
31
Ecocentrism
A philosophy that values ecosystems as a whole, including non-living elements
32
Ecology
The study of relationships between organisms and their environment
33
Ecological Biodiversity
The variety of ecosystems within a region or globally
34
Ecological Footprint
A measure of the environmental impact of an individual or population
35
Ecological Pyramid
A graphical representation of energy or biomass at different trophic levels
36
Ecosystem
A community of living organisms interacting with their physical environment
37
Endangered Species
Species at risk of extinction due to declining population or habitat loss
38
Energy Flow
The transfer of energy through an ecosystem via food chains and food webs
39
Environment
The external physical, biological, and chemical conditions in which an organism lives
40
Environmental Activism
Efforts to advocate for the protection and preservation of the environment
41
Environmental Policies
Regulations and laws aimed at managing and protecting natural resources and ecosystems
42
Environmental Science
The study of the interactions between humans and the environment
43
Ethics
Principles governing what is right or wrong, often applied to moral decisions
44
Exponential Growth
Population growth that occurs at an increasing rate over time
45
Fecundity
The reproductive capacity of an organism or population
46
Fertility
The ability of individuals or populations to reproduce
47
First Law of Thermodynamics
Energy cannot be created or destroyed, only transformed or transferred
48
Food Chain
A linear sequence of organisms showing energy transfer through consumption
49
Food Web
A complex network of interrelated food chains in an ecosystem
50
Fundamental Niche
The full range of environmental conditions an organism can occupy without competition
51
Generalist
A species that can thrive in a wide variety of environments and diets
52
Genetic Biodiversity
The variety of genetic traits within a species
53
Geographic Isolation
A physical barrier that separates populations, leading to speciation
54
Geosphere
The solid part of the Earth, including rocks, minerals, and landforms
55
Grassland
A biome dominated by grasses, with few trees and moderate rainfall
56
Habitat
The natural environment where a species lives and thrives
57
Habitat Fragmentation
The division of ecosystems into smaller, isolated sections
58
Herbivore
An organism that primarily consumes plants
59
Heterotrophs
Organisms that obtain energy by consuming other organisms
60
Hydrosphere
The water component of Earth, including oceans, rivers, and lakes
61
Indicator Species
Species whose presence or absence indicates the health of an ecosystem
62
Industrial Revolution
A period of rapid industrialization beginning in the 18th century that transformed economies and societies
63
Invasive Species
Non-native species that disrupt ecosystems by outcompeting native organisms
64
K-Strategists
Species that produce few offspring but invest heavily in their survival
65
Keystone Species
A species that plays a crucial role in maintaining ecosystem balance
66
Life Expectancy
The average number of years an organism is expected to live
67
Logistic Growth
Population growth that stabilizes at the carrying capacity
68
Mechanical Isolation
A reproductive barrier where physical differences prevent mating
69
Mortality
The rate of death in a population
70
Mutualism
A relationship where both species benefit
71
Natality
The rate of birth in a population
72
Niche
The role and position an organism occupies in an ecosystem
73
Nonrenewable Energy
Energy sources like coal and oil that cannot be replenished in a short time
74
Omnivore
An organism that consumes both plants and animals
75
Organism
A living entity capable of growth, reproduction, and response to stimuli
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Parasitism
A relationship where one species benefits at the expense of the other
77
Pioneer Species
The first species to colonize a disturbed or new habitat
78
Population
A group of individuals of the same species living in a specific area
79
Population Pyramid
A graphical representation of a population's age and gender distribution
80
Predation
An interaction where one organism hunts and consumes another
81
Primary Consumer
An organism that directly consumes producers
82
Primary Succession
The development of ecosystems in areas without previous soil or life
83
Principle of Competitive Exclusion
No two species can occupy the same niche indefinitely
84
Producer
Organisms like plants that generate energy through photosynthesis or chemosynthesis
85
Provisioning
Ecosystem services that supply resources like food, water, and raw materials
86
Qualitative Data
Descriptive data that characterizes but does not measure
87
Quantitative Data
Numerical data used for measurement and analysis
88
R-Strategists
Species that produce many offspring with minimal parental investment
89
Rainforest
A biome with high biodiversity, consistent rainfall, and dense vegetation
90
Realized Niche
The actual conditions an organism occupies due to competition and other factors
91
Regulating
Ecosystem services that moderate environmental conditions, like climate and water flow
92
Renewable Energy
Energy sources that are naturally replenished, such as solar and wind
93
Savanna
A tropical biome with grasses and scattered trees, characterized by a wet and dry season
94
Scavenger
An organism that consumes dead animals
95
Scientific Method
A systematic approach to research through observation, hypothesis, and experimentation
96
Secondary Consumer
An organism that consumes primary consumers
97
Secondary Species
Species that appear after pioneer species in succession
98
Secondary Succession
The regrowth of ecosystems after a disturbance that leaves soil intact
99
Specialist
A species adapted to a specific niche or environment
100
Speciation
The process by which new species arise
101
Species
A group of organisms capable of interbreeding and producing fertile offspring
102
Species Biodiversity
The variety of species in a specific area
103
Succession
The natural process of change in an ecosystem over time
104
Supporting
Ecosystem services that maintain conditions for life, like nutrient cycling
105
Taiga
A biome characterized by coniferous forests and cold climates
106
Temporal Isolation
A reproductive barrier where species reproduce at different times
107
Tertiary Consumer
An organism that consumes secondary consumers
108
Threatened Species
Species likely to become endangered in the near future
109
Tolerance
The range of environmental conditions a species can survive and reproduce in
110
Tundra
A biome with cold temperatures, minimal precipitation, and limited vegetation
111
Tragedy of the Commons
A situation where shared resources are depleted due to individual self-interest
112
environment
all living and nonliving things with which humans interact, such as natural resources, ecosystems, and even human-made systems
113
what is the difference between environmental science and environmental activism
Environmental Science: A scientific discipline that studies the interactions between living and nonliving things and addresses environmental problems using an interdisciplinary approach (biology, chemistry, economics, etc.).
Environmental Activism: A social movement advocating for the protection of the natural environment through policy, advocacy, and action.
114
examples of renewable energy
solar, wind, hydropower (water), biomass (physical/muscle)
115
examples of nonrenewable energy
coal, oil, natural gas, uranium, lithium
116
Significance of the Agricultural and Industrial Revolutions
Agricultural Revolution: Transition from hunter-gatherer societies to farming, leading to stable communities, increased food production, and population growth.
Industrial Revolution: Advancements in machinery, medicine, and technology that increased health, life expectancy, and resource consumption, but also introduced sustainability challenges.
117
What is an ecological footprint and why is it important?
The ecological footprint measures the demand placed on Earth’s resources by individuals or groups. It helps identify unsustainable consumption rates.
118
what information is included in an ecological footprint
the materials and resources consumed, and the resources needed to dispose of the waste produced
119
What countries typically have high and low ecological footprints?
High: Industrialized nations (e.g., USA, UAE).
Low: Developing regions (e.g., Sub-Saharan Africa).
120
What is the Tragedy of the Commons? Provide an example.
When shared resources are overused and depleted due to individuals acting in self-interest without regulation. Example: Overfishing.
121
What are the steps of the scientific process?
1. State the problem or question.
2. Gather information (research).What is the Tragedy of the Commons? Provide an example.What is the Tragedy of the Commons? Provide an example.What is the Tragedy of the Commons? Provide an example.What is the Tragedy of the Commons? Provide an example.What is the Tragedy of the Commons? Provide an example.What is the Tragedy of the Commons? Provide an example.What is the Tragedy of the Commons? Provide an example.What is the Tragedy of the Commons? Provide an example.What is the Tragedy of the Commons? Provide an example.
3. Form a hypothesis.
4. Test the hypothesis (experiment).
5. Collect and analyze data.
6. Draw conclusions.
7. Share findings.
122
How many variables should be changed in an experiment, and why?
Only one variable should be changed at a time to isolate the cause-effect relationship and ensure clear results.
123
Why do scientists compare two organisms in experiments?
To understand differences in characteristics, behaviors, or responses to variables, which can provide insights into broader biological or ecological processes.
124
What is the difference between independent and dependent variables?
Independent Variable: The factor that is changed or manipulated.
Dependent Variable: The outcome or result measured.
125
What is the difference between qualitative and quantitative data?
Qualitative Data: Descriptions or characteristics (e.g., color, texture).
Quantitative Data: Numerical measurements (e.g., weight, temperature).
126
Why is peer review important in science?
Ethics guide responsible experimentation, especially in environmental science, where human and ecological impacts must be considered.
127
What are the three types of ethical worldviews in environmental science?
Anthropocentrism: Values human welfare and needs most.
Biocentrism: Values all living organisms equally.
Ecocentrism: Values ecosystems as a whole over individual components.
128
What is a cost-benefit analysis?
A decision-making tool that weighs costs (e.g., money, time, environmental impact) against benefits to determine if an action is worthwhile.
129
What are the four types of ecosystem services? Provide examples.
Provisioning: Goods humans use directly (e.g., fisheries).
Regulating: Controls of air, water, and soil (e.g., wetlands improve water quality).
Cultural: Non-material benefits (e.g., rivers for recreation).
Supporting: Basic necessities for ecosystems to function (e.g., forests providing oxygen).
130
Why are environmental policies necessary?
They prevent resource depletion, protect ecosystems, and address the Tragedy of the Commons.
131
At what levels can environmental policies be created?
Local, state, national, and global levels.
132
What are the two types of environmental policies?
Regulations: Rules with penalties (e.g., Clean Water Act).
Incentives: Encouragement through subsidies or tax credits (e.g., solar panel tax credits).
133
What are the four spheres of the Earth?
Geosphere (ground), Hydrosphere (water), Cryosphere (frozen water), Atmosphere (air), and Biosphere (life).
134
How do the Earth's spheres interact?
Example: Rain (hydrosphere) falls on soil (geosphere), causing grass (biosphere) to grow. A cow (biosphere) eats the grass and exhales CO₂ (atmosphere).
135
What is ecology?
Ecology is the study of interactions between organisms and their environments. It combines biology, meteorology, chemistry, and other sciences.
136
Why is ecology important?
It helps us understand ecosystems and interactions, which is essential for conservation and environmental management.
137
What are biotic factors? Provide 3 examples.
Living components of an environment. Examples: Frog, fungi, bacteria.
138
What are abiotic factors? Provide 3 examples.
Non-living components of an environment. Examples: Air, water, temperature.
139
What are the levels of biological organization, smallest to largest?
Organism → Population → Community → Ecosystem → Biome → Biosphere.
140
What is the difference between a habitat and a niche?
Habitat: Where an organism lives. Niche: The unique role an organism plays in its environment.
141
What are the two types of niches?
Fundamental niche: Role without competition.
Realized niche: Smaller role due to competition.
142
What is a decomposer? How is it different from a scavenger?
Decomposers break down dead matter into simpler molecules. Scavengers eat dead animals but do not fully decompose them.
143
How do autotrophs obtain energy?
They produce energy using the sun (photosynthesis) or chemical compounds.
144
How do heterotrophs obtain energy?
By consuming other organisms. Examples: Herbivores (plants), Carnivores (meat), Omnivores (both).
145
What is the difference between a food chain and a food web?
A food chain shows a single energy flow path, while a food web shows interconnected feeding relationships.
146
What do energy pyramids show?
Energy transfer between trophic levels. Lower levels have more energy and organisms; less energy is available at the top.
147
How much energy is transferred to each trophic level?
10% of energy is transferred; the rest is lost as heat or undigested food.
148
What are the types of symbiotic relationships?
Mutualism: Both benefit (e.g., clownfish and anemone).
Commensalism: One benefits, the other is unaffected (e.g., tree frogs and plants).
Parasitism: One benefits, the other is harmed (e.g., fleas on a dog).
Predation: One hunts and eats the other (e.g., owl and mouse).
149
What is the geosphere?
The geosphere consists of rocks, minerals, soil, and Earth's internal layers (mantle and core).
150
What is the hydrosphere?
The hydrosphere includes all water on Earth's surface, underground, and in the atmosphere.
151
What is the cryosphere?
The frozen portion of the hydrosphere, including glaciers and sea ice.
152
What is the atmosphere made of?
Gases surrounding Earth, primarily nitrogen and oxygen.
153
What is the biosphere?
The portion of Earth where life exists, from deep oceans to high in the atmosphere.
154
What determines an organism's niche?
Factors like optimum temperature, required resources, and tolerance to changes.
155
What is the difference between specialists and generalists?
Specialists have a limited tolerance and adapt to small changes. Generalists adapt easily to a wide range of changes.
156
How do scavengers help ecosystems?
They consume animals that have already died, preventing decomposing matter from piling up.
157
Why are food webs more accurate than food chains?
Food webs show overlapping relationships, reflecting that organisms consume more than one type of food.
158
What are the four spheres of the Earth?
Geosphere, Hydrosphere, Cryosphere, Atmosphere, and Biosphere.
159
How does the hydrosphere interact with the biosphere? Provide an example.
Rain (hydrosphere) helps plants (biosphere) grow.
160
What is the geosphere composed of?
Rocks, minerals, soil, and Earth's internal layers (mantle and core).
161
What part of the hydrosphere is referred to as the cryosphere?
The frozen part of the hydrosphere, including glaciers and sea ice.
162
What gases make up most of the atmosphere?
Nitrogen and oxygen.
163
Define ecology.
The scientific study of interactions between organisms and their environments.
164
What is the difference between biotic and abiotic factors? Give one example of each.
Biotic factors are living (e.g., frog), abiotic factors are non-living (e.g., air).
165
What is the difference between an organism’s habitat and niche?
A habitat is where an organism lives, and a niche is its role in the environment.
166
What is the difference between endangered species and threatened species?
Endangered species are in immediate jeopardy of extinction, while threatened species are at a lower risk but may become endangered in the future.
167
What factors can cause extinction?
Habitat loss, introduction of non-native species, over-exploitation, pollution, and disease.
168
What did the Endangered Species Act of 1973 do?
Placed international trade restrictions on threatened and endangered species and protected critical habitats from destruction.
169
What causes speciation?
Speciation occurs when gene pools are separated due to behavioral, mechanical, temporal, or geographic isolation.
170
Explain the principle of competitive exclusion.
Two species competing for the same limited resource cannot both thrive. One will outcompete the other or force it to adapt or relocate.
171
What is the difference between linear and exponential growth?
Linear growth increases by a constant amount, while exponential growth increases at a constant rate, doubling rapidly.
172
How do populations increase, and what is the shape of that graph?
Populations increase exponentially, forming a "J" curve graph.
173
What are limiting factors, and how do they affect population size?
Limiting factors prevent indefinite growth by causing populations to stabilize at the carrying capacity.
174
What is the difference between density-dependent and density-independent factors?
Density-dependent factors (e.g., predation, disease) depend on population size, while density-independent factors (e.g., natural disasters) affect populations regardless of size.
175
What is the shape of the graph when a population reaches its carrying capacity?
An S-curve (logistic growth).
176
What factors affect population growth?
Natality (birth rate), fertility, mortality (death rate), and life expectancy.
177
What is a survivorship curve?
A graph showing the probability of survival for a species. Type 1 shows high early survival (e.g., humans), Type 2 shows constant survival, and Type 3 shows low early survival (e.g., insects).
178
What are the differences between K Strategists and R Strategists?
K Strategists have few offspring, high parental care, and live in stable environments. R Strategists have many offspring, low parental care, and live in unstable environments.
179
What does a population pyramid show?
It shows the age and gender distribution of a population. A wide base indicates an increasing population; a narrow base indicates a decreasing population.
180
What characteristics define a biome?
Temperature, soil, light, and water define a biome.
181
Name and describe the 9 biomes.
Tundra: Cold, treeless, permafrost.
Taiga: Cold, coniferous forests.
Grasslands: Grassy, fire-prone.
Deciduous Forest: Four seasons, many trees.
Savanna: Grassland with few trees.
Chaparral: Hot, dry, fire-prone.
Rainforest: Warm, rainy, diverse.
Desert: Hot/cold, sparse vegetation.
Alpine: Cold, mountainous.
182
What is the difference between weather and climate?
Weather is daily temperature and precipitation, while climate is long-term patterns of weather.
183
What is a climatogram?
A graph showing temperature and rainfall in an area, useful for identifying biomes and climate patterns.
184
Why are keystone species important?
They have a large impact on their habitats, influencing many other species.
185
Why are indicator species important?
They signal environmental health and respond to environmental changes.
186
How are mangroves keystone species?
Mangroves stabilize coastlines, provide shelter for aquatic species, and reduce erosion.
187
What is succession, and what are its two types?
Succession is the process of ecological change.
Primary succession starts without soil (e.g., volcanic islands).
Secondary succession starts with existing soil (e.g., after a fire).
188
What are pioneer species, and why are they important?
Pioneer species (e.g., lichens) are the first to colonize barren areas and help create soil for other species.
189
What is a climax community?
The final stage of succession, a stable ecosystem with little change in species composition.
190
What are the 3 main types of biodiversity?
Species biodiversity, genetic biodiversity, and ecological biodiversity.
191
How do you calculate biodiversity index?
Number of species ÷ Total number of individuals. A higher value indicates greater diversity.
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How do you know if an environment is highly diverse?
A high biodiversity index shows high diversity.
193
How are line transects used?
They measure species along a line to estimate biodiversity. Multiple transects provide better accuracy.
194
What impacts do invasive species have on biodiversity?
Invasive species reproduce quickly, outcompete native species, and reduce biodiversity. Examples: kudzu, zebra mussels.
195
Define the term "environment" and explain how humans interact with it.
The environment includes all living and nonliving things that interact on Earth. Humans interact with it by utilizing resources such as water, air, and soil, and by affecting it through activities like farming, urban development, and pollution.
196
Differentiate between environmental science, environmental activism, and ecology. Provide examples for each.
Environmental science studies the interactions between living and nonliving things and addresses resource use issues. Environmental activism advocates for protecting natural environments, like protests against deforestation. Ecology focuses on how organisms interact within ecosystems, such as predator-prey dynamics.
197
Why are the Agricultural Revolution and the Industrial Revolution considered pivotal in shaping human interaction with natural resources?
The Agricultural Revolution allowed humans to settle and farm, increasing resource use. The Industrial Revolution introduced machinery, expanding resource consumption but also leading to population growth and environmental strain.
198
Explain what an ecological footprint measures and why it is important.
An ecological footprint measures the resources consumed by individuals or populations and the waste generated. It is important to understand sustainability and resource allocation globally.
199
Describe the "Tragedy of the Commons" and provide one real-world example.
The "Tragedy of the Commons" occurs when shared resources are overused due to lack of regulation. An example is overfishing, where unregulated fishing depletes marine populations.
200
How do supply and demand influence the cost of natural resources? Provide an example.
When demand exceeds supply, resource prices rise. For example, scarce freshwater in arid regions leads to increased costs for access and distribution.
201
How can individuals reduce their ecological footprint? List and explain two strategies.
Individuals can reduce their footprint by using renewable energy sources, such as solar power, and consuming less by recycling and avoiding single-use plastics.
202
Identify one government policy aimed at environmental conservation and explain its purpose.
The Clean Air Act reduces air pollution by setting emission limits on industries and vehicles to improve air quality and public health.
203
List the steps of the scientific method and explain why sharing results is important.
Steps include: stating a problem, gathering information, forming a hypothesis, testing it, collecting data, drawing conclusions, and sharing results. Sharing results allows others to validate findings and advance knowledge.
204
Define and provide examples of independent and dependent variables in an experiment.
An independent variable is what the experimenter changes (e.g., fertilizer type in a plant growth study), while the dependent variable is what is measured (e.g., plant height).
205
Explain why experiments should only change one variable at a time.
Controlling variables ensures results are attributable to the change in the independent variable, preventing confusion in identifying causes of observed effects.
206
How does peer review reduce faulty science?
Peer review ensures research methods and conclusions are critically evaluated by experts, reducing errors and bias.
207
Compare inductive reasoning and deductive reasoning with examples.
Inductive reasoning develops general rules from observations (e.g., all observed swans are white, so all swans must be white). Deductive reasoning applies general rules to specific cases (e.g., if all swans are white and this is a swan, it must be white).
208
Provide a real-world example of how the scientific method has been used to solve an environmental problem.
Scientists used the method to investigate ozone layer depletion. Research identified CFCs as the cause, leading to global action like the Montreal Protocol to reduce their use.
209
What are biotic and abiotic factors? Provide three examples of each.
Biotic factors are living components like plants, animals, and bacteria. Abiotic factors are nonliving, such as sunlight, temperature, and water.
210
Describe the levels of organization in ecology from organism to biosphere.
Levels include organism, population (same species in one area), community (multiple populations), ecosystem (biotic and abiotic factors), biome (regional ecosystems), and biosphere (global life-supporting areas).
211
Explain the difference between an organism’s niche and habitat. Provide examples.
A habitat is where an organism lives (e.g., a forest), while a niche is its role, such as a decomposer breaking down organic material.
212
Define and compare fundamental and realized niches.
A fundamental niche is the potential range of conditions an organism can occupy, while a realized niche is limited by competition. For example, a bird’s fundamental niche might include multiple tree types, but competition might restrict it to one tree.
213
How do tolerance levels affect an organism’s survival?
Tolerance levels determine how organisms respond to environmental changes. For example, fish require specific temperature ranges to survive.
214
How do human activities impact ecosystems? Provide two examples and explain the consequences.
Deforestation reduces habitats and biodiversity, while pollution can poison water sources, harming aquatic life and disrupting food chains.
215
Compare and contrast food chains and food webs. Why are food webs more accurate?
Food chains show linear energy flow, while food webs depict overlapping feeding relationships. Food webs are more accurate as organisms often have varied diets.
216
Explain how energy is transferred through trophic levels and why only 10% is passed to the next level.
Energy flows from producers to consumers, with 10% transferred due to losses from heat and undigested material.
217
Provide examples of primary consumers, secondary consumers, and tertiary consumers.
Primary consumers (herbivores) eat plants (e.g., rabbits). Secondary consumers eat herbivores (e.g., foxes). Tertiary consumers eat secondary consumers (e.g., hawks).
218
What is the First Law of Thermodynamics, and how does it apply to ecosystems?
Energy cannot be created or destroyed but is transferred, as seen in ecosystems where energy moves through trophic levels.
219
Identify and provide examples of mutualism, commensalism, and parasitism.
Mutualism benefits both (e.g., bees pollinating flowers). Commensalism benefits one without harming the other (e.g., barnacles on whales). Parasitism benefits one while harming the other (e.g., ticks on dogs).
220
How do energy pyramids illustrate relationships in ecosystems?
They show energy flow between trophic levels, with energy decreasing as you move up the pyramid due to energy losses.
221
Describe the principle of competitive exclusion and its outcomes.
No two species can occupy the same niche indefinitely. One species outcompetes the other, leading to extinction or niche adaptation.
222
Define carrying capacity and explain its significance.
Carrying capacity is the maximum population an environment can sustain. It ensures resource availability and ecological balance.
223
Compare exponential and logistic growth, including graph shapes.
Exponential growth forms a J-curve and occurs under ideal conditions. Logistic growth levels off at carrying capacity, forming an S-curve due to limiting factors.
224
What are density-dependent and density-independent limiting factors? Provide examples.
Density-dependent factors depend on population size (e.g., competition, disease). Density-independent factors affect populations regardless of size (e.g., natural disasters).
225
Explain the difference between endangered and threatened species.
Endangered species are at immediate risk of extinction, while threatened species are likely to become endangered soon.
226
What are the three types of biodiversity? Why is each important?
Species diversity ensures ecosystem stability, genetic diversity aids adaptability, and ecological diversity supports interactions among species.
227
How do invasive species impact ecosystems? Provide examples.
Invasive species outcompete natives, disrupting ecosystems. For example, zebra mussels crowd out native aquatic species.
228
Explain the concept of succession and differentiate between primary and secondary succession.
Succession is ecosystem development after disturbance. Primary starts with no soil (e.g., volcanic islands), while secondary occurs with existing soil (e.g., after a fire).
229
What are the four characteristics that define biomes?
Biomes are defined by temperature, soil, light, and water.
230
Describe the main features of the tundra and rainforest biomes.
The tundra is cold, treeless, and has permafrost. The rainforest is warm, wet, and biodiverse.
231
How do weather and climate differ?
Weather is daily atmospheric conditions, while climate is long-term trends.
232
Why are climatograms useful in identifying biomes?
Climatograms show temperature and precipitation, aiding biome classification.
233
Explain the role of keystone species in maintaining ecosystem stability. Provide an example.
Keystone species, like wolves in Yellowstone, have large effects on ecosystem dynamics by controlling prey populations and promoting biodiversity.
234
Analyze how climate change can alter biome distribution.
Rising temperatures and shifting rainfall patterns can shrink tundras, expand deserts, and disrupt species adapted to specific climates.
235
Define the term "environment" and explain how humans interact with it.
The environment includes all living and nonliving things that interact on Earth. Humans interact with it by utilizing resources such as water, air, and soil, and by affecting it through activities like farming, urban development, and pollution.
236
Differentiate between environmental science, environmental activism, and ecology. Provide examples for each.
Environmental science studies the interactions between living and nonliving things and addresses resource use issues. Environmental activism advocates for protecting natural environments, like protests against deforestation. Ecology focuses on how organisms interact within ecosystems, such as predator-prey dynamics.
237
Why are the Agricultural Revolution and the Industrial Revolution considered pivotal in shaping human interaction with natural resources?
The Agricultural Revolution allowed humans to settle and farm, increasing resource use. The Industrial Revolution introduced machinery, expanding resource consumption but also leading to population growth and environmental strain.
238
Explain what an ecological footprint measures and why it is important.
An ecological footprint measures the resources consumed by individuals or populations and the waste generated. It is important to understand sustainability and resource allocation globally.
239
Describe the "Tragedy of the Commons" and provide one real-world example.
The "Tragedy of the Commons" occurs when shared resources are overused due to lack of regulation. An example is overfishing, where unregulated fishing depletes marine populations.
240
How do supply and demand influence the cost of natural resources? Provide an example.
When demand exceeds supply, resource prices rise. For example, scarce freshwater in arid regions leads to increased costs for access and distribution.
241
How can individuals reduce their ecological footprint? List and explain two strategies.
Individuals can reduce their footprint by using renewable energy sources, such as solar power, and consuming less by recycling and avoiding single-use plastics.
242
Identify one government policy aimed at environmental conservation and explain its purpose.
The Clean Air Act reduces air pollution by setting emission limits on industries and vehicles to improve air quality and public health.
243
Provide an example of how technological advances have both positively and negatively affected the environment.
Advances like solar panels provide clean energy, reducing fossil fuel reliance. Conversely, increased mining for rare earth metals used in electronics can harm ecosystems.
244
Explain how community-level actions can address environmental challenges like waste management.
Communities can implement recycling programs, promote composting, and establish local ordinances to reduce waste production and increase resource efficiency.
245
Define and provide examples of independent and dependent variables in an experiment.
An independent variable is what the experimenter changes (e.g., fertilizer type in a plant growth study), while the dependent variable is what is measured (e.g., plant height).
246
Explain why experiments should only change one variable at a time.
Controlling variables ensures results are attributable to the change in the independent variable, preventing confusion in identifying causes of observed effects.
247
How does peer review reduce faulty science?
Peer review ensures research methods and conclusions are critically evaluated by experts, reducing errors and bias.
248
Compare inductive reasoning and deductive reasoning with examples.
Inductive reasoning develops general rules from observations (e.g., all observed swans are white, so all swans must be white). Deductive reasoning applies general rules to specific cases (e.g., if all swans are white and this is a swan, it must be white).
249
Provide a real-world example of how the scientific method has been used to solve an environmental problem.
cientists used the method to investigate ozone layer depletion. Research identified CFCs as the cause, leading to global action like the Montreal Protocol to reduce their use.
250
Why is it important to properly label axes on graphs used in scientific research?
Proper labeling ensures clarity and accurate interpretation of data, such as showing trends or relationships between variables.
251
How can qualitative and quantitative data complement each other in ecological studies? Provide examples.
Quantitative data (e.g., population size) provides measurable insights, while qualitative data (e.g., behavioral observations) adds context to understand interactions.
252
Discuss how human activities such as deforestation and agriculture impact the nitrogen cycle.
Deforestation reduces nitrogen absorption by plants, while agriculture often leads to nitrogen runoff, causing water pollution and algal blooms.
253
Explain how nutrient cycles interact with food webs.
Nutrient cycles, like the nitrogen and phosphorus cycles, replenish essential elements that producers require for growth, directly supporting food webs.
254
Analyze how the loss of producers would affect higher trophic levels.
Without producers, energy input into the ecosystem would stop, leading to starvation and collapse of herbivore and predator populations.
255
How would the removal of a keystone species impact an ecosystem?
Removing a keystone species, like sea otters, can cause prey populations to overgrow and disrupt the balance, such as kelp forests disappearing due to unchecked sea urchins.
256
How do energy pyramids illustrate relationships in ecosystems?
They show energy flow between trophic levels, with energy decreasing as you move up the pyramid due to energy losses.
257
Identify and provide examples of mutualism, commensalism, and parasitism.
Mutualism benefits both (e.g., bees pollinating flowers). Commensalism benefits one without harming the other (e.g., barnacles on whales). Parasitism benefits one while harming the other (e.g., ticks on dogs).
258
What is the First Law of Thermodynamics, and how does it apply to ecosystems?
Energy cannot be created or destroyed but is transferred, as seen in ecosystems where energy moves through trophic levels.
259
provide examples of primary consumers, secondary consumers, and tertiary consumers.
Primary consumers (herbivores) eat plants (e.g., rabbits). Secondary consumers eat herbivores (e.g., foxes). Tertiary consumers eat secondary consumers (e.g., hawks).
