Exam Review Flashcards
1
Q
confined aquifer
A
impermeable to water
2
Q
Water table
A
Uppermost level at which the water fully saturates the rock or soil
3
Q
groundwater recharge
A
when water from precipitation can percolate through the soil and work its way into an aquifer
4
Q
artesian well
A
drilling a hole into a confined aquifer that releases its water into a well
5
Q
cone of depression
A
an area where there is no longer any groundwater
6
Q
unconfined aquifers
A
water can easily flow in and out
7
Q
saltwater intrusion
A
when the salt water adjacent to a freshwater zone is able to infiltrate an area of rapid pumping where the depth and pressure on groundwater has been reduced
8
Q
floodplain
A
when a river naturally overflows its banks during periods of spring snowmelt or heavy rainfall. improve fertility of the soil
9
Q
oligotrophic lakes
A
lakes that have low productivity due to low amounts of nutrients such as phosphorus and nitrogen
10
Q
mesotrophic lakes
A
lakes with a moderate level of productivity
11
Q
eutrophic lakes
A
lakes with high level of productivity
12
Q
impermeable surfaces
A
pavement or buildings that do not allow water penetration may cause flooding
13
Q
levee
A
an enlarged bank built up on each side of a river to prevent flooding - can no longer fertilize an area and simply relocate flooding
14
Q
dikes
A
built to prevent ocean waters from flooding adjacent land
15
Q
dam
A
a barrier that runs across a river or stream to control the flow of water
16
Q
reservoir
A
a large body of water behind a dam
benefits of dams: large amount of electricity generated through hydroelectric power
harm of dams: interrupts natural flow of water into habitats
17
Q
desalination
A
the process by which we remove salt from salt water
(1) distillation uses heat to create salt free steam that is later condensed (2) reverse osmosis forces water through semiperm membrane w/ pressure
18
Q
furrow irrigation
A
water flows through trenches - 65% efficient
19
Q
flood irrigation
A
flooding an entire area with water - 70-80% efficient
20
Q
spray irrigation
A
pumping water through spray nozzles - 75-90% efficient
21
Q
drip irrigation
A
slowly dripping hose buried or laid on the surface - over 95% efficient
22
Q
hydroponic agriculture
A
cultivation of crop plants under greenhouse conditions with roots immersed in soil less nutrient-rich solutions.
23
Q
oxygen-demanding waste
A
organic matter that enters a body and feeds the growth of the microbes that are decomposers
24
Q
PCBs
A
polychlorinated biphenyls, a group of industrial compounds that have caused many environmental problems and are carcinogenic
25
PBDEs
used as flame retardants — have been found in organisms and can cause brain damage
26
maximum sustainable yield (MSY)
the max amount that can be harvested without compromising the future availability of that resource
27
National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA)
mandates an environmental assessment of all projects involving federal money or federal permits
28
environmental impact statement (EIS)
outlines the scope and purpose of the project, describes the environmental content, suggests alternative approaches to the project, and analyzes the environmental impact of each alternative
29
zoning
a planning tool developed int he 1920s to separate industry and business from residential neighborhoods and create quieter, safer communities
30
sulfur dioxide
a corrosive gas that comes primarily from combustion of fuels such as coal and oil. respiratory irritant
31
nitrogen oxides
NO: colorless, odorless gas NO2: a pungent, reddish-brown gas. Play a role in forming troposphere ozone and photochemical smog.
32
carbon oxides
CO: colorless odorless gas-result of incomplete combustion CO2: colorless, odorless gas that is formed during complete combustion of fossil fuels and biomass.
33
photochemical oxidants
class of air pollutants formed as a results of sunlight acting on compounds such as nitrogen oxides and sulfur dioxides
34
smog
mixture of oxidants and particulate matter
35
photochemical smog
dominated by oxidants such as ozone (Los Angeles-type smog and brown smog)
36
sulfurous smog
dominated by sulfur dioxide and sulfate compounds sometimes called London-type smog or gray smog
37
volatile organic compounds (VOCs)
organic compounds that become vapors at typical atmospheric temperatures (many are hydrocarbons). can lead to formation of photochemical oxidants that can be harmful
38
chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs)
family of organic compounds whose properties make them ideal for use in refrigeration and air conditions
39
global change
change that occurs in the chemical biological, and physical properties of the planet
40
global climate change
changes in the climate of the earth (natural or anthropogenic climate change)
41
global warming
the warming of the oceans, landmasses, and atmosphere of Earth
42
Natural Sources of Greenhouse Gases
volcanic eruptions: can release significant amounts of PM and CO2 into the atmosphere. effects only last a couple years
methane: produced when there’s not enough oxygen to produce carbon dioxide
nitrous oxide: nitrate can be converted to nitrous oxide gas and released into the atmosphere as a powerful greenhouse gas
water vapor: most abundant greenhouse gas and the greatest natural contributor to global warming
43
Anthropogenic Sources of Greenhouse Gases
fossil fuels: the rate of putting CO2 into the atmosphere is much greater than the rate at which producers are consuming CO2. coal produces the most CO2, oil 85% as much, natural gas 56% as much
agricultural practices: can produce nitrous oxides + methane (livestock)
deforestation: net destruction of vegetation will increase CO2 levels
landfills: contributors of methane (low oxygen areas)
industrial production of new greenhouse chemicals: CFCs are potent greenhouse gases with very high greenhouse warming potentials
44
Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC)
a group of scientists assessing climate change
45
Kyoto Protocol
agreement that stated that global emissions of greenhouse gases from all industrialized countries will be reduced to 5.2% below their 1990 levels by 2012
46
carbon sequestration
taking CO2 out of the atmosphere by storing it in agricultural soils or retiring agricultural land
47
A horizon
a soil horizon; the layer below the O layer is called the A layer. The A layer is formed of weathered rock, with some organic material; often referred to as topsoil.
48
aquifer
an underground layer of porous rock, sand, or other material that allows the movement of water between layers of nonporous rock or clay. Aquifers are frequently tapped for wells.
49
arable
land that's fit to be cultivated
50
asthenosphere
part of the mantle that lies just below the lithosphere
51
barrier island
a long, relatively narrow island running parallel to the mainland-built up by the action of waves and currents and serving to protect the coast from erosion by surf and tidal surges.
52
B horizon
a soil horizon; B receives the minerals and organic materials that are leached out of the A horizon.
53
C horizon
a soil horizon, horizon C is made up of larger pieces of rock that have not undergone much weathering.
54
clay
the finest soil, made up of particles that are less than 0.002 mm in diameter.
55
convection currents
air currents caused by the vertical movement of air due to atmospheric heating and cooling.
56
coral reef
an erosion-resistant marine ridge or mound consisting chiefly of compacted coral together with algal material and biochemically deposited magnesium and calcium carbonates.
57
Coriolis effect
The observed effect of the Coriolis force, especially the deflection of an object moving above the Earth, rightward in the Northern Hemisphere, and leftward in the Southern Hemisphere.
58
crop rotation
the practice of alternating the crops grown on a piece of land - for example, corn one year, legumes for two years, and then back to corn.
59
delta
a usually triangular alluvial deposit at the mouth of a river.
60
doldrums
a region of the ocean near the equator, characterized by calms, light winds, or squalls.
61
El Nino
a climate variation that takes place in the tropical Pacific about every three to seven years, for a duration of about one year.
62
estuary
the part of the wide lower course of a river where its current is met by the tides.
63
Green Revolution
the development and introduction of new varieties of (mainly) wheat and rice that has increased yields per acre dramatically in countries since the 1960s.
64
greenhouse effect
the phenomenon whereby the Earth's atmosphere traps solar radiation, caused by the presence in the atmosphere of gases such as carbon dioxide, water vapor, and methane that allow incoming sunlight to pass through, but absorb heat radiated back from the Earth's surface.
65
Hadley cell
a system of vertical and horizontal air circulation predominating in tropical and subtropical regions and creating major weather patterns.
66
humus
the dark, crumbly, nutrient-rich material that results from the decomposition of organic material.
67
land degradation
when soil becomes water-logged and then dries out, and salt forms a layer on its surface.
68
La Nina
a cooling of the ocean surface off the western coast of South America, occurring periodically every 4 to 12 years and affecting Pacific and other weather patterns.
69
lithosphere
the outer part of the Earth, consisting of the crust and upper mantle, approximately 100 km (62 miles) thick
70
loam
soil composed of a mixture of sand, clay, silt, and organic matter.
71
monoculture
the cultivation of a single crop on a farm or in a region or country; a single, homogeneous culture without diversity or dissension.
72
O horizon
the uppermost horizon of soil. It is primarily made up of organic material, including waste from organisms, the bodies of decomposing organisms, and live organisms.
73
rain shadow
the low-rainfall region that exists on the leeward (downwind) side of a mountain range. This rain shadow is the result of the mountain range's causing precipitation on the windward side.
74
R horizon
The bedrock, which lies below all of the other layers of soil, is referred to as the R horizon.
75
salinization
the process in which soil becomes saltier and saltier until, finally, the salt prevents the growth of plants. Salinization is caused by irrigation because salts brought in with the water remain in the soil as water evaporates.
76
sand
the coarsest soil, with particles 0.05,2.0 mm in diameter.
77
silt
soil with particles 0.002,0.05 mm in diameter.
78
Southern Oscillation
the atmospheric pressure conditions corresponding to the periodic warming of El Nino and cooling of La Nina.
79
thermocline
a layer in a large body of water, such as a lake, that sharply separates regions differing in temperature, so that the temperature gradient across the layer is abrupt.
80
topsoil
the A layer of soil is often referred to as topsoil and is most important for plant growth.
81
trade winds
the more or less constant winds blowing in horizontal directions over the Earth's surface, as part of Hadley cells
82
upwelling
a process in which cold, often nutrient-rich, waters from the ocean depths rise to the surface.
83
watershed
the region draining into river system or other body of water.
84
weather
the day-to-day variations in temperature, air pressure, wind, humidity, and precipitation mediated by the atmosphere in a given region.
85
wetlands
a lowland area, such as a marsh or swamp, that is saturated with moisture, especially when regarded as the natural habitat of wildlife.
86
assimilation
the process in which plants absorb ammonium (NH3), ammonia ions (NH4+), and nitrate ions (NO3) through their roots.
87
bioaccumulation
the accumulation of a substance, such as a toxic chemical, in various tissues of a living organism.
88
biomagnifications
the process by which the concentration of toxic substances increases in each successive link in the food chain.
89
chemotroph (chemoautotroph)
an organism such as a bacterium or protozoan, that obtains its nourishment through the oxidation of inorganic chemical compounds, as opposed to photosynthesis.
90
climax community
a stable, mature community in a successive series that has reached equilibrium after having evolved through stages and adapted to its environment.
91
community
formed from populations of different species occupying the same geographic area.
92
competitive exclusion
the process that occurs when two different species in a region compete and the better adapted species wins.
93
denitrification
process by which specialized bacteria (mostly anaerobic bacteria) convert ammonia to NOy NO2, and N2 and release it back to the atmosphere.
94
ecological succession
transition in species composition of a biological community, often following ecological disturbance of the community; the establishment of a biological community in any area virtually barren of life.
95
edge effect
the condition in which, at ecosystem boundaries, there is greater species diversity and biological density than there is in the heart of ecological communities.
96
Gross Primary Productivity
the amount of sugar that the plants produce in photosynthesis and subtracting from it the amount of energy the plants need for growth maintenance, repair, and reproduction.
97
habitat fragmentation
when the size of an organism's natural habitat is reduced, or when development occurs that isolates a habitat.
98
keystone species
a species whose very presence contributes to an ecosystem's diversity and whose extinction would consequently lead to the extinction of other forms of life.
99
mutualism
a symbiotic relationship in which both species benefit.
100
net Primary Productivity (NPP)
the amount of energy that plants pass on to the community of herbivores in an ecosystem.
101
niche
the total sum of a species' use of the biotic and abiotic resources in its environment.
102
nitrification
the process in which soil bacteria convert ammonium (NH4+) to a form that can be used by plants; nitrate, or NO3.
103
nitrogen fixation
the conversion of atmospheric nitrogen into compounds, such as ammonia, by natural agencies or various industrial processes.
104
parasitism
a symbiotic relationship in which one member is helped by the association and the other is harmed.
105
pioneer species
organisms in the first stages of succession.
106
population
a group of organisms of the same species that live in the same area.
107
primary succession
when ecological succession begins in a virtually lifeless area, such as the area behind a moving glacier.
108
realized niche
when a species occupies a smaller niche than it would in the absence of competition.
109
reservoir
a place where a large quantity of a resource sits for a long period of time.
110
species
organisms that are capable of interbreeding with one another and incapable of breeding with other species.
111
albedo
the fraction of solar energy that is reflected back into space.
112
birth/death rate
the number of live births/deaths per 1,000 members of the population in a year.
113
demographic transition model
a model that's used to predict population trends based on the birth and death rates as well as economic status of a population.
114
ecological footprint
the amount of the Earth's surface that's necessary to supply the needs of, and dispose of the waste from a particular population.
115
genetic drift
the random fluctuations in the frequency of the appearance of a gene in a small isolated population, presumably owing to chance, rather than natural selection.
116
k-selected
organisms that reproduce later in life, produce fewer offspring, and devote significant time and energy to the nurturing of their offspring.
117
logistic population growth
when populations are well below the size dictated by the carrying capacity of the region they live in, they will grow exponentially, but as they approach the carrying capacity, their growth rate will decrease and the size of the population will eventually become stable.
118
replacement birth rate
the number of children a couple must have in order to replace themselves in a population.
119
r-selected
organisms that reproduce early in life and often and have a high capacity for reproductive growth.
120
total fertility rate
the number of children an average woman will bear during her lifetime; this information is based on an analysis of data from preceding years in the population in question
121
agroforestry
when trees and crops are planted together, creating a mutualistic symbiotic relationship between them.
122
Aquaculture
the raising of fish and other aquatic species in captivity for harvest.
123
by-catch
any other species of fish, mammals, or birds that are caught that are not the target organism.
124
clear-cutting
the removal of all of the trees in an area.
125
contour farming
a process in which rows of crops are plowed across the hillside; this prevents the erosion that can occur when rows are cut up and down on a slope.
126
ecosystem capital
the value of natural resources.
127
intercropping (also called strip cropping)
is the practice of planting bands of different crops across a hillside.
128
no-till
refers to when farmers plant seeds without using a plow to turn the soil.
129
old growth forest
one that has never been cut; these forests have not been seriously disturbed for several hundred years.
130
second growth forests
areas where cutting has occurred and a new, younger forest has arisen.
131
selective cutting
the removal of select trees in an area; this leaves the majority of the habitat in place and has less of an impact on the ecosystem.
132
shelter-wood cutting
when mature trees are cut over a period of time (usually10,20 years); this leaves mature trees, which can reseed the forest, in place.
133
silviculture
the management of forest plantations for the purpose of harvesting timber.
134
surface fires
fires that typically burn only the forest's underbrush and do little damage to mature trees. Surface fires actually serve to protect the forest from more harmful fires by removing underbrush and dead materials that would burn quickly and at high temperatures.
135
tailings
piles of gangue, which is the waste material that results from mining.
136
terracing
creating flat platforms in the hillside that provide a level planting surface, which reduces soil runoff from the slope.
137
Uneven-aged management
the broad category under which selective cutting and shelter-wood cutting fall; selective deforestation.
138
anthracite
the cleanest-burning coal; almost pure carbon.
139
bituminous
the second-purest form of coal.
140
adiabatic cooling
When air rises, it cools and expands
141
adiabatic heating
when air sinks the pressure on it increases and it heats up
142
latent heat release
the energy released as water vapor condenses into liquid
143
gyres
ocean surface currents rotate clockwise in the northern hemisphere and counterclockwise in the Southern Hemisphere
Causes temperature changes on land - circulates warm water
144
thermohaline circulation
Mixing of surface water and deep water
145
littoral zone
Shallow area of soil and water where algae grows
146
limnetic zone
rooted plants can't survive
| Floating algae and phytoplankton
147
profundal zone
high in nutrients low in oxygen. area for decomposes
148
benthic zone
Muddy bottom of a lake
149
standing crop
Amount of biomass present in an ecosystem at a particular time
150
species richness
number of species in a particular area
151
density-dependent factors
influence an individual's probability of survival and reproduction in a manner that depends on the size of the population
-food, shelter
152
density-independent factors
Have the same effect on an individuals probability of survival and amount of reproduction at any population size
