g4 Flashcards
(22 cards)
What are the two main global factors influencing the biosphere?
1) Amount of solar radiation, (2) Patterns of atmospheric and oceanic circulation.
What happens to solar energy as it reaches Earth?
About half is absorbed by the atmosphere; UV-B is strongly absorbed by the ozone layer.
What is the angle of incidence?
The angle at which sunlight strikes Earth; affects climate by determining energy received.
How does Earth’s orbit affect climate?
It causes the seasons through its tilt and revolution around the sun
What is the Coriolis effect?
Earth’s rotation causes winds to curve right in the Northern Hemisphere and left in the Southern Hemisphere.
What is a rain shadow?
A dry area on the leeward side of a mountain where less rain falls.
How does elevation affect temperature?
Temperature falls about 6°C for every 1,000 meters of elevation gain.
What are microclimates?
Small, localized climate conditions different from the surrounding area.
What defines a biome?
Major terrestrial ecosystems characterized by distinct vegetation and climate.
What percentage of species known to science are now extinct?
Over 99%.
What is causing the current biodiversity crisis?
Rapid species extinction mainly due to human activities.
Why are island species especially vulnerable to extinction?
They evolved without predators and have small, isolated populations.
Why is the current mass extinction particularly concerning?
Recovery could take millions of years and humans are consuming key resources.
What human activities cause habitat loss?
Agriculture, development, water diversion, and ocean trawling.
What are the three “rules” predicting species loss during habitat destruction?
(1) Body Size Rule, (2) Home Range Rule, (3) Trophic Rule.
What is the Body Size Rule?
Larger species are lost first when habitat shrinks.
What is the Home Range Rule?
Species needing large home ranges disappear first.
What is the Trophic Rule?
Higher-level predators are lost first.
What ecological event increased Lyme disease cases?
Habitat destruction led to more disease reservoirs (mice) and fewer predators.
What organism primarily transmits Lyme disease?
Blacklegged ticks (Deer ticks).
Why did Lyme disease cases increase after deforestation?
Loss of predators allowed mouse populations (reservoirs for the bacteria) to grow.
How long has Borrelia burgdorferi existed in North America?
At least 60000 years
