BIOL 1001: Chapter 23

global warming

An increase in Earth's average temp over time.

greenhouse gas

Any of the gases in Earth's atmosphere that absorb heat radiated from Earth's surface and contribute to the greenhouse effect; for example, carbon dioxide and methane.

nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), sulfur (S)

Besides carbon, what elements also follow natural cycles?

tropical forest

Biomes characterized by warm temperatures and sufficient rainfall to support the growth of trees. Tropical forests may be deciduous or evergreen, depending on the presence or absence of a dry season.

-electricity -heat -transportation -industry

Burning fossil fuels are used for...

1. Glacial ice cores (measures historical CO2 levels) 2. Directly from the atmosphere/air (e.g., inactive volcano, measures present CO2 levels)

Carbon dioxide (CO2) levels are much higher now than in the past, what are the two main sources of evidence?

taiga

A biome characterized by evergreen trees, with long and cold winters and short summers.

desert

A biome characterized by extreme dryness. Cold deserts experience cold winters and hot summers, while hot desserts are uniformly warm throughout the year.

freshwater (aquatic)

A biome characterized by having a low salt concentration. Fresh-water biomes include ponds and lakes, rivers and streams, and wetlands.

grassland

A biome characterized by perennial grasses and other nonwoody plants. In North America, the prairies are examples of grasslands.

tundra

A biome that occurs in the Arctic and mountain regions. Tundra is characterized by low-growing vegetation and a layer of permafrost (frozen all year long) very close to the surface of the soil.

fossil fuel

A carbon-rich energy source, such as coal, petroleum, or natural gas, formed from the compressed, fossilized remains of once-living organisms.

Carbon footprint

A measure of the total greenhouse gases produced by human activities.

climate change

A persistent pattern of change in Earth's climate.

~40%

Examining data from ancient air bubbles and present-day air measurements, scientists have recorded an _____ increase in atmosphere CO2 levels since 1800.

an earlier and shorter season

For maple syrup producers, global temperature increase correlated with...

the more greenhouse gases, the greater amount of heat trapped from Earth's surfaces

How are global warming and greenhouse related?

They (scientists) take ice core samples that allow measurement of CO2 over hundreds of thousands of years.

How do scientists measure changes in the levels of global atmospheric CO2?

e. all of these answers are correct

Human actions have altered the global carbon cycle by ___________. Select one: a. decreasing the number of photosynthetic organisms b. cutting down large numbers of trees c. inventing the internal combustion engine and burning fossil fuels d. developing and using drilling and mining methods that allow access to previously inaccessible fossil fuel deposits e. all of these answers are correct

Electricity (.33) > transportation (.28) > industry (.20) > commercial & residential (.11) > agriculture (.08)

Put the following in order from largest proportion of greenhouse gas emission to smallest proportion. -agriculture -commercial and residential -electricity -industry -transportation

temperature; effect

Rising levels of greenhouse ______ have led to the enhanced greenhouse ______.

temperate forest

Temperate forests are characterized by moderate winters and rainfall. Trees are mostly evergreen or deciduous, dropping their leaves in winter.

physical

Temperature and moisture are what type of conditions?

Arctic temperatures are increasing; the red fox is expanding its habitat to compete with the Arctic fox.

Temperature is an important physical feature of an ecosystem. What is a correct, direct relationship b/n temperature and organisms in an environment?

greenhouse effect

The normal process by which heat is radiated from Earth's surface and trapped by gases in the atmosphere, helping to maintain Earth at a temperature that can support life.

north

The sugar maple tree is predicted to migrate in which direction b/c of global warming?

marine (aquatic)

This biome covers about 3/4 of the earth and includes the oceans, coral reefs, and estuaries.

True

True or False Ecosystems are dynamic systems.

False; ecosystems are NOT static entities.

True or False Ecosystems are static entities.

False; the biotic and abiotic parts of an ecosystem can and do change.

True or False The biotic and abiotic parts of an ecosystem do not change.

False, carbon cycles and energy flows in a direction through the ecosystem.

True or False The flow of carbon in an ecosystem is similar to the flow of energy in an ecosystem.

earlier flowering dates

What do "increased average spring temperatures" result in?

photosynthesis, respiration, and decomposition

What natural processes are responsible for most carbon cycling?

a. Global warming is the only type of climate change.

Which of the following statements is not a characteristic or effect of climate change? Select one: a. Global warming is the only type of climate change. b. Climate change is beginning to re-draw the map of biomes around the world. c. Climate change is occurring because the biotic and abiotic parts of ecosystems are not static. d. Climate change is any substantial change in climate that lasts for an extended period of time. e. Climate change will likely exceed the ability of many species to adapt and could cause many species to go extinct.

This number represents organisms that will be unable to move to more suitable habitats when global warming causes their current habitats to become unsuitable.

Why are the extinctions of 1,103 organisms predicted to occur due to global warming?

Methane (CH4)

____ is produced by natural processes, such as the decomposition of organic material in swamps by microbes, and agriculture (>.50), including cattle farming and growing rice in paddies.

temperature

_____ is an important physical feature of any ecosystem and serves as a clock that cues many biological events.

Nitrogen (N)

______ is a critical component of the amino acids that make up proteins and the nucleotides of DNA and RNA.

Phosphorus (P)

______ is a critical for the structure of DNA, RNA, ATP, and phospholipids. It is also critical for bones and teeth. Not a major component of gases in the atmosphere.

biome

a large geographic area defined by its characteristic plant life, which in turn is determined by temperature and levels of moisture

global warming

an increase in Earth's average temperature

climate change

any substantial change in climate that lasts for an extended period of time (decades or more)

ecosystem

the living and nonliving components of an environment, including the communities of organisms present and the physical and chemical environment with which they interact.

carbon cycle

the movement of carbon atoms as they cycle between organic molecules and inorganic CO2

habitat

the physical environment where an organism lives and to which it is adapted