Plants Test 2

Endangered Species

A species that is in danger of extinction throughout all or much of its range

Extant

A term describing a species that is not extinct

Extinct

A term that describes a species that no longer has any known living individuals

Herbicide Resistance

Ability to withstand herbicide exposure

Acid Mine Drainage

Acidic water reducing biodiversity, treated with lime

Fish Ladders

Aid salmon migration past dams

Ecosystem

All organisms and abiotic factors in an area

Global Change

Alteration in global systems like climate and pollution

Earth Day

Annual event promoting environmental awareness, first held in 1970

Aldo Leopold

Author of 'A Sand County Almanac,' emphasized ethical land management

George Perkins Marsh

Author of 'Man and Nature,' highlighted the relationship between humans and the environment

Rachel Carson

Author of 'Silent Spring,' led to the ban of DDT and modern environmentalism

Deforestation

Clearing natural forests for various purposes by logging or burning

Gleaning

Collecting leftover wheat heads after harvesting

Conservation Biologists

Concerned with species loss and biodiversity preservation

Preserving Biodiversity Hot Spots

Conserving regions with high species diversity

Nutrient Enhancement

Increase in nutritional value

Why are trophic levels limited to roughly 4-5?

It's not efficient enough for there to be more and still pass down a good amount of energy

Mitigation

Key solutions to reduce environmental impact

Habitat Alteration

Land use change impacting local ecosystems

Forest Definition

Large tree-covered area with an understory

Seed Patents

Legal rights to genetically modified seed lines

Threatened Species

Likely to become endangered in the foreseeable future

Energy flow

Movement of energy through an ecosystem

Agriculture and Nitrogen Cycling

-Nitrogen is the main nutrient lost through agriculture -Industrially produced fertilizer is used to replace lost nitrogen

Objective II: Plant diversity is urgently and effectively conserved

-We need to not over consume plants -We need to set aside an area, and be able to watch them

Non-renewable

-a resource that cannot be reused or replaced easily -(ex. gems, iron, copper, fossil fuels)

Fossil fuels

-hydrocarbon-containing material formed underground from the remains of dead plants and animals that humans extract and burn to release energy for use -Ex: coal -Trees are not fossil fuels

Instrumental Value

-the value that something has as a means to a desired or valued end -Conditional value

Laws of Thermodynamics

1) Energy cannot be created or destroyed 2) Every exchange of energy increases the entropy of the universe (as energy is converted, some of it is lost to heat)

3 Pillars of Sustainability

1) Society 2) Economics 3) Environment

Effective Population Size

Breeding potential-based population estimate - Ne= 4Nf Nm/Nf+Nm -

Crispr Cas9

Genome editing tool for precise gene modifications

Invasive Species

Harmful species entering and multiplying in new ecosystems

Petroleum Production

High production in the U.S.

Sustainable Yield

Highest rate at which a renewable resource can be used indefinitely without reducing its available supply

Overharvesting

Human harvesting exceeding population rebound ability

Fragmentation and Edges

Impact of ecosystem boundaries on species distribution

Coal Strip Mining

Simultaneous removal of layers to expose coal

Systematist

Someone who studies biodiversity

Snags

Standing dead trees

Locavore

Supports local food movements for economic and ecological benefits

Clean Coal

Technology where we take all the CO2 and sulfur and put it somewhere underground that is not in the atmosphere

Genetic Diversity

The amount of variation in the genetic material within all members of a species

Objective III: Plant diversity is used in a sustainable and equitable manner

-We need to not over consume plants

Sustainability Advocates

Future employees and environmentally conscious individuals

Decomposers

- = Detritivores that play a key role in chemical cycling - Rate of decomposition is controlled by temperature, moisture, and nutrient availability

GMO

Genetically modified organism with altered genetic material

Transcendentalism

-19th-century school of American theological and philosophical thought that combined respect for nature and self-sufficiency with elements of Unitarianism and German Romanticism -Means to rise above society and technology -Shift from anthropocentrism to ecocentrism

Anthropocene

-6th mass extinction event that is caused by humans

Green Revolution

-Agricultural changes in the mid-20th century to increase crop yields -Genetically modified crops

Environmental problems we currently face:

-Air and water pollution -biodiversity depletion -climate change -Waste production -Environmental discrimination -Food supply

Cons of Hydropower

-Altering natural conditions -Destruction of habitats -Water quality degradation -Relocation of many people -Hydropower is vulnerable to droughts -War for water in the future

Mineral

-Any hard, usually crystalline material that is formed naturally

Henry David Thoreau

-Author of 'Walden,' emphasized experiencing true self and living simply - Wanted to live "sturdily" and "Spartan-like"

Weighing Conflicting Demands

-Balancing habitat needs of species and human demands -Ex: hanging dead wolves so other wolves don't come and kill sheep

Deforestation Causes

-Biggest cause is agriculture -Farmers need more room -A lot of CO2 emissions

Fossil fuels are formed by:

-Buildup of dirt and organic material, heat and pressure over millions of years turns the dead plants into coal -The amount of pressure and heat determines whether a fossil fuel is going to become oil or coal

Clear Cutting

-Complete removal of trees in an area -loss of soil, soil nutrients, and water

Philosophy of Nature Reserves

-Concept of reserves as biodiversity havens -biodiversity islands in a sea of habitat altered or degraded by human activity

Pros of Solar Radiation

-Cost per energy unit is zero after one-time investment -Solar energy is a renewable energy source -Most effective power source for remote areas -Installation on rooftops is quite space-efficient

Species Extinction

-Edge effects can change microclimates which effect endemic species (native species which can only live in specific conditions

Coal

-Energy stored by ancient plants in swampy forests -High amount of carbon -Been getting cheaper (need for coal has decreased)

Industrial Revolution

-Era of machine-based manufacturing -Machines ran on coal and timber

Ralph Waldo Emerson

-Father of transcendentalism, believed truth was found in nature -He saw nature as self and god, going against the idea of nature as a commodity

Carbon Cycle

-Flow of carbon through living and non-living components -CO2 is taken up and released through photosynthesis and respiration; additionally, volcanoes and the burning of fossil fuels contribute CO2 to the atmosphere

Domestication of Plants

-Genetic changes in plant populations due to human cultivation -Plants hold on to fruits -Ex: wheat

Gene Escape

-Genetic material spreading beyond intended -Horizontal gene flow

Habitat Fragmentation

-Happens when trees are cut down in sections leaving more edge space -Disturbing an animals habitat which forces them to enter habitats that are occupied -Territorial conflicts

Hedonia

-Happiness derived from pleasure -Party life

Eudaimonia

-Happiness derived from virtue and meaning -Long term goals

How does temp affect litter decomposition in an ecosystem?

-Higher temp means more mass is lost (temp controls it) -Positive relationship

Flint Water Crisis

-Highlighted environmental injustice and disproportionate contamination -Environmental racism: people of color live closer to toxic facilities more so on average

Anthropocentrism

-Human-centered view of nature -Nature was something to be conquered and its purpose is to produce commodities for humans -Ex: Redwood trees -Ex: passenger pigeons- hunted to extinction

Cons of Solar Radiation

-Initial production of solar panels implies significant pollution -High upfront costs of solar panels -Solar energy storages can be expensive -Sun energy cannot be generated at night -Solar farms need large areas of land -Some resources needed for the production of solar power are quite scarce

Shinrin-Yoku

-Japanese practice of 'forest bathing' -Lower heart rate and blood pressure -Increases energy levels

Linnean Shortfall

-Most of the species on Earth have not been described and cataloged -50% are threatened -Invertebrates are the most diverse group

Water Cycle

-Movement of water through evaporation, transpiration, condensation, and precipitation -97% is contained in the oceans -2% is in glaciers -1% is in lakes, rivers, and groundwater

5 Objectives for Plant Conservation

-Objective I: Plant diversity is well understood, documented and recognized -Objective II: Plant diversity is urgently and effectively conserved -Objective III: Plant diversity is used in a sustainable and equitable manner -Objective IV: Education and awareness about plant diversity, its role in sustainable livelihoods and importance to all life on earth is promoted -Objective V: The capacities and public engagement necessary to implement the Strategy have been developed

Renewable Resources

-On a human time scale and can be replenished rapidly (e.g. hours to several decades) -Ex: corn or stuff you can plant

Perpetual Resources

-On a human time scale are continuous -Ex: Solar energy; wind

Organic vs Conventional Agriculture

-Organic farming uses more land because each crops needs more space for nutrients -Health benefit is not clear for organic over conventional

Trophic Efficiency

-Percentage of production transferred between trophic levels -Avg. around 10%

Phosphorus Cycle

-Phosphorus is a major constituent of nucleic acids, phospholipids, and ATP -The largest reservoirs are sedimentary rocks of marine origin, the oceans, and organisms

Benefits of Species and Genetic Diversity

-Practical benefits of diverse species and genetics for humans -Rosy periwinkle contains alkaloids that inhibit cancer growth -Aspirin comes from salix alba

Law Conservation of Mass

-Principle that mass cannot be created or destroyed -we cannot destroy carbon, if it isn't in the ground it is in the air -Atmosphere has a small amount of carbon -Marine sediments and rocks have the most carbon

Photosynthesis

-Process converting solar energy into sugar -Water and carbon dioxide go in, sugar and oxygen come out

Nitrogen Cycle

-Process of nitrogen conversion and utilization -Main reservoir of nitrogen (N2) is in the atmosphere - Must be converted to ammonium (NH4+) or Nitrate (NO3-) for plants via nitrogen fixation - Denitrification converts NO3- back to N2

Oxygen Cycle

-Process of oxygen production and distribution -Most oxygen is stored in the oxide minerals of the Earth's crust called the lithosphere

Zoned Reserves

-Protected areas with buffer zones to prevent harm -Costa Rica has become a world leader in establishing zoned reserves

First Conservation Effort

-Published in 1882 by John Evelyn

Acid Precipitation

-Rain with increased acidity due to fossil fuels -Changes soil pH and causes leaching of calcium and other nutrients

Pros of Hydropower

-Renewable and sustainable -Domestic power source

Hubbard Brook Experimental Forest

-Research team constructed a dam on the site to monitor loss of water and minerals (nutrient cycling)

Golden Rice

-Rice fortified with Vitamin A gene -Gene from a daffodil

Objective V: The capacities and public engagement necessary to implement the Strategy have been developed

-Society needs to engage in the problem

Division of Labor

-Specialization of tasks among individuals to increase efficiency -Many famous people could not have done what they contributed without this Ex: Beethoven

Spices

-Strongly flavored parts of plants, usually rich in essential oils, usually roots, bark, seeds, fruits, or buds

Introduced species

-Those that humans move form native locations to new geographic regions, either intentionally or by accident Ex: Kudzu

Joule (J)

-Unit of energy -About 1/6 of a plants energy is converted into secondary production -Plant material eaten by a caterpillar is not efficient - Half the joules leave in the feces

Intrinsic Value

-Value an entity has in itself, independent of external factors -Unconditional value

Palm Oil

-Versatile crop used in food, fuel, and products, with significant environmental impact -One of the largest economic crops -Huge impact on orangutans

Objective I: Plant diversity is well understood, documented and recognized

-We need to know what plants are out there

Objective IV: Education and awareness about plant diversity, its role in sustainable livelihoods and importance to all life on earth is promoted

-We need to learn why plants are important

Cultivation

Continuous management of "wild resources" -Earliest developing: rice, rye, emmer wheat

Roundup Ready Corn

Corn resistant to specific herbicide so that only weeds die around it

Establishing Protected Areas

Creating zones to protect habitats and species

Tree Importance

Critical role in flood prevention

Paper Production Impact

Deforestation's link to paper manufacturing

Soil Erosion

Degradation of soil quality

Frederick Law Olmstead

Designer of Central Park, promoted preserving natural spaces for public access

Systematics goal

Document species before they go extinct to preserve our ability to study organisms

Landscape and Regional Conservation

Efforts to sustain biodiversity at larger scales

Happiness

Emotional state of joy, satisfaction, contentment, and fulfillment

Increased Yield

Enhanced crop productivity

John Muir

Environmentalist who fought to preserve western forests, inspired by Emerson

Bees' Role

Example of horizontal gene flow in nature

Conservation Biology

Field integrating various sciences to conserve biodiversity

Gifford Pinchot

First head of U.S. Forest Service, advocated for sustainable commercial use of natural resources -Conservation: conserve this resource while we use it

Declining-Population Approach

Focus on declining threatened populations to identify causes

Species Diversity

Number of different species in the biosphere or in a particular region

Conservation Groups

Organizations like National Audubon Society and Sierra Club dedicated to environmental preservation

Ex situ

Outside place of origin

Ginseng

Overharvested plant with medicinal benefits

Public Gardens and Arboreta

Places for in situ and ex situ plant conservation

Genetically Modified Crops

Plants modified for improved traits like pest resistance or yield

Corporate Farming Favoritism

Preference for large-scale agricultural operations

Preservation vs Conservation

Preservation maintains areas as they are, while conservation manages resources sustainably for long-term commercial use

Illegal Seed Replanting

Prohibition of reusing patented seeds by farmers

Exponential growth

Rapid increase in human population

Chemical cycling

Recycling of chemicals within ecosystems

Pesticide Elimination

Removal of harmful chemicals

Microendemic

Restricted to a small area (usually a single small population)

Endemic

Restricted to an area

Food Price Inflation

Rise in cost of food products

Science and Environmentalism

Scientific movement studying environmental effects and pollution

Forest Therapy

Therapeutic benefits of spending time in forests

Biodiversity

Total variety of plants and animals in an area

Mining Spoil

Toxic extra material from strip mining

Horizontal Gene Flow

Transfer of genes between unrelated species

Biodiversity and Human Welfare

Value of biodiversity for human well-being

Ecosystem Diversity

Variety of habitats and ecological processes

In situ

Within the place of origin

Global Energy Budget

amount of solar radiation reaching Earth's surface limits the photosynthetic output of ecosystems

Treefall gap

distinguishable hole in a forest with vertical sides extending through all levels down to an average height of 2 m (6.6 ft) above ground

Herbs

leaves of nonwoody plants

Environmental Sustainability

responsibly interacting with the planet to maintain natural resources and avoid jeopardizing the ability for future generations to meet their needs

Minimum Viable Population Size

the minimum population size at which a species can survive

Selective Logging

the practice of removing few trees and leaving the rest of the forest intact