Chapter 23: Global Climate Change

1: What are some ways that changing temperatures and changing climate impact ecosystems?

- Climate is not the same as weather. Climate refers to the long-term average of atmospheric conditions. Weather describes local atmospheric conditions over a short interval. - Temperature is an important physical feature of any ecosystem and serves as a clock that cues many biological events, such as breeding, blooming, and hibernation. - Climate change, especially global warming, is having widespread effects on plant and animal life on the planet—altering seasonal life cycles, shifting ranges, and contributing to species loss by extinction

Elaborate upon the primary goal of conservation biology: to understand and counteract the loss of biodiversity.

- establish workable methods for preserving species and their biological communities.

Discuss the issues currently facing the growing human population that are related to the above concepts.

- greater education on our impacts - sex education - contraseption - freedom to have smaller kids fincially

Describe the various sinks and sources of CO2, and explain how human activity is affecting the natural abilities of these reservoirs.

- ocean, soil and forests are the world's largest carbon sinks. - burning of fossil fuels like gas, coal and oil, deforestation and volcanic eruptions. - burning fossil fuels initiates rapid decomposition of organic material, releasing CO2 • deforestation reduces photosynthesis CO2-absorption • excess CO2 absorption by oceans causes acidification

Explain how studying ecology can influence how we understand humanity's impact on the environment, using the pesticide DDT as an example.

- people were not always aware that humans could have significant impact on the environment • DDT was developed as a chemical pesticide in the 1940s - DDT was discovered to have wide-ranging effects, including on birds of prey- made eggs thin - DDT is toxic to a wide range of living organisms, including marine animals such as crayfish, daphnids, sea shrimp and many species of fish. DDT, DDE and DDD magnify through the food chain, with apex predators such as raptor birds concentrating more chemicals than other animals in the same environment

Relate the concepts of ecological footprint, biocapacity, and sustainability to each other

- populations in developing nations continue to grow fast • to support these people, food production must increase • ecological footprint: estimated land and water required to sustain an individual/nation and absorb the waste it produces • biocapacity: Earth's capacity to renew the resources consumed by humans • sustainability: the goal of developing, managing, and conserving Earth's resources to meet the needs of people today and into the future

Discuss the role of the ozone layer and its importance for life on Earth.

- protects Earth from harmful UV radiation

Describe some of the effects of climate change: increased temperatures, sea level rise, extreme weather events, seasonal changes.

- temperatures rise, frozen habitats start to melt - With less sea ice, more solar radiation is absorbed by the (dark) ocean, raising ocean temperature, and more of the relatively warm ocean is exposed to air, raising the air temperature even more. -

Describe the carbon cycle.

1) Carbon dioxide enter the atmosphere through respiration and combustion 2) Carbon dioxide is absorbed by plants to make carbohydrates through photosynthesis 3) Consumers feed on plants passing the carbon compounds along the food chain 4) Most of the carbon consumed is released as carbon dioxide in respiration 5)When organisms die they are eaten by decomposers and the remaining carbon is returned to the atmosphere as carbon dioxide -In some conditions decomposition is blocked; the plant and animal material may then be available as fossil fuel in the future for combustion The movement of carbon atoms through the ecosystem as they cycle between organic molecules and inorganic .

biodiversity hot spot

A relatively small area with numerous endemic species and a large number of endangered and threatened species. - have numerous endemic species (found nowhere else) in a relatively small area • 1.5% of land has 33% of all species

movement corridor

A series of small clumps or a narrow strip of quality habitat (usable by organisms) that connects otherwise isolated patches of quality habitat. - can help link habitat fragments • enhance dispersal, reduce inbreeding • can inadvertently promote spread of diseases

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.

Discuss how climate change is affecting the global distribution of terrestrial biomes.

As climate change shifts species' ranges, it will also alter the distribution of ecosystems and biomes. As the planet warms, species are expected to shift to higher latitudes, tracking favorable climate conditions. Species are largely influenced by their tolerance to temperature and precipitation extremes. - climate change is altering distribution of terrestrial biomes • vegetation changes • desertification • drying soils

invasive species examples

Brown tree snake - Guam rail cane toad

16. Name at least two human activities that increase levels in the atmosphere and two natural processes that contribute to the atmosphere.

Burning fossil fuels (e.g., by driving cars) and eating red meat increase CO2 atmospheric levels. Decomposition increases CO2 levels in the atmosphere, as do forest fires.

Explain how humans are exacerbating the greenhouse effect by superfluous release of various greenhouse gases

CO2 and N2O released when burning fossil fuels • CH4 increased by landfills and agriculture - methane

biocapacity

Earth's capacity to renew the resources consumed by humans • sustainability: the goal of

Explain the three components (levels) of biodiversity.

Ecosystem diversity Species diversity Genetic diversity

landscape (and landscape ecology)

Landscape Ecology: application of ecology to study the structure and dynamics of interacting ecosystems - focuses on the exchanges of energy, materials, and organisms across multiple ecosystems Landscape: regional assemblage of interacting ecosystems

10. If global warming causes Arctic sea ice to melt, what will be the effect on sea levels in a low-lying region like Miami? If large parts of the Antarctic polar ice cap should melt, what would be the effect on sea level?

Melting sea ice will not change sea levels. In contrast, melting ice caps will cause a rise in sea levels, putting low-lying cities such as Miami at risk of flooding.

9.Could we live in the absence of the greenhouse effect? Explain your answer.

No. The greenhouse effect helps trap heat in the environment. In the absence of the greenhouse effect, the temperature of the planet would be too cold to support life as we know it.

biological magnification (biomagnification)

Observing increasing concentrations of a harmful substance in organisms at higher trophic levels in a food chain or web. (Bioamplification) - concentrates pollutants in higher trophic levels

2. List several examples of species discussed in this chapter that have changed their geographic distributions or the timing of events in their life cycles as a result of global climate change.

Plants are flowering earlier in the spring; early flowering reduces the survival of young roe deer. Bark beetle larvae are able to survive warmer winters, and bark beetles have extended their northern range as those regions have warmed. Polar bears are facing starvation because of melting sea ice.

3.Describe three ways in which temperature changes and drought contribute to an increase in wild fires in Mountain West conifer forests.

Possible answers: - Trees produce less sap during droughts. With less sap, trees can't protect themselves from bark beetles, so more trees die. Dead trees provide fuel for fires. - More bark beetles survive the warmer winters, leading to more-severe infestations of trees. Dead trees provide fuel for fires. - Drier conditions associated with drought make fires more likely.

endemic species

Species that is found in only one area. Such species are especially vulnerable to extinction.

biodiversity

The amount of biological or living diversity per unit area. It includes the concepts of species diversity, habitat diversity and genetic diversity.

Explain the global trends in climate change that have been happening over the past century

The average temperature has significantly increased and extreme dips. this is from greenhouse gases in our atmosphere

Species diversity

The number and relative abundance of species in a biological community. - loss of ecosystems results in loss of populations • extirpation: loss of a single population • extinction: loss of all populations (an entire species) - loss of keystone species • Endangered Species Act • implications for biomedical development

Genetic diversity

The range of genetic material present in a gene pool or population of a species. - genetic diversity drives microevolution and adaptation • importance for agriculture and "bioprospecting- search for plant and animal species from which medicinal drugs,

15. Fill in the blanks in the diagram below.

Using fossil fuels for energy converts organic carbon to CO2. Most organisms, including plants, animals, and decomposers, perform cellular respiration, producing CO2 from organic food. CO2 is released to the atmosphere. CO2 is absorbed by the oceans. Plants perform photosynthesis, fixing CO2 into organic molecules. Coal and oil are fossil fuels, which trap carbon below the surface.

Describe the Yellowstone to Yukon Conservation Initiative (Y2Y), including its goals and current status.

Yellowstone to Yukon Conservation Initiative (Y2Y) preserves large network of 700 protected areas • spans 3,200 km (1.3 million km2), with only 10% of land protected • ensures species can move to higher latitudes and altitudes while facing effects of climate change

Describe what phenotypic plasticity is, and explain how this plasticity may allow some organisms to adapt to the effects of climate change.

ability of an individual (1 genotype) to change phenotype in response to local environmental conditions

phenotypic plasticity

ability of an individual (1 genotype) to change phenotype in response to local environmental conditions

Briefly describe who Rachel Carson was and discuss her impact on the field of ecology and environmental science.

author of Silent Spring (1962) which was a new public awareness that nature was vulnerable to human intervention. - mainly argued that pesticides have an adverse effect on our environment. DDT - American marine biologist, writer, and conservationist whose influential book Silent Spring and other writings are credited with advancing the global environmental movement.

Explain the concept of biomagnification (biological magnification) and why this is such a concern for human health.

can affect all animals, including humans, although toxins tend to be more concentrated at higher levels of the food chain. - toxins stick to tissue (don't excrete) - humans can consume toxic levels

7. Which greenhouse gas is emitted every time you breathe out?

carbon dioxide

climate change (global warming)

climate change: Any substantial change in climate that lasts for an extended period of time (decades or more). global warming: a contributor to climate change- An increase in Earth's average temperature

Explain that most species do not recognize human-created borders and why this has important implications for the conservation of many populations.

dealing with many jurisdictions (states, countries, etc - Yellowstone to Yukon Conservation Initiative (Y2Y) preserves large network

sustainable development

emphasizes using resources without jeopardizing future generations

Overharvesting examples

encourages extinction rhino elephant tusks passenger pigions buffalo

11. Explain how each of the following contributes to an elevation of levels of greenhouse gases.

engaging in large-scale slash-and-burn agriculture driving gasoline-fueled cars producing cattle for beef and dairy products producing rice

ecological footprint

estimated land and water required to sustain an individual/nation and absorb the waste it produces

Describe the difference between extirpation and extinction.

extinction refers to the process through which organisms or a group of organisms (normally a species) cease to exist. Extirpation is the local extinction of an organism or species, where it/they cease to exist in a particular area but continue to exist elsewhere.

Discuss the current trends in ecosystem conservation: how are human activities affecting ecosystems?

genetic diversity drives microevolution and adaptation • importance for agriculture and "bioprospecting

18. Describe the evidence that increasing levels of greenhouse gases are responsible for global climate change. What if someone suggested to you that global climate change is due to increased intensity of solar radiation (that is, the amount of sunlight reaching Earth)? What evidence would you ask for in support of this hypothesis?

glacier ice core and scientists have directly measured CO2 in the atmosphere - has been rising steadily since the industrial revolution - The Sun can influence Earth's climate, but it isn't responsible for the warming trend we've seen over recent decades. - warming we've seen in recent decades is too rapid to be linked to changes in Earth's orbit and too large to be caused by solar activity. - since 1978, scientists have been tracking this using sensors on satellites, which tell us that there has been no upward trend in the amount of solar energy reaching our planet.

conservation biology

goal-oriented (value-laden) and seeks to understand and counteract the loss of biodiversity - understand population/species/ecosystem to better manage it

Describe how captive breeding efforts may help bolster some endangered populations/species.

good breeding candidates have short generation times, reproduce readily, high genetic diversity, and have suitable habitat for reintroduction

Describe examples of habitat loss, invasive species, overharvesting and pollution, and further describe their relative threats to biodiversity.

habitat loss examples: • agriculture, urban development, forestry, mining, pollution single greatest threat to biodiversity

Describe what a landscape is and why conserving landscapes is a priority of conservation biology

landscape is the regional assemblage of interacting ecosystems - landscape ecology: application of ecology to study the structure and dynamics of interacting ecosystems - habitat loss can lead to population fragmentation (isolation), and so conservation of whole landscapes is often necessary

extirpation

loss of a single population

extinction

loss of all populations (an entire species)

8. Which of the following organisms contributes to reducing atmospheric levels?

maple trees most algae

14. Fossil fuels are most immediately derived from

organic molecules.

invasive species

plants and animals that have migrated to places where they are not native - disrupt communities through competition, predation, and parasitism

Discuss why genetic diversity is important in changing environments.

serves as a way for populations to adapt to changing environments. With more variation, it is more likely that some individuals in a population will possess variations of alleles that are suited for the environment. Those individuals are more likely to survive to produce offspring bearing that allele. - drives microevolution and adaptation

Explain the concept of sustainable development and the role of ecology in helping to achieve this goal.

sustainable development emphasizes using resources without jeopardizing future generations - Sustainable Biosphere Initiative (by ESA): acquire basic ecological information necessary to sustainably manage Earth's resources

13. Plants like maple trees _______________ CO2 by ___________________

take up; photosynthesis

sustainability

the goal of developing, managing, and conserving Earth's resources to meet the needs of people today and into the future

Describe what phenology is, and explain how processes such as pollination and migration can be affected by climate change

the study of cyclic life events and how these are influenced by climate and seasonal changes - mismatch between temperature and daylength disrupts interspecies interactions - shifting growing and blooming seasons and potentially weakening the plant populations that pollinators depend on. Additionally, warmer temperatures have altered migration patterns, affecting pollinator species like butterflies.

Discuss the challenges associated with protecting habitats of migratory species

they don't reside in one area susceptible to habitat destruction.

Ecosystem diversity

variety of habitats, communities, and ecological processes in the biosphere - • intact terrestrial ecosystems are lost to agriculture and development • 20% of reefs destroyed by humans • losing ecosystem services

Describe the factors that make wildfires more prevalent in the midst of climate change.

warmer springs, longer summer dry seasons, and drier soils and vegetation - the higher amount of carbon dioxide in the air helps plants grow, resulting in more vegetation to fuel blazes increased prevalence of wildfires • earlier snowmelts result in longer dry seasons • droughts cause trees to be vulnerable to pathogens and parasites, causing them to dry and become kindling

Describe what coral bleaching is, how it can be caused by climate change, and its negative effects.

warming ocean temperatures cause coral bleaching, reducing species diversity

Provide examples of phenotypic plasticity that has occurred in species that are adapting to climate change.

water fleas

Discuss the potential benefits and risks associated with human-created movement corridors.

• enhance dispersal, reduce inbreeding • can inadvertently promote spread of diseases