8- Plant ecology PT 2

Deforestation = double increases CO2 in air. Why? How?

--it helps increase the Co2 in the atmosphere by double! (double whammy) -cutting trees and then burning it (bring more CO2 into atmosphere) -trees are carbon sinks (taking in CO2 and putting it into its trunk and locking it in there.. don't bring it to the cycle) -----aka helped keep some CO2 from the atmosphere. --It also help cause the CO2 fertilization of plants.. bc this double whammy creates double the CO2!!!!!!!

what makes up most of the water?

-98% of water in oceans, rivers, lakes.

Where is the water cycle?

-98% of water in oceans, rivers, lakes. -Remaining water in living organisms, glaciers, polar ice, water vapor and soil. -When it rains, 1. Rainfall can seep/ infiltrate down through soil to water table 1A.-it can get into underwater streams or 1B. it can into aquifers deep. --wells are how you grab that water or 2. while water is evaporated from bodies of water and is transpired by plants. -Water vapor rises into atmosphere, condenses, and falls back to earth in the form of rain, snow and hail.

How is coal made?

-Coal: Made when dead organic matter (organisms or plants) are compressed -some carbon gets locks down in the soil. -when animals die and they don't get fully decomposed, they got compressed underground. Many layers of sediment were laid on top and all of the dead organic matter got converted into coal. (this happened million of years ago. )

Why is an increase of CO2 in the oceans a bad thing?

-Oceans become more acid, making shelled organisms vulnerable. (it breaks their ability to make their shells bc of the composition of is and its sensitivity to pH) -affects coral bc corals are sensitive to change in pH -if affects a lot of marine life.

what is the effect of urbanization/ change the landscape (by paving roads/building houses)

-any rain that falls in the houses/ buildings built would runoff and have a smaller area where the rain can infiltrate (get in the soil) OR it increases the force as it runsoff (it increases erosion) The more buildings/houses are built , the more surface runoff there is bc less infiltrations bc there are roads, houses, etc around. (these things cover the ground and doesn't allow the water to infiltrate the ground and go deep/ regenerate aquafors) -There is less transpiration (that would allow the water to go that way also and help) -increases erosion capabilities and water problems. -There is flooding.

why do some plant species, particularly legumes, garbanzo beans, etc. have high protein?

-bc they have the nodules that house the nitrogen fixing bacteria. -this provides them with a lot of nitrogen in forms that they can actually use. -nitrogen in plants and other organisms are found in proteins in their body. sooo, more nitrogen= more proteins in their body.

what is intensive cattle production?

-cattle is produced by putting the cows in feed lots the whole day. -so, cows are put in a tight space and feed grains. -they are not able to have all cows in the field and do it a more chill way because it would not meet the demand! -it wouldn't produce enough cattle. -they produce a lot of methane

nitrogen deposition is resulted from _____ -why is it bad?

-caused by acid rain. -bad bc it affects soil acidity and it increases Nitrogen levels !

how does clearing a forest affect runoff? how does it affect evapotranspiration

-clearing increases runoff. -it decreases evapotranspiration (where trees actually pull water up that has infiltrating to the ground and releases it up in the air.) -so, runoff brings more water to the area and the evapotranspiration decreases so, trees aren't able to help pull the water up the ground and release it up bc there are less trees in area (bc being cleared.) -

what are examples of organic fertilizers?

-cow manoor -chicken poop

How does gas and oil come about to being underground?

-dead organic matter got compressed over million years ago and it got converted into oil and gas.. -this is what gas and oil is made out of.

which human influence in the carbon cycle affect the CO2 fertilization of plants more?

-deforestation!!! -bc its a double whammy

What is the correlation between lightning and nitrogen?

-every time lightning strikes an area, this converts the nitrogen in the atmosphere into a usable forms of nitrogen. -this is another natural way of converting nitrogen into usable forms. -we use this information when we make synthetic fertilizers. -we use a lot of electricity to convert into gas into usable forms.

so, we know that plants get their nitrogen bc they absorb it through the roots. Nitrogen is in the soil in the form of inorganic compounds and ions. how does nitrogen actually get in that soil?

-in the soil there are nitrogen fixing bacteria that grab nitrogen in the air and convert it into ammonia and another nitrogenous compounds. -these are the compounds that plants take up via roots. -Some plant species, particularly legumes, produce root nodules in which these bacteria multiply. (this is an example of mutualism)

Co2 is in the atmosphere so it's a _______cycle

-its a global cycle. -so, the CO2 that is emited by places in the earth not near (ex: Russia) us still affect us. (ex: USA) -ex: Russia emitting a lot of CO2 affects all of the world and not only Russia.

what is hardpan soil?

-its a layer (the most upper layer) that is hard and doesn't let water seep through! -bad for farming and it can cause runoff.

What is a "Plant hardiness zone Map"??

-its a map that shows patterns of temperature changes in the US - this guides people to know how each state has changed what plants can grow in a certain area. ex: the plants that prefer cooler temperatures that used to survive in ATL do not longer survive there bc its too hot!!! They now grow in areas more up like in the mountains where its cooler.

what is CO2 fertilization in plants?

-its when there is so much CO2 in the environment -this may be good for some plants (only the C3 ones) bc it increases their growth. -C4 plants (grasses and agricultural products) don't respond to higher CO2 levels in the environemnt!!!

What are C4 plants?

-many grasses, agricultural proudcts like corn, wheat, sugar cane, maize make 4-carbon compound during carbon fixation

What is succession?

-natural

what is the "New Normal"?

-the new normal is represented by the 2020 plant hardiness map -its a map that shows how each state has changed what plants can grow in a certain area. -it shows what is the normal climate now and what plants can be grown in these areas due to the new climate and how much it changes.

How do we help solve the problem of earth heating up due to all of these gases we put in it/ all the things we do?

-the solutions are complex -we can do the small things like eat less meat, etc. -but were still have a growing population that need these resources (heat for their house, they would need food, they would travel and use resources, etc.) -----so, solutions aren't that simple!! it would be hard! -Good solution: BIOFUELS!!!!! (alternative renewable ways of making fuels! )

how do plants take up nitrogen? Is nitrogen one of the gases they need?

-they don't take in in via the air because even if there is a lot of nitrogen in the air, they don't absorb/process nitrogen via air.... (its like humans!!) -they take in most of their nitrogen supply via their roots!! ---nitrogen can be found in the soil in a form of inorganic compounds and ions. yes they need it!

How do trees alter the amount of CO2 that we have?

-trees take in CO2 (so, less trees=less ability for them to take it in) -after trees are cut they are burnt and release carbon into atmosphere -fallen trees/crops being broken down by bacteria release CO2.

what are somethings that we can do to help the nitrogen cycle?

-using fertilizers more carefully!!!! -bc using too much fertilizer can cause fertilizer runoff.. can cause huge problems in coastal communities bc it causes algal blooms (bc it can runoff into lakes and streams) -using natural fertilizers that can release the nitrogen more slowly -using fertilizers more sparingly

deep infiltration

-water that will percolate through the soil and eventually recharge aquifers and groundwater sources.

The fumes from our cars & industries contain nitrous oxide.. what happens?

-when released from the cars, the nitrous oxide goes up into the atmosphere and then combines with water in the atmosphere. -it combines and falls down as nitric acid. This is called Acid Rain. -This is bad bc it caused nitrate deposition.

Why is acid rain bad?

1) Directly destroys photosynthetic structures 2) Kills certain essential soil microorganisms 3) Damages roots 4) Leaching of soil nutrients 5) Increase of sensitivity to disease that leads to death

How is the Water cycle disrupted by humans?

1. Aquifer depletion 2. creation of reservoirs -we create lakes and ponds where they were naturally none 3. irrigation -we take water from miles away and use it to irrigate fields and crops that aren't normally in an area that would give that much water 4. global warming -affecting where rain is falling and higher rates of transpiration (which makes areas warmer and drier)

How do human influence the Carbon cycle?

1. Burning of Fossil Fuels. •Higher CO2 Emissions = Global Climate Change 2. Agriculture ~19% of global greenhouse gas emissions •Intensive cattle production = more methane (CH4) -cattle is put in feed lots (a lot of cows put all tight together and feed grains. They fart methane (bc they have bacteria in their gut that breaks grain and grass for them) 3. Deforestation -it helps increase the Co2 in the atmosphere by double! (double whammy) -cutting trees and then burning it (bring more CO2 into atmosphere) -trees are carbon sinks (taking in CO2 and putting it into its trunk and locking it in there.. don't bring it to the cycle) -----aka helped keep some CO2 from the atmosphere. 4. CO2 Fertilization of Plants -plants take in CO2 and they grow better. •Increased plant growth 5. Co2 being higher in the atmosphere leads to the Co2 being higher in the ocean. -it lowers the pH and makes it more ACIDIC!!! -this affects coral, animals that have shells and many other marine animals.

explain the process of cows producing methane.

1. Cattle can't digest and get nutrients from the cellulose from grain and grass that they consume.. they rely on bacteria in their gut that breaks down cellulose -this helps the cow get the nutrients they need. 2. The bacteria produces methane which the car farts -this methane causes a huge greenhouse effect.

Carbon can enter the atmopshere in different forms. What are they?

1. Co2 2. Methane

What are the steps in the carbon cycle:

1. Co2 is in the atmosphere 2. The Co2 in the atmosphere gets taken in by the plants (and they fix the Carbon) and then animals and humans eat those plants 3. When the animals die, they release Co2 and methane into the atmosphere and when they respire (breathe) they release CO2 also. 4.

how does nitrogen seep out of the soil? what do we do to fix this?

1. Large amounts of nitrogen leach out of soil by erosion of topsoil. To reduce that we add nitrogen in the form of fertilizer. ---we need a lot of energy to make these

what are different ways nitrogen is taken in by organisms?

1. The Nitrogen in the air unavailable to plant and animals. (air is not the way they convert nitrogen into something usable) -when we breathe, 78% of that is nitrogen but we are unable to get convert it into anything via breathing or use it for anything when we breathe it in so, we breathe it out. -we don't absorb it by breathing it in Plants they take it up via roots bc nitrogen is in the form of inorganic compounds and ions in the soil. 2. Organisms eat plants which had nitrogen so, they get it via that, 3. Animals (if secondary or tertiary consumers) get it from the protein of the organisms they consume.

How does cutting trees and built houses/ streets over those areas affect us?

1. The ground is covered so it doesnt let the water filtrate when it rains 2. this causes runoff (flooding)

What are different ways carbon can get in the environment?

1. When the animals die, their body gets broken down and release Co2 and methane into the atmosphere 2. When animals/humans respire (breathe) they release CO2. 3. Animals fart methane 4. Carbon can enter the aquatic food chain. -Carbon can get into the water and aquatic organisms do photosynthesis 5. Algae will capture CO2 and they would be the basis of food chains. -other animals eat the algae and they get the CO2 like that. -algae gets broken down and released as CO2 6. Cutting and burning trees results in higher Co2 levels. 7. Burning of gas and oil to power things we use. (heat, factories, etc.)

Nitrogen

1. most of the nitrogen in living organisms is in protoplasmic proteins of cells. 2. Nitrogen is not taken in by plants and organisms via breathing it in. (although 78% of the gases that we breathe in are nitrogen!) -plants absorb nitrogen via their roots since nitrogen is in inorganic compounds and ions in the soil. -Organisms eat plants and they get their nitrogen via consuming the plants. -Secondary and tertiary consumers eat organisms and there is nitrogen in the protein of their prey. 3. There is a constant flow of nitrogen from dead organisms into soil and from soil back to plants -bacteria break down dead organic matter -when plants and animals die, other bacteria decompose the dead organic matter and takes the nitrogen from a unusable form to a good one. -this is why compost adds nitrogen to the soil. 4. Lightning!!!! -every time a lighting strikes an area it would convert the Nitrogen gas in the atmosphere into a usable form of nitrogen

pros and cons of artificial/ inorganic fertilizer

1. takes a lot of energy 2. if we add inorganic fertilizer and we don't have a lot of organic matter added at the same time, we can end up having hardpan soil (dense, hard upper layer) with a lot of fertilizer runoff! (so, bye bye fertilizer... no help!) 3. no se... creo q hay mas answers to this..

what are C3 plants?

95% of the plant species. Use enzyme rubisco to make 3-carbon compound during carbon fixation. -there are a lot of plants that are around us.

Aquifers

An underground water reservoir. -with the help of wells we can bring up the water. -if there are big aquifers, the water may be extracted and used for irrigation. -if the landscape is changed and we build a town and there is a small amount of clearence, the run off is increased

how do C3 and C4 respond different to an increase in CO2?

C3 (a lot of the plants and trees around us.) -They reacted good to it. The increased CO2 made them grow more. -this gives C3 more of an competitive advantage over C4. -bc this means that if there is more CO2 in the atmosphere due to humans being annoying, those plants would grow. Disadvantages: -they're not adapted to higher temperature. --------------------------------- C4 (the ones that a lot of agricultural products) -They do not respond to the increase of CO2. (this was supposed to make them grow more) -wouldn't make them grow more -Advantages of C4 plants: --if there is more CO2 in the atmosphere, earth would become hotter. -wouldn't affect the plants negatively bc they are adapted to keeping their stromata open in times of higher temperatures even if there is lower amount of water available.

_____ is one of the big drivers of global warming

CO2

What is urbanization?

City building and the movement of people to cities -forests cut to make cities.

Urbanization ______ impervious surfaces, ________ infiltration. a. decreases; increasing b. decreases; decreasing c. increases; increasing d.increases; decreasing

D! -urbanization increases impervious (areas that cover the ground) and decreases infiltration (bc it doesn't allow the water to infiltrate into the ground)

What is the purpose of the Water cycle?

Earth's water is constantly recycled so that the total amount remains stable. -the water cycle does this recycling.

What is evapotranspiration and what causes it?

Evapotranspiration is the water loss occurring from the processes of evaporation and transpiration. -Evaporation occurs when water changes to vapor on either soil or plant surfaces. -Transpiration refers to the water lost through the leaves of plants.

True or False C4 plants increase growth and productivity levels significantly with increased CO2 levels, so they have higher productivity in an atmosphere with higher CO2 levels.

FALSE!!!! -C4 plants are the one consisting in a low of grasses and agricultural products. -they don't respond/ are not benefited when there is an increase of CO2 C3 is the type of plant that does respond good to it.

True or False It is hard to find products with Palm Oil

FALSEE!!!! - so many things have palm oil!!!!! -so much candy !!!

True or False Plants get nitrogen from the air.

FALSEEE!!! -most of the nitrogen in the air is unavailable to plants and animals bc most of that nitrogen is inside of organisms bodies!! -most of the nitrogen supply of plants derive from soil in a form of inorganic compounds and it is taken up by the roots!

what factors affect evapotranspiration?

Factors that affect evapotranspiration include: -the plant's growth stage or level of maturity -percentage of soil cover, -solar radiation -humidity -temperature -wind.

Why is evapotranspiration important?

It is important for crop maintenance. It also is responsible for 15% of the atmosphere's water vapor, without the input of that amount of water vapor clouds would not form and precipitation would never falll. Evapotranspiration is an important process in the water cycle because it is responsible for 15% of the atmosphere's water vapor. Without that input of water vapor, clouds couldn't form and precipitation would never fall.

protoplasmic

It is the translucent substance that constitutes the interior matter of a living cell and is composed of proteins, fats, and other molecules suspended in water

how are orangutans affected by palm oil?

Orangutans whose habitats have been destroyed often enter villages and oil plantations in search of food where they are captured or killed by farmers who treat them as pests.

Pros and Cons of Palm Oil

PROS: -can be used as a biofuel -it is sustainable bc the fruits to express the oils are harvested every year. -it locks Carbon CONS: -important rain forests are cleared to plant the palms. -this moves organisms that naturally live in these areas. (ex: so many orangutans die bc of this!!) -it decreases biodiversity.

Why is palm oil bad?

Palm oil has been and continues to be a major driver of deforestation of some of the world's most biodiverse forests, destroying the habitat of already endangered species like the Orangutan, pygmy elephant and Sumatran rhino.

What are some concerns with using Biofuels?

Some concerns with biofuels are that there will be competition for food and fuel (corn for both) -if food is used to make resources and the demand for fuel is high... that means that we would have less food to eat.. Issue with Palm Oil: Also, the increased deforestation for palm oil plantations is a huge issue, palm oil is a big biofuel component

Evaporation

The change of a substance from a liquid to a gas

Evapotranspiration

The combined amount of evaporation and transpiration -the trees pull the water up that has infiltrated in the ground and releases it back up.

What are the effects of urbanization in land?

Urbanization: -increases impervious surfaces -decreases infiltration -increases high energy runoff What it causes: - this changes watersheds and leads to flooding

What is infiltration?

Water soaking into the ground 2 Types: 1. shadow infiltration -water that infiltrates jut in the surface. - also travel through the soil and into downstream rivers and lakes. -it does in the groundwater or it is just taken up by trees. 2. Deep infiltration -water that will percolate through the soil and eventually recharge aquifers and groundwater sources.

How have humans altered the nitrogen cycle?

We increase the amount of Nitrogen in atmosphere: •Industrial Pollution -pollution from car (contains nitrous oxide. This combines with water in atmosphere, forms acid rain. -this acid rain in small amounts is good bc acts as fertilizer but in excess, it can affect soil fertility. We have farming techniques that cause soil Nitrogen loss •Harvest -We add inorganic and organic fertilizers which add Nitrogen to soil but, they take a lot of energy -if we add inorganic fertilizer and we don't have a lot of organic matter added at the same time, we can end up having hardpan soil (hard upper layer of soil) which creates a runoff (bye bye nitrogen in the soil/fertilizer) -nitrogen gets suck out of the soil by the plant. •Burning -we burn the crops that are left over! -areas are burned to have a clean slate for more farming -this releases carbon dioxide and nitrogen into the atmosphere. (cause increase) •Tilling (preparing land to farm) -you grind/mix the surface of the soil all up so that the new plants gain roots. -this loosing up the soil and increases erosion and wind would carry the soil somewhere else... -there have been new techniques to stop tilling... they flat out the land/crush the cops so they die. -another technique that has been done is to cut the soil up and not like mix like crazy

Respiration from living things replaces much of the carbon dioxide fixed by plants. Which groups are responsible for the highest proportion or respired carbon dioxide? a. bacteria and fungi b. animals c. other plants d. humans

a. bacteria and fungi -the decomposing of bactera and fungi take up 90% of the CO2 gases in atmosphere.

All of the following are farming techniques that cause N loss except: a. inter-cropping legume species b. harvesting crops c. burning waste from fields d. tilling the field from planting

a. intercropping legume species increases nitrogen! -legumes are nitrogen fixing plants!

Most of the nitrogen supply of plants come from a. compounds produced by nitrogen fixing bacteria b. nitrogen gas in the atmosphere entering through their leaves c. nitrogen gas in the soil being absorbed by plant's roots.

a. nitrogen fixing bacteria converts nitrogen from the air into compounds like inorganic compounds and ions. This is then absorbed by the root! -C isn't correct bc the nitrogen gas isn't in the soil.. the gas is converted into other compounds that contain the nitrogen inside.

What are biofuels?

alternative renewable fuels made from plant materials ex: ethanol instead of gas. (ethanol is made out of corn)

Many solutions to producing alternative fuels are complex and involve other potential issues-which alternative biofuel is correctly paired with the issue? a. tropical rain forests and orangutan habitats being destroyed for corn production b. palm oil is not a renewable resource c. demand for ethanol from corn may drive up food prices.

c!!!!! -using ethanol as biofuel affects food bc ethanol is made out of corn!!! -if the corn is being used for ethanol that means that there would be less availiable corn

what are cover crops?

crops that are planted between harvests to replace certain nutrients and prevent erosion -legumes, alphalpha, bean family plants are used for these because they are the ones that have the nodules where the nitrogen fixing bacteria live! cover crops are plants that are planted to cover the soil rather than for the purpose of being harvested. Cover crops manage soil erosion, soil fertility, soil quality, water, weeds, pests, diseases, biodiversity and wildlife in an agroecosystem—an ecological system managed and shaped by humans.

what is a big negative impact of fertilizer?

fertilizer runoff. -can impact coastal communities bc can runoff to

Some plant species, particularly legumes, produce root nodules in which these bacteria multiply. what type of relationship is this?

mutualism -legume species grow nodules and it provide a home for the nitrogen fixing bacteria -the nitrogen fixing bacteria captures the N2 gas in the atmosphere and convert it to usable forms of nitrogen (benefits the legumes) -these plants are used as cover crops since they help bring nutrients to the land/ they enrich the soil.

Are plants considered carbon sinks like trees are?

naaahhh bc only C3 plants respond to a higher CO2 levels.... -like only C3 plants grow more in response to more Co2. -C4 doesn't/

Nitrogen fixing plants

plants with pockets of root bacteria; the bacteria fix nitrogen for the plant, and the plants give the bacteria nutrients 1. They'll grow and release nitrogen into the soil -it can help in the winter (it has to be winter tolerant nitrogen fixing crops.) -they release nitrogen so, higher levels of nitrogen in soil whenever we need to harvest. •These plants are also harvested one year and the other year they are not. (rotate) -this shifts when nutrients are added into soil . ex: alfalfa, legumes, clover, soybeans.

pros and cons of organic fertilizer

pros: -doesn't take much energy to produce -it is one of the ways we can deindustrialize the food chain -we can intercrop with plants and then release chickens for pest control and nitrogen addition. ----aka we can use the chickens to lower pest control! cons: -if we add inorganic fertilizer and we don't have a lot of organic matter added at the same time, we can end up having hardpan soil (dense, hard upper layer) with a lot of fertilizer runoff! (so, bye bye fertilizer... no help!)

Most Nitrogen in living organisms is found in ________

protoplasmic proteins of cells. -AKA its in the cytoplasm and in all of the proteins that are doing everything in your cells ex: enzymes, channel proteins, etc. -its found in DNA and RNA

examples of winter nitrogen fixing plants

ryegrass

What is the carbon cycle?

the flow of carbon between the atmosphere and the Earth

Why are trees considered carbon sinks?

trees are carbon sinks (taking in CO2 and putting it into its trunk and locking it in there.. don't bring it to the cycle) -----aka helped keep some CO2 from the atmosphere.

Runoff

water that flows over the ground surface rather than soaking into the ground

runoff

water that flows over the ground surface rather than soaking into the ground