APES Unit 9 Topic List

Generalists

thrive in a wide range of habitats

Threatened

likely to become endangered

Specialists

limited diet and stricter habitat requirement

Cite examples of how species composition has changed over time

lobster

Anthropogenic ways GHGs get into the atmosphere

- Fossil Fuels -Agriculture -Deforestation -Landfills -Modern Chemicals (CFCs/HFCs)

Natural Ways greenhouse gases are released into the atmosphere

- Volcanoes -Decomposition and Digestion -Denitrification (nitrous oxide) -Evaporation and Evapotranspiration (water vapor)

As ocean temperatures rise:

- increase in storm intensity -change in ocean currents

List characteristics that make an organism more prone to becoming endangered

1. Low reproductive rate 2. Specialized Niche 3. Commercially Valuable

How can we mitigate habitat loss

1. Protected Areas 2. Habitat Corridors 3. Restoration 4. Sustainable Land Use

When protecting areas, what must humans consider when planning? (Better/Worse picture)

1. Size Shape and Connectedness 2. Biosphere Reserves

Effects/Evidence of Climate Change

1. Thawing Permafrost Melting Glaciers Rising Sea Level Warmer Oceans Less Snowpack More Droughts Increased Ocean Acidity Changing Rain and Snow Patterns Shrinking Sea Ice Wilder Weather Higher Temperatures

What does the ozone layer do

Absorbs the sun's UV Rays; protects us from UV rays

What caused the hole in our ozone layer?

CFCs

What greenhouse gas has the highest Global Warming Potential?

CFCs/HFCs

What greenhouse gas should we be the most concerned with? Why?

Carbon Dioxide; largest concentration in the atmosphere

Biosphere Reserves

Contain zones that vary in allowed amount of impact Central core, buffer zone, transition area

Endangered

Danger of exinction

Keystone Species

Has a disproportionate, far-reaching impact on species in its ecosystem; Sea Otters

What is the relationship between greenhouse gasses and increasing temperature?

Excess Greenhouse Gases leads to climate change and increased temperatures

Flagship/Charismatic Species

Extremely popular due to their "cuteness", large size, and/or high intelligence Serves to raise concern and awareness; dolphins/pandas

What is the biggest threat to biodiversity?

Habitat Loss Invasive Species Population (humans) Pollution Climate Change Over Exploitation

Positive Feedback Loop

Increasing

Negative Feedback Loop

Slow or stop

Habitat Fragmentation

Parts of a habitat are destroyed, leaving behind smaller unconnected areas Fires; Volcanic Eruptions Human Activity

Kyoto Protocol

Set goals for global emissions of GHGs to be reduced by 2012

Explain the Keeling Curve and the fluctuations seen throughout the overall increase

Shows that CO2 levels vary seasonally and increase overall -Vegetation leads to seasonal fluctuations, huge decrease in spring/summer

Layer in the atmosphere that contains the ozone layers

Stratosphere

Size Shape and Connectedness

Theory of island biogeography Metapopulations Single Large or Several Small Edge Habitat

Roll of GHGs in atmosphere

The greenhouse effect keeps the Earth's temperature warmer than it would otherwise be, supporting life on Earth

pH scale

The range goes from 0 - 14, with 7 being neutral. pHs of less than 7 indicate acidity, whereas a pH of greater than 7 indicates a base

Global Warming Potential

a term used to describe the relative potency, molecule for molecule, of a greenhouse gas, taking account of how long it remains active in the atmosphere

When you decrease the pH of the oceans that means it is becoming more ____

acidic

Causes of Ocean Acidification

amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere rises, the ocean absorbs it. This carbon dioxide then reacts with the sea water causing it to form carbonic acid.

What makes an invasive species successful in an area?

generalist; r-selected

Montreal Protocol

international agreement that limited/banned CFCs in many countries.

Indicator Species

quickly reflect change in ecosystem functioning; frogs

sea level rise definition

rising temperatures melting ice

Umbrella Species

the conservation and protection of these species indirectly affects the conservation and protection of other species within their ecosystem; trees