Viewing All Flashcards for ENV Test 2
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The most recent 1 billion people were added in just 12 years >80 million added yearly (2.6 people/sec
π 12 billion prosperous people in a healthy world 33 billion very poor people in a degraded worl
58 years (70 1.2 = 58.3
Our total impact (I) on the environment results from the interaction of population (P), affluence (A), and technology (T)
5)
Applying population ecology to the study of human populations
1 in 5 people globally is Chinese
Greater than 9 billlion
Temperate, subtropical, and tropical climates Coasts, rivers, cities
Extreme-climate regions (desert, rainforest, and tundra) Also, areas away from water
10)
Describes relative numbers of individuals in each age class in a population In population pyramids, the width of each horizontal bar represents the number of people in each age class
In 2050, it will be 38
Naturally occurring human sex ratios slightly favor males (100 females born to 106 males) Males are slightly more prone to deat
Rates of births, deaths, immigration, and emigration Birth + immigration add individuals Death + emigration remove individuals• Technological advances have led to dramatic decline in human death rates
Average number of children born per female during her lifetime
The TFR that keeps population size stable
Access to medical care reduces infant mortality• Urbanization increaseschildcare costs• Greater education allows women to enter the labor force, putting less emphasison child rearing
Change due to birth and death rates alone (excluding immigration and emigration)
Change due to birth and death rates alone (excluding immigration and emigration)
Model of economic and cultural change to explain declining death and birth rates in nations as they industrialize
20)
Study of Earth’s physical features, processes, and history
21)
Any naturally occurring solid element or inorganic compound formed by geological processes
22)
Any solid aggregation of minerals without a specific chemical composition Affects soils and influences plant communitie
25)
In relation to minerals, mining is the systematic removal of rock, soil, or other material in order to extract minerals of economic interes
26)
A mineral or grouping of minerals from which humans extract metals
27)
A type of chemical element, or a mass of such an element, that is typically lustrous, opaque, malleable, and can conduct heat and electricit
28)
Heating ore beyond its melting point, then combining it with other metals or chemicals
Tantalum, a metal that comes from a mineral called tantalite
30)
Best when resources occur in shallow deposits near surface• Layers of surface soil and rock (overburden)are removed to expose the mineral resource• Used for coal, sand, gravel, and oil sands
Effective when resource occurs deep underground, and the Earth allows for safe tunneling Deepest mines are 2.5 miles!• Used for coal, zinc, lead, nickel, tin, gold, copper, diamonds, phosphate, salt
32)
Sulfuric acid forms and causes chemical runoff as it leaches metals, which are often toxic
33)
Effective when a resource is spread widely and evenly in a rock formation Dig a gigantic hole and remove ore and waste rock Terraced for access• Used for copper, iron, gold, diamonds, coal, clay
34)
Using running water, miners sift through material in modern or ancient riverbeds Congo’s coltan miners; California’s gold rush 1849• Used for gold and gems• Debris is washed into streams, making them uninhabitable for fish and other organism
Entire mountaintops are blasted off, and the waste is dumped into valleys• Mainly used for coal in the Appalachian Mountain
Even on restored sites, impacts may be severe and long-lasting• Complex communities are simplified Forests, wetlands, etc., are replaced by grasses• Essential symbioses are ofteneliminated and not restored• Polluted water may be reclaimed Moderate the pH and remove heavy metals
π 80% of lead consumedtoday comes from recycled car batteries In 2009, 35% of metals from U.S. solid waste were recycled (35% of our copper comes from recycled sources, such as pipes and wires) >40% of aluminum in the USA is recycled We can also recycle electronic waste (e-waste) from computers, printers, cell phones, etc
38)
: variety of life across all levels of biological organization
π Ecosystem diversity Species diversity Genetic diversity
Number and variety of species in the world or in a particular region
Number of species
Extent to which numbers of individuals of different species are equal or skewed
43)
Scientists who classify species
44)
Populations of species that occur in different geographic areas and differ slightly from each other Subspecies are denoted with a third part of the scientific name
Differences in DNA among individuals within species and populations
Genetically similar parents mate and produce defective offspring
Number and variety of ecosystems• Also encompasses differing biological communities and habitat
Most widely accepted estimate: 14 million
49)
Occurs when the last member of a species dies and the species ceases to exist Paleontologists estimate 99% of all species that ever lived on Earth are now extinct
50)
The disappearance of a particular population from a given area, but not the entire species globally (can lead to extinction)
Average extinction rate before the appearance of humans (species go extinct gradually, one at a time)
53)
An updated assessment of threatened species and subspecies conducted by the World Conservation Union (IUCN)
π Habitat loss Pollution Overharvesting Invasive species• Global climate change now the 5 the cause
Farming• Grazing• Deforestation• Hydroelectric dams• Urbanization and suburban sprawl
Harms organisms in many ways Air pollution degrades forest ecosystems Water pollution harms fish and amphibians Agricultural runoff harms terrestrial and aquatic species Effects of oil andchemical spills on wildlife are dramatic and well known
Increased emissions of greenhouse gases warmstemperatures Modifies global weather patterns and increases the frequency of extreme weather events Increases stress on populations and forces organisms to shift geographic ranges
π We now depend on 15 crops and 8 livestock species
$150 billion in sale
Hodgkin’s disease and leukemia
61)
People visit natural areas, creating economic opportunities for local residents
62)
Instinctive love for and fascination of nature (humans have an affinity for parks, keeping of pets, etc.) People feel an emotional bond with other living things High value of real estate with views of natural land
Alienation from biodiversity and nature damages childhood development
Field of study that investigates factors that influence the loss, protection, and restoration of biodiversity
Forbids the government and private citizens from taking action that destroys endangered species or their habitats
Individuals are bred and raised (usually by zoos and botanical gardens) with the intent of reintroducing them back into the wild
Involves the scientific analysis of evidence to identify or answer questions relating to a crime or accident
Large and charismatic species with wide public appeal that can be used as spearheads for conservation Example: World Wildlife Fund’s panda
Area that supports a high number of species, especially endemic species
Conservation biologists actively engage local people in protecting land and wildlif
73)
Ecosystem with a high density of trees
By tree species
They are structurally complex, with many niches− They provide food and shelter for many species− Soil organisms decompose plants, recycle nutrients
Canopysub canopyunder storyshrub layerForest floorsoil
Stabilize soil and prevent erosion, recharge aquifers, slow runoff, lessen flooding, purify water in streams and rivers, store carbon, release oxygen, moderate climate
Medicine, food, fuel, shelter, ships, paper
80)
Clearing and loss of forests
Alters landscapes and ecosystems− Degrades soil− Reduces biodiversity− Ruins civilizations (e.g., Easter Island)− Adds carbon dioxide to the air− Disrupts ecosystem service
12.8 million acres
83)
Natural forest uncut by people− Little remained in U.S. by the 20th century
Forest that grown back after primary, old-growth timber has been cut
Palm oil plantations are replacing tropical forests• Palm oil is used in snack foods, soaps, cosmetics, and as a biofuel• Clearing forests encourages further development − Increases illegal logging• In Indonesia, plantations have displaced >15 million acres of rainfores
World Resources Institute (WRI) steers palm oil companies to land already logged and degraded− Uncut forests are protected or sustainably logged
Wealthy nations pay poor nations to conserve forests− Rich nations get carbon credits to offset emissions
88)
Professional management of forests that must balance importance of forests as ecosystems with our demand for wood products
Strategic decision making about who should extract resources and in what ways, so that resources are used wisely and not wasted− Resource managers are influenced by political, economic, and social factors− Do we focus only on the resource or look at the whole environmental system?
Aims to achieve the maximum amount of resource extraction without depleting the resource from one harvest to the next
Manage the harvesting of resources in ways that minimize the impact on ecosystems and the ecological processes that provide the resources− Consider patterns at the landscape level
The systematic testing of different management approaches to improve methods over time
Public lands set aside to: − Grow trees, produce timber, protect watersheds, and ensure future timber supplies− 191 million acres — 8% of U.S. land
Manages forests for the greatest good of the greatest number in the long run− Initially developed by Gifford Pinchot
95)
All trees in an area are cut• Cost-efficient in short term• Severe impacts on forest ecosystems• At worst, entire ecological communities are destroyed, soil severely erodes, etc.• Public often outraged over clear-cut harvesting
Plans for renewable resource management had to be drawn up for every national forest
But many ecosystems depend on fire− Fire suppression allows woody accumulatio
Burning forests or grasslands under carefully controlled conditions to improve ecosystem health
Reduce fuel load− Mimic naturalfires in ecosystems− Hindered by public misunderstanding
Forests, companies, and products made using sustainable methods
1) Preserve enormous, beautiful, or unusual features (ex: Grand Canyon, Yosemite Valley)2) Offer recreational value to tourists, hikers, bird-watchers, fishers, hunters, and others3) Generate revenue from ecotourism4) Offer utilitarian benefits (for humans) and protect ecosystem services, such as clean drinking water and flood buffers5) Offer peace of mind, health, spiritual solace6) Protect biodiversity
Protected from resource extraction and development, but open to nature appreciation and recreation− Administered by National Park Service (since 1916)− 393 sites totaling 89 million acres
Haven for wildlife; and also encourages some hunting, fishing, wildlife observation, photography, environmental education− Administered by U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service − 151 million acres in 550 sites
105)
Off-limits to development of any kind, but open to low-impact public recreation (such as hiking)− 109 million acres in 756 sites− May include land managed by different agencies
106)
Local or regional private organizations that purchase land to protect it− Nature Conservancyis the world’s largest land trust− U.S. land trusts protect 10.2 million acres− Jackson Hole, WY, is protected by a land trust
107)
Areas protected on paper, but not in practice
108)
Protected area with exceptional biodiversity that combines preservation with sustainable development to benefit local people
109)
A Single Large Or Several Small reserves− Depends on the species: tigers vs. insects
110)
Protected land that allows animals to travel between islands of protected habitat− Animals get more resources− Enables gene flow between populations
Field that assesses environmental factors that influence human health and quality of life
π Physical, chemical, biological, and cultural
π Earthquakes, volcanoes, fires, floods, droughts UV radiation from sunlight damages DNA Increase our vulnerability by deforesting slopes (landslides), channelizing rivers (flooding), etc. We can reduce risk by making better environmental choices
114)
Synthetic chemicals, such as pesticides, disinfectants, pharmaceuticals Naturally produced chemicals can also be harmful
115)
Result from ecological interactions among organisms Viruses, bacteria, other pathogens (e.g., parasites)
Caused by a pathogen(a disease-causing organism) that attacks a host and is potentially transmissible to others (e.g., malaria, cholera, influenza, tuberculosis)
Result from where we live, our socioeconomic status, our occupation, and our behavioral choices Smoking, drug use, diet, mode of transportation
π Half of all deaths in developing countries Developed countries have better hygiene, access to medicine, and money
119)
An organism that transfers pathogens to a host (e.g., mosquitoes)
120)
Study of the effects of poisonous substances on humans and other organisms
121)
Degree of harm a chemical substance can cause
122)
Any toxic or poisonous agent “The dose makes the poison” → toxicity depends on combined effect of the chemical and its quantity In small doses, a toxicant may pose little to no threat to human health
Study of toxicants that come from or are discharged into the environment
Most Americans spend 90% of their time indoors Cigarette smoke and radon cause lung cancer Mold in homes and offices produce toxic compounds Asbestos (for insulation) causes problems if inhaled Lead in pipes and gasoline damages organs and causes learning problems, hearing loss, and death
Most Americans spend 90% of their time indoors Cigarette smoke and radon cause lung cancer Mold in homes and offices produce toxic compounds Asbestos (for insulation) causes problems if inhaled Lead in pipes and gasoline damages organs and causes learning problems, hearing loss, and death
Newly recognized hazard; PBDEs are used in computers, televisions, plastics, and furniture Act as hormone disruptors Now banned in Europe, but not in the U.S.
127)
Toxic chemicals made in tissues of living organisms (e.g., plants produce chemicals to ward off being eaten)
π Every human has traces of industrial chemicals Babies are born with chemicals in their bodie
π However, very few of the 100,000 chemicals on the market have been thoroughly tested
π Showed the risk of pesticides (particularly DDT) to human health, wildlife, and ecosystems In the 1960s, pesticides were mostly untested, assumed to beharmless, andsprayed over public areas Led to major social change; DDT ban (1973
131)
Cause cancer (can be hard to identify)
132)
Cause DNA mutations Some can lead to severe problems, including cancer
133)
Cause birth defects (e.g., thalidomide)
134)
Affect the nervous system Heavy metals (lead, mercury), pesticide
135)
Over-activate the immune system, causing an unwanted immune response
136)
Interrupt biochemical processes
Toxicants that interfere with the endocrine system by mimicking or blocking normal hormone functions
π Widely promoted idea that synthetic chemicals may be altering hormones Book integrated scientific work from various fields Shocked many readers and brought criticism from chemical industr
Male fetuses, but are still used in U.S. toys and makeup
Birth defects, but the plastics industry protests that the chemical is safe
141)
Reproductive abnormalities and increased occurrence or progression of some diseases (e.g. diabetes and some cancers)
Estrogen
144)
High exposure to a hazard for short periods of time Stems from discrete events: ingestion, oil spills, etc. Thus is easier to recognize
145)
Low exposure to a hazard for long periods of time More common, but tough to detect and diagnose Affects organs gradually (e.g., smoking →lung cancer) Cause and effect may not be easily apparent
π Rates of degradation depend on temperature, moisture, and sun exposure Persistent chemicals have most potential for har
π For example, DDT degrades into DDE, which is also highly persistent and toxic
148)
Toxicants build up in animal tissues
149)
Toxicants concentrate in top predators Toxicants are magnified through trophic levels Near extinction of brown pelicans, peregrine falcons, and bald eagles
We investigate the impact of hazards on wild animals To help conserve wild populations And understand the risks to humans