All Flashcards
Consequences of deforestation on carbon cycle?
Reduced carbon sequestration, increased atmospheric carbon dioxide.
Consequences of agricultural practices on nitrogen/phosphorus cycles?
Increased runoff of fertilizers, eutrophication of water bodies.
Effects of climate change on the water cycle?
Increased evaporation, altered precipitation patterns, increased frequency of extreme weather events.
What happens when excess nutrients enter a body of water?
Eutrophication, algal blooms, oxygen depletion, fish kills.
What is the effect of clearing a forest for agriculture?
Loss of biodiversity, habitat fragmentation.
How does increased CO2 affect the ocean?
Ocean acidification, harming marine life.
What are the key processes in the carbon cycle?
Photosynthesis, respiration, decomposition, combustion.
What are the key processes in the nitrogen cycle?
Nitrogen fixation, nitrification, assimilation, ammonification, denitrification.
What are the key processes in the phosphorus cycle?
Weathering, absorption by plants, consumption by animals, decomposition.
What are the key processes in the hydrologic cycle?
Evaporation, condensation, precipitation, runoff, infiltration.
Significance of climate in defining biomes?
Primarily determines the type of biome, based on temperature and precipitation.
Why is the carbon cycle important?
Key for understanding climate change; regulates atmospheric temperature.
Why are nitrogen and phosphorus cycles important?
Essential for plant growth and heavily influenced by agricultural practices.
Why is the water cycle important?
Critical for clean water access and understanding water pollution.
What is the 10% rule?
Only about 10% of energy is transferred between trophic levels.
How does energy move through an ecosystem?
Energy decreases as you move up trophic levels.
How are biomes categorized?
Categorized by climate (temperature and precipitation) and biomass (plants and animals).
What drives adaptation and evolution?
Limited resources drive adaptation and evolution.
What is the relationship between the carbon cycle and climate change?
Excess carbon dioxide in the atmosphere traps heat, leading to climate change.
What are the major types of biomes?
Terrestrial (land-based) and aquatic (water-based).