All Flashcards
What are the environmental consequences of burning fossil fuels?
Increased atmospheric CO2, global warming, climate change.
What are the environmental consequences of deforestation?
Reduced CO2 absorption, increased atmospheric CO2, habitat loss.
How does increased atmospheric CO2 affect global climate?
Leads to the greenhouse effect, causing global warming.
What is the effect of agricultural practices on carbon emissions?
Can contribute to carbon emissions and soil degradation.
Why is the Earth considered a closed system?
Matter is neither created nor destroyed; it cycles through different forms.
What is the role of plants in the carbon cycle?
Absorb CO2 through photosynthesis, storing carbon and releasing oxygen.
Why are oceans important in the carbon cycle?
Act as a major carbon sink, absorbing CO2 from the atmosphere.
How does decomposition contribute to the carbon cycle?
Releases carbon from dead organisms back into the soil and atmosphere.
How does burning fossil fuels affect the carbon cycle?
Releases large amounts of stored carbon into the atmosphere, increasing CO2 levels.
How does deforestation impact the carbon cycle?
Reduces the number of plants available to absorb CO2, increasing atmospheric CO2.
What is the link between the carbon cycle and climate change?
Increased atmospheric CO2 from disrupted carbon cycle leads to global warming.
What role does calcium carbonate play in the carbon cycle?
It is a long-term carbon storage mechanism, sinking to the ocean floor.
Describe the relationship between photosynthesis and respiration.
Photosynthesis removes CO2; respiration releases CO2, creating a cycle.
Explain the difference between fast and slow carbon cycles.
Fast cycles involve living organisms; slow cycles involve long-term storage.
What are the environmental consequences of burning fossil fuels?
Releases large amounts of stored carbon into the atmosphere, increasing atmospheric CO2 levels and leading to global warming and climate change.
What are the environmental consequences of deforestation?
Reduces the number of plants available to absorb CO2, leading to increased atmospheric CO2 levels and habitat loss.
What is the effect of increased atmospheric CO2?
Enhances the greenhouse effect, trapping more heat and leading to global warming, climate change, and ocean acidification.
What is the effect of agricultural practices on the carbon cycle?
Can release carbon from the soil, contribute to greenhouse gas emissions, and degrade soil quality, disrupting the carbon cycle.
What are the consequences of ocean acidification?
Harms marine life, especially shellfish and coral reefs, disrupting marine ecosystems and reducing the ocean's ability to absorb CO2.
What are the consequences of melting permafrost?
Releases large amounts of stored methane and CO2 into the atmosphere, accelerating global warming and climate change.
What is the effect of increased global temperatures on ecosystems?
Leads to shifts in species distribution, increased frequency of extreme weather events, and disruptions in ecological processes.
What is the effect of climate change on sea levels?
Causes thermal expansion of water and melting of glaciers and ice sheets, leading to rising sea levels and coastal flooding.
What is the impact of urbanization on the carbon cycle?
Increases fossil fuel consumption, reduces carbon sinks (vegetation), and alters local climate patterns, contributing to carbon emissions.
What is the effect of volcanic eruptions on the carbon cycle?
Releases CO2 into the atmosphere, contributing to the greenhouse effect, but also releases aerosols that can temporarily cool the planet.