All Flashcards
Ozone layer significance?
Absorbs harmful UV radiation, protecting life on Earth.
Greenhouse effect importance?
Natural process that keeps Earth warm enough to support life.
Why is biodiversity important?
Provides ecosystem services, genetic resources, and resilience.
Impact of CFCs on ozone?
CFCs release chlorine, which destroys ozone molecules.
How does CO2 impact oceans?
Increased atmospheric CO2 leads to ocean acidification.
Why are specialist species vulnerable?
Narrow niches make them susceptible to habitat changes.
Why are K-selected species vulnerable?
Low reproductive rates hinder recovery from population declines.
What is the role of greenhouse gases?
Trap heat in the atmosphere, influencing global temperatures.
What is the impact of invasive species?
Disrupt ecosystems, outcompete native species, reduce biodiversity.
Why is the Montreal Protocol important?
Successful example of international environmental cooperation.
Define: Stratosphere
Atmospheric layer above troposphere; contains ozone layer.
Define: Ozone Layer
Region in stratosphere with high ozone (O3) concentration; absorbs UV radiation.
Define: CFCs
Chlorofluorocarbons; stable compounds that deplete the ozone layer.
Define: Greenhouse Effect
Natural process where heat is trapped near Earth's surface by gases.
Define: Global Warming Potential (GWP)
Measure of how much heat a gas traps compared to CO2.
Define: Ocean Acidification
Decrease in ocean pH due to increased CO2 absorption.
Define: Specialist Species
Species with narrow niche; vulnerable to environmental change.
Define: Generalist Species
Species with broad niche; adaptable to environmental change.
Define: K-selected species
Species with few offspring, high parental care; vulnerable to extinction.
Define: r-selected species
Species with many offspring, low parental care; adaptable to change.
What are the effects of ozone depletion?
Increased UV radiation, skin cancer, cataracts.
What are the consequences of increased greenhouse gases?
Global warming, climate change, sea level rise.
What are the impacts of ocean acidification?
Shellfish decline, coral bleaching, food web disruption.
What are the effects of habitat destruction?
Biodiversity loss, species extinction, ecosystem disruption.
What are the consequences of invasive species?
Ecosystem imbalance, competition with native species, economic damage.
What is the impact of overexploitation?
Depletion of resources, endangerment of species, ecosystem collapse.