Ecosystems & Biodiversity
These organisms convert sunlight into chemical energy through photosynthesis.
What are producers?
This term describes the maximum population size that an environment can sustainably support.
What is carrying capacity?
This agricultural problem occurs when irrigation causes salts to accumulate in soil.
What is salinization?
Coal, oil, and natural gas belong to this category of energy sources.
What are fossil fuels?
This air-pollution event occurs when warm air traps cooler polluted air close to the ground.
What is a temperature inversion?
According to this rule, only about one-tenth of the energy at one trophic level becomes available to the next trophic level.
What is the 10% rule?
This type of population growth produces an S-shaped curve because growth slows near carrying capacity.
What is logistic growth?
This irrigation method delivers small amounts of water directly to plant roots, reducing evaporation.
What is drip irrigation?
This fossil fuel generally produces the most air pollution when burned.
What is coal?
Fertilizer runoff can cause algal blooms, decomposition, oxygen loss, and fish deaths through this process.
What is eutrophication?
This equation represents the energy available to consumers after producers use some energy for respiration.
What is NPP = GPP − respiration?
A hurricane reduces a population regardless of its size. This is the type of limiting factor involved.
What is a density-independent limiting factor?
This strategy combines biological, physical, and limited chemical methods to control pests.
What is integrated pest management?
This renewable energy source can reduce fossil-fuel use but may block fish migration and flood habitats.
What is hydroelectric power?
Mercury becomes increasingly concentrated at higher trophic levels through this process.
What is biomagnification?
These species can survive in many different environments and consume a wide variety of foods.
What are generalist species?
Most weather occurs in this lowest atmospheric layer.
What is the troposphere?
Removing too many trees can increase carbon dioxide levels, reduce biodiversity, and cause this soil-related problem.
What is soil erosion?
This energy source produces electricity with low direct carbon dioxide emissions but creates radioactive waste.
What is nuclear energy?
Carbon dioxide dissolves into seawater and contributes to this environmental problem.
What is ocean acidification?
According to island biogeography, islands with these two characteristics usually support the greatest number of species.
What are a large size and a location close to the mainland?
This effect creates dry conditions on the leeward side of a mountain after moist air rises and releases precipitation on the windward side
What is the rain-shadow effect?
This occurs when fish are caught faster than their populations can recover.
What is overfishing?
Reducing energy use by improving insulation, using efficient appliances, or turning off lights is an example of this approach.
What is energy conservation or energy efficiency?
Building seawalls to prepare for rising sea levels is an example of this response to climate change.
What is adaptation?