Carbon Cycle
Energy ____, Matter ____
Flows, Cycles
Is the climate changing?
Yes. Just yes.
What does changing phenology mean (with regards to biological events)
Changing timing of biological events
What is the current extinction rate in relation to the background extinction rates? (general)
MUCH higher
What is an invasive species
Non-native species that become very abundant when introduced to an environment
What is the largest flux of Carbon? The largest pool?
Flux: Photosynthesis
Pool: Rocks and Sediments
How are oceans becoming more acidic?
More CO2 in the atmosphere means more goes into the ocean
Who fixes Carbon?
Photosynthetic organisms
What is population extirpation?
Local extinctions
What do we need to do to address climate change?
Shift form burning fossil fuels to using renewable energy sources
How do we check CO2 levels from a long time ago?
Ice cores! Check out under a microscope, then estimate
Describe the difference between weather and climate
Weather is short term, climate is long term
What is the most abundant gas in the atmosphere?
Nitrogen
Name some causes of biodiversity loss
Over exploitation, agricultural activity, urban development, systemic modifications
What is climate literacy?
understanding essential principles of the climate, how to assess credibility of a source, communicates about climate in a meaningful way
Name 2 out of 3 greenhouse gases BESIDES CO2
Possible answers: water vapor, nitrous oxide, methane
Describe the Greenhouse effect
Greenhouse gases increase, causing more heat to be trapped near the Earth's surface
How are fossil fuels formed?
NOT ALL DETRITUS IS RECYCLED! Organic stuff gets buried and squished. Often in swampy areas, low O2, etc.
What are some of the biggest risks for extinction of invertebrates? (name 2 or more)
Habitat loss, pollution, invasive species, climate change (also Dams)
Name some examples of over-exploitation (at least 2)
Hunting, fishing, logging, any other killing more than replaceable
Name the three responses an animal can have in response to changing climate
1) move
2) stay, but adapt
3) go extinct
Name at least one LOCAL and GLOBAL consequence of climate change.
GLOBAL: Rising sea levels, acidic oceans, extreme heat waves, heavy precipitation events
LOCAL: More rainfall events (answers flexible)
What are the two processes in short term (local) carbon cycling?
Photosynthesis and Respiration!
Describe the difference between vulnerable, endangered, and critically endangered
Vulnerable: likely to become endangered
Endangered: likely to become extinct
Critically endangered: very high risk of extinction
Describe the impact of a Dam on species diversity
Major shifts in community structure, species rich decreases on both sides of the dam, flow of the river is more variable