Lesson 1 Vocabulary
When an entire species disappears from the biosphere this is known as ________________.
extinction
Belize has a barrier reef off of its coastline. The elevation of the coastline is at or just above sea level. What indirect economic benefit could the reef provide the country during hurricane season?
A) Abundant fish for food
B) Coastline Protection
C) A nice place to sunbathe.
Coastline Protection
The gradual process of a species going extinct over several decades.
Different environmental conditions that occur along the boundaries of an ecosystem.
Edge Effects
Resources that are replaced by natural processes faster than they are consumed.
Renewable resources
This is the variety of life in an area that is determined by the number of different species in that area.
Biodiversity
True or false, Human activities can result in a decrease in Biodiversity.
True
An event where a large percentage of all living species become extinct in a relatively short period of time.
Mass Extinction
Substances like DDT accumulate in the tissues of organisms. Carnivores at higher trophic levels seem to be most affected by the accumulation of toxic substances. This is because of a process called ___________________________.
Biological Magnification
Resources that are found on Earth in limited amounts or that are replaced by natural processes over long periods of time are called ________________.
nonrenewable resources
The variety of genes or inheritable characteristics that are present in a population comprises its ____________________.
Genetic Diversity
True or False
Biodiversity hotspots contain small numbers of endemic species that are threatened with extinction.
False
All materials and organisms found in the biosphere, including minerals, fossil fuels, nuclear fuels, plants, animals, soil, clean water, clean air, and solar energy.
Natural Resources
Occurs when fertilizers, animal waste, sewage, or other substances rich in nitrogen and phosphorus flow into waterways, causing extensive algae growth.
Using resources at a rate at which they can be replaced or recycled while preserving long-term environmental health is called ______________.
Sustainable Use
Species Diversity
True or False:
Healthy ecosystems can provide some services at a lesser expense than using technology is known as Aesthetic value.
False
Excessive use of species that have economic value. Example given was the American Bison.
Overexploitation
Species that can significantly modify or disrupt a habitat and are a threat to biodiversity.
Invasive Species
Species that are only found in a specific geographic area are known as ____________.
Endemic
The variety of ecosystems present in the biosphere is called ________________________.
Ecosystem Diversity
The last mass extinction is thought to have occurred how many years ago?
65 million years ago
Separation of an ecosystem into small pieces of land.
Habitat Fragmentation
Burning fossil fuels causes the production of nitrogen oxides and sulfur dioxide into the atmosphere. When these oxides mix with water vapor in the air they form ______________________.
Acid Precipitation
Using living organisms to detoxify a polluted area is called ___________________.
Bioremediation