Invasive Species
This term describes a non-native species that spreads rapidly and causes ecological or economic harm.
What is an invasive species?
This kind of energy measures the amount of stored energy that can possibly do work.
What is potential energy?
This human activity removes large areas of trees for agriculture, logging, or development.
What is deforestation?
These organisms represent the first trophic level and convert solar or chemical energy into organic compounds.
What are Primary Producers
this animal is hunted for ivory
what is elephant?
This is one major reason invasive species often outcompete native species in new environments.
What is the lack of natural predators?
(Also acceptable: rapid reproduction / high adaptability)
This is a corporation that manages and operates the majority of the electrical grid in Texas
What is ERCOT (Electrical Reliability Council of Texas)
This process occurs when cities expand into previously undeveloped land, increasing habitat fragmentation.
What is urbanization?
This rule of thermodynamics explains why energy is lost as heat at each trophic transfer, typically resulting in only a 10% transfer rate.
What is the Second Law of Thermodynamics
This animal found in Florida, is also called a sea cow
what is manatee?
This invasive species has caused major ecological damage in the southern United States by uprooting vegetation and competing with native wildlife.
What are feral hogs?
This is often unexpected and it is a complete interruption of power to an area commonly caused by equipment failure or severe weather conditions.
What is a total blackout?
This environmental issue happens when fertilizers and runoff cause excessive algae growth in lakes and rivers.
What is eutrophication?
Adding high amounts of nitrogen to a pond causes an algae bloom; however, the fish don't die from the algae itself, but from the lack of this gas when the algae eventually decomposes
What is Dissolved Oxygen
this Species is endangered from the ocean being polluted by eating things such plastic bags and plastic straws
what are sea turtles? (Hawksbill and Kemp’s ridley)
This process occurs when an invasive species alters food webs and reduces biodiversity within an ecosystem.
What is ecosystem disruption?
(Also acceptable: loss of biodiversity)
This non-renewable chemical energy is the primary source of energy in the United States.
What is petroleum (oil)?
This term describes the gradual degradation of land in dry regions due to overgrazing, deforestation, or poor farming practices.
What is desertification?
These species, such as sea otters or wolves, have a disproportionately large effect on their natural environment relative to their abundance, often preventing a trophic cascade.
What are Keystone Species
this animal has approximately 10 or fewer individuals left in the world. and is the world's rarest marine mammal
what is The Vaquita (Phocoena sinus) ?
This federal law helps prevent the introduction and spread of harmful invasive species in the United States.
What is the Lacey Act?
This is associated with the movement of sound energy through substances that align with the direction of vibration.
What is longitudinal waves?
This global issue is primarily driven by the burning of fossil fuels and leads to rising temperatures and shifting climate patterns.
What is climate change?
This specific biological process, performed primarily by bacteria in anaerobic conditions, converts nitrates back into nitrogen gas, completing the cycle.
What is denitrification
This species is Steve Irwin’s favorite endangered animal
what is the crocodile?