Biodiversity
Define biodiversity
The variety of life on Earth.
Give 2 reasons to explain why our carbon footprint as Canadians is usually larger than someone's in Cuba.
Sample answers: because we are big country with large distances to travel, usually by fossil fuel burning vehicles and without extensive public transportation bw communities, bc we have have to heat our homes, bc we are a consumer society, ...
The first organism (life form) to use the sun as an energy source to grow was a ...
bacteria
Define/Describe sustainble.
A process that can be carried on by future generations indefinitely.
Absorbs more caron than it emits
carbon sink
Give an example of a high biodiveristy and a low biodiversity environment in the Kawarthas.
Sample answers: high -- forest, wetlands; low -- parking lots, subdivisions
What is the difference between carbon offset and carbon neutral?
Carbon offset is an activity that reduces emissions. Carbon neutral is what we are aiming for -- where emissions out = carbon absorption elsewhere (and offsetting is how we might get there)
List 2 causes of past mass extinctions.
Natural climate change, asteroid hitting Earth
List 2 things in this classroom that are unsustainable. Explain.
E.g., Our technology will likely only last a few years then be discarded, sometimes it's too hot in the room (wasted energy for heating)
A type of growing that uses water and fish to provide nutrients to plants.
Aquaponics
Sample answer: bc organisms are interdependent (feed each other) and the loss of some species can result in the loss of others
3 ways to offset carbon
Examples: turn off electricity-consuming devices, walk don't drive, use renewable energy sources, use energy efficient devices, plant trees (so long as they grow up) pay an organization to plant trees or otherwise absorb carbon, ...
Why/How was the evolution of seeds and eggs so important to plant and animal survival?
Seeds and eggs have the nutrients and protection for embryonic plants and animals to start growing -- they can grow in a greater variety of environments.
Give 3 ideas to make the school more sustainable.
Example: solar panels on roof, living roof, automatic shutdown of lights and technology at night, ...
A roof that has plants on it intentionally
Living roof or green roof
An ecosystem has a Simpson Index of 0.013. Is it highly biodiverse or lacking in biodiversity? How do you know?
It is highly biodiverse bc the number is low.
The 3 main greenhouse gases humans are putting into the atmosphere.
carbon dioxide, methane & nitrous oxide
Tip of middle finger nail.
List 4 aspects of life that should be redesigned to be more sustainable (must be distinct ideas).
E.g., transportation, heating, electricity sources, food, clothing
An environment that has very high biodiversity.
Biodiversity hotspot
Compare the species richness and evenness bw these ecosystems.
Ecosystem 1: Species A - 30, Species B - 27, Species C -- 25
Ecosystem 2: Species A - 5, Species B - 2, Species C- 7, Species D - 9, Species E - 3
Ecosystem 1 has less species richness but more species evenness than Ecosystem 2.
Nitrous oxide is a more potent greenhouse gas than carbon dioxide. So why is the focus almost always on "carbon"?
Because we emit so much more of it that it ends u being a big problem. Also, so many of our activities release carbon so there are more opportunities to reduce our output.
What is a feedback loop and give one example in nature.
Sample Answer: A cycle that has a product that is used as an input for the same process -- e.g., Snowball Earth (cooling temperature -> snow -> more sunlight reflected -> cooling temp)
What is meant by "loopy" design and why is it better than what we mostly do now?
E.g., The design process should mimic nature so it should be a circle so that when a product is made, after it is used up, it can be repurposed rather than becoming garbage.
The four types of biodiversity
Genetic, Species, Ecosystem, Cultural