Unit 1 Review: Ecosystems

Introduction to Ecosystems

• Predator-Prey Relationship: Predators eat prey.
• Symbiosis: Interaction between species. Types:
  • Mutualism
  • Commensalism
  • Parasitism
• Competition: Occurs within/between species for limited resources.
• Resource Partitioning: Different use of resources to reduce competition.

Food Webs and Food Chains

• Food Web: Models energy, nutrient flow in multiple food chains.
• Feedback Loops: Removal/addition of species affects the food web.

Trophic Levels

• Energy Flow: From sun → producers → higher trophic levels.

Primary Productivity

• Definition: Rate solar energy converts to organic compounds.
• GPP: Total rate of photosynthesis.
• NPP: Rate of energy storage post respiration losses.
• Light Absorption: Plants use red, blue light; oceanic photosynthesizers adapt to blue & green light.

Energy Flow and the 10% Rule

• 10% Rule: Only 10% energy transfers to next trophic level.
• Thermodynamics: Energy converts to heat, total energy constant.

The Carbon Cycle

• Cycle: Movement of carbon between sources & sinks (e.g., atmosphere, organisms).
• Reservoirs: Long-term (fossil carbon), short-term (modern carbon).
• Processes: Photosynthesis, respiration, decomposition, fossil fuel burning.

The Nitrogen Cycle

• Major Reservoir: Atmosphere.
• Nitrogen Fixation: Conversion of N2 to usable forms by bacteria.

The Phosphorus Cycle

• Cycle: Movement between sources/sinks, majorly in rocks.
• Limiting Factor: No atmospheric phosphorus.

The Hydrologic Cycle

• Cycle: Movement of water between states, powered by the sun.

Terrestrial Biomes

• Biomes: Characteristic communities adapted to their climate (e.g., taiga, rainforest).
• Resource Distribution: Influenced by climate and geography.

Aquatic Biomes

• Freshwater: Streams, rivers, lakes vital for drinking water.
• Marine: Oceans, reefs; algae critical for oxygen supply.

Unit 2 Review: Biodiversity

Intro to Biodiversity

• Components: Genetic, species, habitat diversity.
• Genetic Diversity: Aids response to stressors, prevents bottleneck loss.
• Species Richness: Variety of species in an ecosystem.

Adaptations

• Adaptation: Genetic changes over time; crucial for survival.

Generalist & Specialist Species

• Specialists: Thrive in constant environments.
• Generalists: Thrive in changing environments.

Island Biogeography

• Study: Organism distribution on islands, community structures.
• Specialization and Invasives: Limited resources lead to specialization; invasives can threaten specialists.

K- and r- Selected Species

• K-Selected: Few offspring, high investment, long life span.
• r-Selected: Many offspring, low investment, short life span.
• Biotic Potential: Max reproductive rate in ideal conditions.

Ecological Tolerance

• Tolerance: Conditions range organism can endure before harm.

Ecosystem Services

• Categories: Provisioning, regulating, cultural, supporting.

Natural Disruptions to Ecosystems

• Disruptions: Natural/periodic/random events can affect ecosystems.

Ecological Succession

• Types: Primary (no soil) and Secondary (soil present).
• Keystone and Indicator Species: Critical roles in ecosystem structure.

Unit 3: Populations

Ecological Footprints

• Comparison: Resource demands vs waste production.

Introduction to Sustainability

• Sustainability: Resource use without depletion.

Carrying Capacity

• Overshoot: Population exceeds available resources.

Population Growth and Resource Availability

• Growth Factors: Limited by resources and space.

Survivorship Curves

• Types: Type I, II, III; different for K-/r-selected species.

Age Structure Diagrams

• Population Growth: Analyzed via diagram shape.

Unit 4: Earth Systems

Plate Tectonics

• Theory: Motion of Earth's plates.

Soil Formation and Erosion

• Process: Weathering and decomposition add nutrients.

Watersheds

• Definition: Area draining to common outlet.

Earth’s Geography and Climate

• Influences: Sun, latitude, geography.

Earth’s Atmosphere

• Layers: Troposphere, stratosphere, etc.

Solar Radiation & Seasons

• Source: Earth’s main energy source, varies with season/latitude.

Global Wind Patterns

• Result: From solar radiation and Earth's rotation.

El Niño and La Niña

• Phenomena: Ocean temperature changes affecting climate.

Unit 5: Land and Water Use

Tragedy of the Commons

• Concept: Shared resources used for individual gain, leading to depletion.

The Green Revolution

• Shift: New agricultural strategies for food production.

Impacts of Agricultural Practices

• Environmental Damage: Tilling, slash-and-burn, etc.

Irrigation Methods

• Types: Drip, flood, furrow, spray; each with pros/cons.

Pest Control Methods

• Resistance: Organisms can become resistant via artificial selection.

Meat Production Methods

• Efficiency: Less efficient than plant-based production.

Impacts of Overfishing

• Scarcity: Reduces biodiversity, affects commerce.

Integrated Pest Management

• Approach: Combines methods to control pests with minimal disruption.

Sustainable Agriculture

• Methods: Soil conservation, crop rotation, etc.

Aquaculture

• Expansion: Efficient but can lead to environmental issues.

Sustainable Forestry

• Mitigation: Reforestation, sustainable techniques.

Clearcutting

• Effects: Soil erosion, climate change impacts.

Unit 6: Energy Resources and Consumption

Renewable and Nonrenewable Resources

• Nonrenewable: Fixed amount, hard to replace.
• Renewable: Naturally replenished.

Global Energy Consumption

• Distribution: Not even; varies by development.

Fuel Types and Uses

• Variety: Wood, coal, natural gas, etc.

Fossil Fuels

• Combustion: Generates energy, releases CO2.

Nuclear Power

• Fission: Splits atoms, produces energy.

Energy from Biomass

• Biomass: Low-cost but emits pollutants.

Solar Energy

• Solar Cells: Convert sunlight to electricity.

Hydroelectric Power

• Generation: Water movement spins turbines.

Geothermal Energy

• Source: Earth’s heat used to generate power.

Hydrogen Fuel Cell

• Alternative: Hydrogen + oxygen → water + energy.

Wind Energy

• Turbines: Convert wind to electricity.

Energy Conservation

• Methods: Efficient appliances, transportation, etc.

Unit 7: Air Pollution

Indoor Air Pollutants

• Types: Asphyxiants, particulates, VOCs.

Introduction to Outdoor Air Pollution

• Sources: Fossil fuel combustion, emissions.

Acid Rain

• Cause: Nitrogen/sulfur oxides, affects soils/water.

Photochemical Smog

• Formation: NOx + VOCs + sunlight.

Air Pollution Solutions

• Reduction: Catalytic converters, scrubbers, etc.

Stratospheric Ozone Depletion

• Cause: CFCs, ice crystals.

Noise Pollution

• Sources: Urban activities, affects animals.

Unit 8: Water Pollution & Human Health

Pathogens

• Infections: Spread through vectors, environmental conditions.

Sources of Pollution

• Types: Point and nonpoint sources.

Human Impacts on Ecosystems

• Damage: Coral reefs, sedimentation.

Oil Pollution

• Spills: Affect wildlife, economies.

Nutrient Pollution & Eutrophication

• Effects: Algal blooms, oxygen depletion.

Thermal Pollution

• Heat: Affects aquatic life.

Bioaccumulation and Biomagnification

• Increase: Toxins in higher trophic levels.

Types of Toxins

• Effects: Neurotoxins, carcinogens, endocrine disruptors.

Persistent Organic Pollutants

• POPs: Long-lasting, affects health.

Solid Waste Disposal

• Methods: Landfills, incineration.

Waste Reduction Methods

• Recycling: Reduces demand for new materials.

Sewage Treatment

• Treatment Steps: Primary, secondary, tertiary.

Unit 9: Global Change

The Greenhouse Effect

• Gases: CO2, methane, nitrous oxide.

Increases in Greenhouse Gases

• Effects: Climate change, sea level rise.

Global Climate Change

• Impacts: Temperature rise, habitat loss.

Ocean Warming

• Result: Coral bleaching, habitat changes.

Ocean Acidification

• Cause: Increased CO2, affects marine life.

Invasive Species

• Threat: Outcompete native species.

Endangered Species

• Risks: Habitat loss, selective pressures.

Human Impacts on Biodiversity

• HIPPCO: Factors reducing biodiversity.

Legislation

• Acts: Clean Air/Water Act, Endangered Species Act, etc.

Thermal Inversion

• Effect: Traps pollution close to ground.