Details Title: APES 1st Semester Final Description: N/A Total Flash Cards: 44 Created: 01/27/2009 21:59:12		New Users: To study from this flashcard set, or to create your own your own study flash cards, REGISTER HERE. Existing Users: CLICK HERE. Additional Environmental Studies Flashcards
Cards in this set: Term First Law of Thermodynamics Definition energy is neither created nor destroyed, but may beconverted from one form to another Term Second Law of Thermodynamics: Definition 1.     when energy is changed from one form to another,some useful energy is always degraded into lower quality energy (usually heat) Term Leaching Definition  removal of dissolved materials from soil by water moving downwards Term Parts of the hydrologic cycle: Definition evaporation, transpiration, runoff, condensation,precipitation, infiltration Term   Nitrogen fixing: Definition because atmospheric N cannot be used directly by plants it must first be converted into ammonia by bacteria Term Ammoniafication: Definition decomposers covert organic waste into ammonia Term Nitrification: Definition ammonia is converted to nitrate ions (NO-3) Term     Assimilation: Definition inorganic N is converted into organic molecules such as DNA/aminoacids & proteins Term Denitrification: Definition bacteria convert ammonia back into N Term Phosphorus Definition does not circulate as easily as N because: it does not exist as a gas, but isreleased by weathering of phosphate rocks Term   Sustainability: Definition the ability to meet humanities current needs without compromising theability of future generations to meet their needs Term   Photosynthesis: Definition plants convert atmospheric C (CO2) into complex carbohydrates(glucose C6H12O6) Term Aerobic respiration: Definition  oxygen consuming producers, consumers & decomposers breakdown complex organic compounds & convert C back into CO2 Term Largest reservoirs of Carbon: Definition carbonate rocks first, oceans second Term Biome: Definition large distinct terrestrial region having similar climate, soil, plants & animals Term Carrying capacity: Definition the number of individuals that can be sustained in an area Term     R Strategist v K Strategist Definition     R strategist: reproduce early, many small unprotected offspring K strategist:reproduce late, few, cared for offspring Term  Positive feedback: Definition when a change in some condition triggers a response that intensifies the changing condition (EX: warmer Earth - snow melts - less sunlight isreflected & more is absorbed, therefore warmer earth) Term      Malthus: Definition said human population cannot continue to increase. Consequences will be war, famine & disease Term   Doubling time: Definition   rule of 70 70 divided by the percent growth rate Term   Replacement level fertility: Definition the number of children a couple must have to replacethemselves (2.1 developed, 2.7 developing) Term World Population is: Definition almost 6 1/2 billion US Population: 299 million Term  Preindustrial stage: Definition birth & death rates high, population grows slowly, infantmortality high Term     Transitional stage: Definition death rate lower, better health care, population grows fast Term     Industrial stage: Definition decline in birth rate, population growth slows Term     Postindustrial stage: Definition     low birth & death rates Term  Age structure diagrams: Definition (broad base, rapid growth)(narrow base, negativegrowth)(uniform shape, zero growth) Term   1st & 2nd most populated countries: Definition   China & India Term Most important thing affecting population growth: Definition low status of women Term Ways to decrease birth rate: Definition family planning, contraception, economic rewards &penalties Term   Negative feedback: Definition when a changing in some condition triggers a response that Counteracts the changed condition (EX: warmer earth - more ocean evaporation - more Stratus clouds - less sunlight reaches the ground - therefore cooler Earth Term   Greenhouse gases: Definition (Examples: H2O, CO2, O3, methane (CH4), CFC’s) (EFFECT:they trap outgoing infrared (heat) energy causing earth to warm Term       Effects of global warming: Definition rising sea level (thermal expansion), extreme weather,droughts (famine), extinctions Term    Ozone depletion caused by: Definition CFC’s, methyl chloroform, carbon tetrachloride, halon,methyl bromide all of which attack stratospheric ozone Term  Effects of ozone depletion: Definition increased UV, skin cancer, cataracts, decreased plantgrowth Term     Keystone species: Definition species whose role in an ecosystem are more important than others,ex sea otter Term   Indicator species: Definition species that serve as early warnings that an ecosystem is beingdamaged ex trout Term   Most endangered species share the following similarities (3)  Definition have a small range, require large territory or live on anisland Term    Endangered species:  (List examples) Definition North spotted Owl (loss of old growth forest), Bald Eagle (thinning of eggs caused by DDT), Piping Plover (nesting areas threatened bydevelopment) Term  Garret Hardin & The Tragedy of the Commons: Definition Freedom to breed is bringing ruin toall. Global commons such as atmosphere & oceans are used by all and owned by none Term  Kyoto Protocol: Definition controlling global warming by setting greenhouse gas emissionstargets for developed countries Term     Montreal Protocol: Definition phase-out of ozone deleting substances Term      Endangered Species Act: Definition identifies threatened and endangered species in the US, andputs their protection ahead of economic considerations Term Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species: Definition lists species that cannot becommercially traded as live specimens or wildlife products