epli

• What is an ecosystem?


  a community of living organisms and their physical environment
• Which of the following is an example of a biotic factor in an ecosystem?

  Plants
• Which of the following is an example of an abiotic factor in an ecosystem?

  Rocks
• What is biodiversity 


  The variety of living organisms in an ecosystem
• Which of the following is NOT an abiotic factor?

  trees
• Which of the following best describes an organism?

  A living thing that can perform life processes
• What is the primary source of energy in most ecosystems?

  Sunlight
• Which of the following is an example of a decomposer?

  Mushroom
• Which term refers to the variety of ecosystems?

  Ecosystem diversity
• which of the following is an example of a biotic interaction

  A lion hunting zebra
• What is the term for the role a species plays in its ecosystem?

  Niche
• Which of the following is an example of a keystone speicies?

  Beavers
• Which factor contributes to genetic diversity in a population?

  Mutation
• What is the term for the process by which organisms gradually change over time through natural selection?

  Evolution
• Which of the following is an example of an invasive species?

  Kudzu vine in the southwestern US
• What is the term for the study of the interactions between living organisms and their environment?

  Ecology
• Human-made structures is not a component of an ecosystem
• The organisms that eat the producers are the primary consumers. They tend to be small in size and there are many of them. The primary consumers are herbivores (vegetarians).
• The organisms that eat the primary consumers are meat eaters (carnivores) and are called the secondary consumers.
• What is the term for the process by which plants use sunlight to make food?

  Photosynthesis
• Locations with a high number of endemic species is the best description for biodiversity hotspots
• Biodiversity hotspots are regions that contain a high level of species diversity, many endemic species (species not found anywhere else in the world) and a significant number of threatened or endangered species.
• Climate Change refers to the change in the usual weather found in a place
• these shifts may be natural such as through variations in the solar cycle

  Climate Change
• This is a term for too much dryness

  El Nino
• This is a term for too much floods

  La Nina
• 75% of the global greenhouse emissions
• Environmental pollution is the addition of any substance (solid, liquid, or gas) or any form of energy to the environment at a rate faster than it can be dispersed, diluted, decomposed, recycled, or stored harmlessly
• Pollution introduces harmful materials into the environment, known as pollutants
• Types of pollution based on causes:

  • Air pollution: occurs in the air due to the entry of contaminants that exceed normal limits
  • Water pollution: is the mixing of contaminants and water through rivers, beaches, lakes, and groundwater, resulting in decreased water quality
  • Soil pollution: is the mixing of pollutant substances with the soil
• Air pollution is the release into the atmosphere of various gases, finely divided solids, or finely dispersed liquid aerosols at rates that exceed the natural capacity of the environment to dissipate and dilute or absorb them
• Major Air Pollutants:

  • Carbon Monoxide (CO): from automobile emissions, fires, and industrial processes, contributes to smog formation and health issues
  • Nitrogen Oxides (NO and NO2): from automobile emissions, electricity generation, and industrial processes, damages foliage and contributes to smog formation
  • Sulfur Dioxide (SO2): by-product of electricity generation, fossil-fuel combustion, industrial processes, and automobile emissions, major cause of haze and acid rain formation
  • Ozone (O3): from industrial and automobile emissions, gasoline vapors, chemical solvents, and electrical utilities, interferes with plant respiration
• Water pollution refers to the release of substances such as chemicals, trash, or microorganisms into water bodies, affecting water quality and ecosystem functioning
• Types and Sources of Water Pollutants:

  • Domestic Sewage: primary source of pathogens and putrescible organic substances, endangering public health and aquatic organisms
  • Solid Waste: includes garbage, rubbish, electronic waste, and construction waste, leaching harmful chemicals into water
  • Toxic Waste: poisonous, radioactive, or carcinogenic waste from industrial plants and chemical facilities
  • Sediment: result of soil erosion or construction activity, disrupting aquatic ecosystems
• Land pollution refers to the deposition of solid or liquid waste materials on land or underground, contaminating soil and groundwater, and threatening public health
• Causes of Land Pollution:

  • Deforestation: eliminates wildlife habitats and degrades soil
  • Agricultural Activities: overuse of toxic fertilizers and pesticides contaminates soil
  • Mining Activities: strip mining removes topsoil and contributes to erosion
  • Overcrowded Landfills: liners may fail over time, leading to soil contamination
• Fossil fuels are the largest contributor to global climate change, accounting for over 75% of global greenhouse emissions and nearly 90% of all carbon dioxide emissions
• Greenhouse gases responsible for the greenhouse effect include carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, water vapor (occurs naturally), and fluorinated gases (synthetic)
• Generating electricity and heat by burning fossil fuels causes a large chunk of global emissions
• Manufacturing and industry produce emissions, mostly from burning fossil fuels to produce energy for making goods like cement, iron, steel, electronics, plastic, and clothes