Science

• Limiting factors refers to factors (abiotic and biotic), that can constrain a population size, slowing or even stopping it grow.
• Carrying capacity is a species average population size in a particular habitat.
• Green house effect;

  • solar energy passes through the atmosphere and warms the earth.
  • heat will eventually leave surface and return to space.
  • some of this heat is trapped in atmosphere.
  • these gases (CO2 and methane) help keep the earth warm.
• Ocean currents;

  • as temp increases, polar caps melt. This sends freshwater into the ocean, changing salinity and movement of water
• Sea ice and permafrost;

  • Increased temp leads to sea ice melting.
  • sea ice reflects radiation back to the atmosphere.
  • if this melts, global temp will increase.
  • permafrost has an abundance of CO2 stored within.
  • if this melts, more greenhouse gases in the atmosphere.
• Loss of biodiversity;

  • temps increase which causes environment change.
  • animals have adapted to certain temps.
  • too hot= animals cant survive or leave habitat.
  • this can alter food chain or lead to an increase in competition.
• Carbon Tax;

  • a process intended to make the social costs of carbon emissions from businesses visable.
  • they can purchase allowance or trade credits.
• Fire;

  • removes nitrogen by volatilization, increasing ammonia in the soil through decomposition.
  • due to fire, soil becomes hydrophobic. Run off will contain ash/ charcoal.
  • by consuming organic matter it removes carbon sinks. releasing more greenhouse gases. plants not immediately killed, rapidly decompose, releasing co2
• Drought;

  • co2 in atmosphere rises faster.
  • limiting photosynthesis.
  • leading to a decrease in co2 absorption.
  • decrease hydration for microbes and bacteria that fix nitrogen.
  • decrease in nitrogen rich soil.
  • decrease precipitation, results in plants dying.