Impact of Human Activities on Biodiversity

The rate at which species are going extinct. This rate has been dramatically increased by human activities.

Humans have drastically increased the rate of extinctions, potentially even causing a sixth mass extinction event.

Changing the environment where animals and plants live, often by cutting down forests, building cities, or farming land.

Cutting down trees to clear land for other uses, like farming or construction.

The process of removing trees from an area, leading to increased CO2 levels and negative impacts on the environment.

A measure of the amount of oxygen consumed by microorganisms in a water sample over a five-day period at 20 degrees Celsius.

The process of nutrient enrichment in a body of water, often leading to excessive algal growth and oxygen depletion.

A type of algae that thrives in nutrient-rich waters, some of which produce toxins harmful to humans and animals.

A water body with low nutrient concentration, typically characterized by clear water.

The main source of excess nitrogen in marine ecosystems.

The main source of excess phosphorus in freshwater ecosystems.

A situation where the city of Flint, Michigan switched water sources, resulting in the release of lead from pipes and plumbing fixtures.

The process of reducing the amount of pollution entering bodies of water.

A collection of interacting components that produce outcomes that individual components cannot achieve alone.

The principle that matter cannot be created or destroyed, only transformed.

A closed system is isolated from its surroundings, with no exchange of matter or energy. An open system exchanges both matter and energy with its surroundings. Open systems can adapt to changing conditions.

The study of the interactions between living organisms and their physical environment.

The study of the Earth's systems as a whole, including interactions between the atmosphere, hydrosphere, lithosphere, and biosphere.

A property that arises from the interaction of multiple components within a system. It's greater than the sum of its parts.

A system that is self-sustaining and self-regulating, with no external inputs required.

A research facility designed to mimic a closed ecological system, but it failed to sustain human life due to unexpected complexities.

Ozone (O3) in the stratosphere, a layer of the atmosphere, protects Earth from harmful ultraviolet (UV) radiation.

Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), once commonly used in aerosols and refrigerators, break down in the stratosphere, releasing chlorine atoms that destroy ozone molecules.

The ozone layer naturally renews itself by splitting oxygen gas (O2) into oxygen atoms (O) through UV light, which then combine with another oxygen molecule to form ozone (O3).

A decrease in the amount of ozone in the stratosphere, particularly over Antarctica, leading to increased UV radiation reaching Earth.

A significant decrease in ozone concentration over Antarctica during springtime, caused by the presence of ozone-depleting chemicals and specific atmospheric conditions.

The Montreal Protocol, adopted in 1987, aimed to phase out the production and consumption of ozone-depleting substances like CFCs, leading to a gradual recovery of the ozone layer.

The isolation of the atmosphere over Antarctica during winter, due to a strong high-pressure system, traps ozone-depleting chemicals and facilitates ozone depletion.

Rain with high acidity levels, mainly caused by sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides released from burning fossil fuels, which can damage the environment and human health.

The total amount of water moving through a particular point in a river or stream per second.

A large geographic area where all water drains into a common river, lake, or ocean.

A line of high ground that separates different drainage basins, directing water flow.

The proportion of a material made up of empty spaces.

The ability of a material to allow water to flow through it.

An ecosystem in a lake, pond, or other relatively still body of water.

An ecosystem in a flowing water system like a river or stream.

The length of time a water molecule spends in a specific reservoir or part of the Earth's hydrosphere.

The process where water soaks into the ground.

The vertical movement of water through the soil and rock layers.

A species whose protection indirectly safeguards other species that rely on similar habitats.

Areas designated for the protection of natural ecosystems, often managed by federal agencies.

A strategy for managing populations of a specific species by ensuring their long-term survival and healthy numbers.

The ability of a population to persist over time, considering factors like habitat quality and size.

Land areas managed by the US Forest Service for multiple uses, including timber harvests, recreation, and wildlife conservation.

A network of protected areas connected by corridors allowing species to move between them.

Area where ecosystems are safeguarded and natural processes are allowed to function undisturbed.

Areas set aside for recreation and conservation, often located around reservoirs created by dams.

Substances that cannot be broken down into simpler substances.

The smallest unit of an element that retains the properties of that element.

A substance formed when atoms of two or more different elements bond together.

Atoms with a net electrical charge, either positive or negative.

Two or more atoms held together by chemical bonds.

A substance that is harmful in its directly emitted form, such as carbon monoxide from car exhaust.

Tiny particles and droplets less than 10 micrometers in size, suspended in air. They can cause respiratory problems, especially the smallest particles that can enter the bloodstream.

A mixture of secondary pollutants that forms when VOCs and nitrogen oxides react with sunlight at warm temperatures. It can damage lung tissue and plant life.

A situation where a layer of warm air traps a cooler layer of air below, preventing air circulation. This can trap polluted air over an area for a long time.

Products of chemical reactions that occur in the atmosphere, such as smog.

A colorless, odorless gas emitted from incomplete combustion in car exhaust. It accounts for more than 50% of air pollution by weight in the US and worldwide.

Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are released from burning fossil fuels or using carbon-based substances like paint or solvents.

The ozone layer protects Earth from harmful UV radiation. But it is depleted by ozone-depleting substances like CFCs.

A property that emerges from the interaction of multiple components within a system, resulting in characteristics that are greater than the sum of its individual parts.

A collection of interacting components that produce outcomes that each component could not achieve on its own.

A self-contained system that does not exchange matter or energy with its surroundings.

A system that exchanges both matter and energy with its surroundings.

The lowest layer of the atmosphere, extending from Earth's surface to about 10 miles up. Most of the atmosphere's mass is concentrated here. It's where weather happens.

The layer of the atmosphere above the troposphere, extending from 10 to 30 miles up. It contains the ozone layer, which protects us from harmful UV radiation.

The layer of the atmosphere above the stratosphere, extending from 30 to 50 miles up. It's extremely cold, with temperatures as low as -148 degrees Fahrenheit.

The outermost layer of the atmosphere, extending from 50 miles up. It's very thin and gets extremely hot due to absorption of solar radiation.

The rate at which a parcel of unsaturated (dry) air cools as it rises. Dry air cools faster than moist air.

The rate at which a parcel of saturated (moist) air cools as it rises. Moist air cools slower than dry air due to the release of latent heat from condensation.

A large body of air with relatively uniform temperature and humidity. They often extend for thousands of kilometers.

Characterized by sinking air, which creates higher pressure at the surface. Typically associated with clear, dry skies.

Characterized by rising air, which creates lower pressure at the surface. Typically associated with clouds and precipitation.

A method of managing forests that prioritizes both harvesting resources and maintaining biodiversity. It involves leaving patches of living and dead trees for habitat and avoiding logging on steep slopes to prevent erosion.

Grasses, with their base-level growth and extensive root systems, naturally tolerate periodic grazing. This can benefit grassland ecosystems by spreading seeds and fertilizing the soil. However, intensive livestock grazing can disrupt the balance and damage grasslands if not managed carefully.

Certain crops, like nuts and fruits, can provide habitat for specific species. Planting hedgerows of native plants around cultivated fields creates wildlife corridors and protects against wind erosion, promoting biodiversity.

Land-use planning determines how we organize our communities, including zoning ordinances that regulate development and human activities in specific areas. Strategic zoning can manage growth, prevent urban sprawl, and protect the environment.

To repair damage, restoration efforts focus on reversing negative impacts to ecosystems. For instance, replanting trees, restoring wetlands, or removing invasive species. This involves understanding the processes that led to the damage and creating conditions that favor natural recovery.

If the rate of births and immigration is equal to the rate of deaths and emigration, the population remains stable. Imagine a bathtub where water is flowing in and out at the same rate - the water level stays constant.

The carrying capacity is the maximum population size that a given environment can sustain, considering available resources. It's like a crowded party where everyone can still comfortably enjoy themselves. Once it gets too packed, there's a limit to how many people can fit.

Exponential growth occurs when a population increases rapidly over time due to ideal conditions. It's like a snowball rolling down a hill - it starts small and quickly gains momentum.

Density-dependent factors, such as limited resources or increased competition, influence a population based on its density. It's like a crowded train where passengers squeeze together and feel the impact of limited space.

Extinction is the complete disappearance of a species. It's like losing a book forever from the library - a permanent loss.