ths general biology unit 1 our environment part 2_climate change and human activity notes_v1516
TRANSCRIPT
Unit 1 Notes:
Biology
Climate Change &
Human Activity
(1) Climate
Climate: Average, annual conditions of temperature and precipitation in Earth-regions.
Weather = day to day conditions.
Climate is Impacted By:– Earth’s tilt, rotation, orbit– Location of Land and Water masses– Wind and Water Currents– Concentrations of Greenhouse Gases, Organisms, Inorganic
Compounds
(2) Greenhouse Effect
Greenhouse Effect: The containment of heat on Earth due to shielding gases.
Greenhouse Gases: Gases which absorb heat, subsequently warming earth’s atmosphere.– Carbon Dioxide– Methane– Water Vapor
(3) Climate Change
Climate Change: A regular, natural change in the earth’s climates due to a variety of factors working together.
Cause:– Any one of the factors which impacts
climate– Humans are not helping
(4) Evidence for Climate Change
Record of the climate changing regularly and frequently in the past (naturally).
Change in ice caps and water levels. Change in severity of storms and shifts in
atmospheric temperatures. Change in survival of climate-specific plants
and animals.
(5) Human Activities of Concern
Over-Use of Fossil Fuels & Natural Resources
Over-Production of Waste & Pollution
Damage to Ecosystems
Altering Ecosystem Stability
(6) Biomagnification
Also known as “bioamplification”.
Occurs when a chemical compound is released into an ecosystem, and higher level heterotrophs receive/contain larger amounts.
EXAMPLE Why Does This Happen?– A pesticide is absorbed by plankton.– A small fish eats 100 plankton, each with the pesticide.– A large fish eats 50 small fish (each with 100 plankton).– A shark eats 5 large fish (each with 50 small fish).
(7) Invasive Species
When non-native species of organisms move into an ecosystem and disrupt the balance and stability.
Results:– The non-native organisms might over-use resources.– The non-native organisms might end up killing off native
organisms.
How Does This Happen?– Can happen naturally with changes in climate, wind, water
patterns.– Mostly happens due to humans transporting foreign
organisms into new habitats.