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Intro to Environmental Studies - Coggle Diagram
Intro to Environmental Studies
Chapter 3
Ecology: study of distribution and abundance of organisms and processes that influence this, their interactions, and their environment
Environmental Factors
Optimal range – best response occurs for an organism
Range of tolerance – entire span that allows for growth
Zones of stress – between optimal range and high/low limits of tolerance
Limits of tolerance – high/low ends of range of tolerance
Ecological Hierachy
Linean Taxonomy
Kingdom, Phylum, Class, Order, Family, Genus, and Species.
Biospehere
Biomes
Landscape
Ecosystems and Ecotones
Communities
Populations
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4 environmental spheres that are encompassed within our planet
Atmosphere :Air is a mixture of pure substances:
Hydrosphere
Lithosphere: minerals -naturally occurring solids synthesized through geological processes
Hydrogen bonding responsible for
Adhesion: water molecules attracted to solid
Cohesion: water molecules attracted to each
Chapter 4
Population Dynamics
Population: group of species living in certain area
Biotic Potential: number of offspring under ideal conditions
Reproductive Strategists
Limits on Population
Evolution
Natural selection: process of specific traits favoring survival of certain individuals
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Competition
Predation
Density dependent vs. independent limits
Critical number
K strategists: Few offspring in a stable environment
R strategists: Many offspring in an unstable environment
Environmental Resistance-limits biotic potential
– Biotic vs. abiotic factors cause mortality and limit population increase
Population Growth Curves
Constant straight line
Exponential J curve
Logistical S curve
Chapter 5
Trophic Levels
Ecosystem Disturbances
Ecosystem Sustainability
Restoration
Abiotic factors unaltered or can be returned to original state
• Viable populations formerly inhabiting ecosystem must still exist
• Must not be upset by foreign species that we cannot remove
Primary: area lacking plants and soils is initially
invaded by plants when soil forms
Secondary: area cleared by fire, human activity or flooding and then left alone, is reinvaded by plants and animals from other ecosystems
Aquatic: soil particles eroded from land or plant
detritus build up in ponds or lakes, eventually filling them
Quaternary Consumer
Tertiary Consumer
Secondary Consumer
Primary Consumer
Primary Produce
Chapter 6
Biological wealth
Biodiversity Decline
Invasive species – organisms not native to area that causes environmental damage
Accidental
Deliberate
Gradual
Habitat Destruction: greatest source of loss
Conversion
Fragmentation
Simplification
Intrusion of other species
Conservation
Endangered species legislation
• Lacey Act
• Endangered Species Act
– Listing
– Critical Habitat – Recovery Plans
International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN)
• Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Flora and Fauna (CITES)
• Convention on Biological Diversity
• Critical Ecosystem Partnership Fund
Instrumental value: Value for humans
Food and raw materials
Sources for medicine
Recreational
Intrinsic value: Value for own sake
Land ethics
Religious support: religious reasons for existence
Chapter 7
Ecosystem capital
exploit resources and then lose sight of their ecological value
Ecosystem Uses
Consumptive: harvest food, shelter, tools, fuel, and clothing
• Common in developing countries and even in rural US
– Productive: exploitation for economic gain • Enormous source of revenue
Ecosystem Protection
Conservation: management and regulation of ecosystem use
Preservation: ensure continuity (of ecosystem
or species), regardless of potential utility
Restoration
restoring damaged ecosystems
Florida Everglades Example
Consequences of deforestation
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– Decreased water flowing to this area from farming and residencies
– 36 years; $11 Billion in bondage • Water Reversions
• Land Buyout
Last resort – land protection by law
Wilderness given greatest protection
• 109 million acres of land (4%)
– National Parks and Wildlife Refuges second
2nd greatest protection
• 84 to 96 million acres of land
– National Forests third greatest protection
• 740 million acres although 2/3 managed for commercial timber
• Roadless Controversy
Non-federal lands fourth greatest protection
Typically through land trusts
Maximum Sustainable Yield (MSY): highest possible rate of use system can match with own rate of replacement/maintenance
Private ownership
Communal ownership
State ownership
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