Ecology and Environmental Science Flashcard

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What is ocean acidification?

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Ocean acidification is the process by which seawater becomes more acidic due to the absorption of carbon dioxide (CO2) from the atmosphere.

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What causes ocean acidification?

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Ocean acidification occurs primarily due to the absorption of CO2 by seawater, which leads to a decrease in pH levels.

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What is nutrient runoff?

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Nutrient runoff refers to the flow of excess nutrients, such as nitrogen and phosphorus, from land into water bodies, often due to agricultural practices.

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How does nutrient runoff affect aquatic ecosystems?

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Nutrient runoff can lead to algal blooms, which deplete oxygen in the water and harm aquatic life.

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What is the impact of uncontrolled population growth on resources?

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Uncontrolled population growth increases competition for limited resources, leading to scarcity and potential conflict.

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What are renewable resources?

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Renewable resources are natural resources that can be replenished naturally over time, such as solar energy, wind energy, and biomass.

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What is the importance of recycling?

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Recycling helps conserve resources, reduces waste, and minimizes environmental impact by reusing materials.

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How does climate change affect biodiversity?

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Climate change can force species to migrate to new habitats or face extinction due to changing environmental conditions.

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What is biodiversity?

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Biodiversity refers to the variety of life in a particular habitat or ecosystem, including the diversity of species, genetic variation, and ecosystem diversity.

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What is the greenhouse effect?

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The greenhouse effect is the warming of Earth's surface due to the trapping of heat by greenhouse gases in the atmosphere.