ES Final Review

Front

What is a watershed?

Back

A watershed is an area of land where all the water that falls as precipitation drains into a common outlet, such as a river, lake, or ocean.

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What is coral bleaching?

Back

Coral bleaching is a phenomenon where corals lose their vibrant colors and turn white due to stress factors like increased water temperatures, leading to the expulsion of symbiotic algae.

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What is eutrophication?

Back

Eutrophication is the process by which water bodies become overly enriched with nutrients, leading to excessive growth of algae and depletion of oxygen.

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Why is the atmosphere important for life?

Back

The atmosphere contains essential gases like oxygen and carbon dioxide, which are crucial for respiration and photosynthesis, and it protects living organisms from harmful UV radiation.

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How do bacteria contribute to the nitrogen cycle?

Back

Bacteria in the soil convert atmospheric nitrogen into ammonia and nitrates, which are forms of nitrogen that plants can absorb and use for growth.

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What are harmful algal blooms?

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Harmful algal blooms are rapid increases in the population of algae in water bodies, which can produce toxins harmful to aquatic life and humans.

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What role do plants play in a watershed?

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Plants help absorb rainfall, reduce runoff, and filter pollutants, playing a crucial role in maintaining the health of a watershed.

Front

What is the greenhouse effect?

Back

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

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What is biodiversity?

Back

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

Front

What is the significance of dissolved oxygen in water?

Back

Dissolved oxygen is essential for the survival of aquatic organisms, as it is required for respiration in fish and other aquatic life.