Environmental Sci Unit 2 Study Guide

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What is global warming?

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Global warming refers to the long-term increase in Earth's average surface temperature due to human activities, primarily the emission of greenhouse gases.

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List three effects of global warming.

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1. Hotter temperatures 2. More severe storms 3. Rising sea levels

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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 number of species, genetic diversity, and ecosystem diversity.

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What is habitat destruction?

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Habitat destruction is the process in which natural habitat is rendered unable to support the species present, often due to human activities like mining, deforestation, and urban development.

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What is the primary cause of climate change according to most climate scientists?

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Human activity is primarily responsible for rising temperatures and related climate change.

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What are greenhouse gases?

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Greenhouse gases are gases in Earth's atmosphere that trap heat, including carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), and nitrous oxide (N2O).

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How do human activities affect greenhouse gas levels?

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Human activities have produced greenhouse gases in quantities that exceed the offsetting capacity of natural sinks, leading to an increase in atmospheric concentrations.

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What is ecological succession?

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Ecological succession is the process by which ecosystems change and develop over time, often following a disturbance.

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What is an example of a human activity that threatens biodiversity?

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Mining operations, such as mountaintop removal, which destroy habitats and ecosystems.

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What is an invasive species?

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An invasive species is a non-native species that spreads widely in a new habitat, often causing harm to native species and ecosystems.