Ecology Review SB5d,e: Human Impacts

Front

What is global warming?

Back

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

Front

Why is water considered a precious resource despite covering 75% of the Earth's surface?

Back

Only a small fraction of the Earth's water is freshwater available for drinking and irrigation.

Front

What factors can affect the acidity of a stream?

Back

The acidity of a stream can be affected by pollution, such as a new source of air pollution.

Front

What is biodiversity?

Back

Biodiversity refers to the variety of life in a particular habitat or ecosystem, including the number of different species.

Front

Why is biodiversity important for ecosystems?

Back

Biodiversity helps an ecosystem survive impacts such as natural disasters or human impact.

Front

What are nonrenewable resources?

Back

Nonrenewable resources are natural resources that cannot be replenished within a human timescale, such as fossil fuels.

Front

How does increased use of fossil fuels impact the environment?

Back

Increased use of fossil fuels contributes to air pollution, global warming, and depletion of nonrenewable resources.

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.

Front

What role do decomposers play in an ecosystem?

Back

Decomposers break down dead organic material, recycling nutrients back into the ecosystem.

Front

How can human activities lead to species extinction?

Back

Human activities such as habitat destruction, pollution, and climate change can lead to the loss of species and biodiversity.