conservation ecology final

8/14/2019 Conservation Ecology Final

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Biology Do Now 16Biology Do Now 161.Differentiate between

transpiration and evaporation.

2.Diagram and describe thenitrogen cycle. Be sure to

include any key organisms.

3.Explain how the carbon-oxygencycle is maintained on earth.

4.Differentiate betweengreenhouse effect and globalwarming

5.Define ozone and explain its


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Carbon cycle impactsCarbon cycle impacts

Atmospheric CO2 levels have steadily risen(more industrialized)Burning of wood and fossil fuels release CO2 into

atmDeforestation affects carbon cycle

Def: clearing of forests for lumber, agriculture, etc. Eliminates plants that absorb excess CO2 from the air

Slash and burn removes plants and adds CO2 to air

Greenhouse effect When atmospheric gases trap heat close to Earths

surface

Makes Earth liveable

Global warming (theory) Theory that there is an overall rise in global

temperatures b/c of increase in greenhouse gasses(CO2)

NOT proven


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Nitrogen Cycle ImpactsNitrogen Cycle Impacts

Humans move large amounts of nitrogeninto air or water Sewage treatments, fertilizers

Lots of Nitrogen in water (and phosphorus)enables algae to grow rapidly on the

surfaceeutrophication As algae dies, bacteria that consumes them use

up so much available oxygen in the water thatthere isn't enough for the other marineorganisms

Lots of Nitrogen (and sulfur) in Air Smokestacks and car exhaust pipes These nitrogen and sulfur containing compounds

mix with water in the air to make NITRIC ACIDand SULFURIC ACID

These acids evaporate, condense and comedown as ACID PRECIAPTATION (acid rain)

Acid Rain causes damage to soils and aquaticecos stems


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-Fertilizers are often used in farming,sometimes these fertilizers run-off intonearby water causing an increase innutrient levels.-This causes phytoplankton to grow and

reproduce more rapidly, resulting in algalblooms.-This bloom of algae disrupts normalecosystem functioning and causes manyproblems.-The algae may use up all the oxygen in

the water, leaving none for other marinelife. This results in the death of manyaquatic organisms such as fish, whichneed the oxygen in the water to live.-The bloom of algae may also blocksunlight from photosynthetic marine plantsunder the water surface.-Some algae even produce toxins that areharmful to higher forms of life. This cancause problems along the food chain andaffect any animal that feeds on them.
http://www.eoearth.org/image/SaltonSeaFishKill.jpghttp://www.eoearth.org/image/Algal_bloom_orielton_Australia.jpg


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Water Cycle ImpactWater Cycle Impact

Deforestation Freshwater returns to atmosphere by

TRANSPIRATION from tropical forests

Cut down tropical forest=reduce water

vapor in air=changes in precipitationpatterns and effects ecosystems

Irrigation and household water use Draws water up from aquifers and rivers

If rate at which H2O is used is FASTERthan the water cycle can replace it,rivers nad aquifers may run dry(effects ecosystems)


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Pollution and thePollution and theEnvironmentEnvironmentPollution: addition of substances to the

environment that result in a NEGATIVEeffect

Biological Magnification Animals take in water and nutrients and

sometimes pollutants w/them

PCBs Disposed in industrial wastes and Soluble in lipidsof animals

Concentration of PCBs increases in organisms

tissues increase as you move up trophic levels DDTs

Chemical used to control mosquitoes and croppests

Soluble in fatty tissue

Birds had high levels of DDT in their tissue and in

egg shells, which causes shells to be brittle andyoung birds cannot survive

dichlor-diphenyl-trichlorethylene C14H9Cl5


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Damage to OzoneDamage to OzoneOzone: gas in atmosphere (O3)

Ozone absorbs UV radiation from the sun(protects organisms on earth from harmfulrays)

Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) is a chemicalreleased from aerosol cans, refrigeratorunits and certain manufacturing processes Chlorine from CFCs pull off an oxygen from a

molecule of O3, making chlorine monoxide,ClO, and ozone into regular O2, and the ClObinds with another ClO making chlorineperoxide (Cl2 O2)..and now there is one lessmolecule of O3 in the atmosphere to protectorganisms from harmful UV radiation...sun also

breaks the chlorine peroxide (Cl2 O2) intochlorine atoms and another O2 molecule andthe cycle continues with more carbonsinteracting with ozone molecules

Holes in the Ozone


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http://www.ozonelayer.noaa.gov/science/StratO3.jpeg


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BiodiversityBiodiversity

Definition: # of species in anecosystem; the variety ofecosystems; the variety of

individuals in a speciesWhy is biodiversity important? Species in ecosystem are

interconnected and depend on

each other If one species disappears, many

others affected

Humans depend on biodiversity as

well (food, shelter, clothing,medicine


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Threats to BiodiversityThreats to Biodiversity

Habitat destructionIntroduced Species

Over Exploitation of resources


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Conservation BiologyConservation Biology Def: application of biology to counteract the threats to biodiversity

Focus on hot spots

Small geographic areas with high conc. of speciesCover less than 1.5% of earths surfaceHotspots of extinctionContain 1/3 of all plants and vertebrates

Understand Organisms habitatsHelps maintain org. habitat or create new habitatsBiologists can protect key habitat factors of species

Balance demand for resourcesSave species or meet economic and social needs of peopleSave a forest to protect and owl but put many loggers out of work?

Planning for a Sustainable futureWays nations protect environment for future:Zoned reserves-areas of land that are relatively undisturbed by humans

Encourage long term ecosystem conservationsBuffer zones-areas that surround zoned reserve; these buffers are

minimally impacted by people...no major envirm. disturbancesEx. Costa Rica- 8 zoned reserves

Sustainable development- developing natural resources so that the canrenew themselves and be available to the futureEx. Forest corridor between farmlands


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conservation ecology final

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