Ths general biology unit 1 our environment part 2_climate change and human activity notes_v1516

1. Unit 1 Notes:
Biology
Climate Change
&
Human Activity

2. (1) Climate
 Climate: Average, annual conditions of temperature
and precipitation in Earth-regions.
 Weather = day to day conditions.
 Climate is Impacted By:
– Earth’s tilt, rotation, orbit
– Location of Land and Water masses
– Wind and Water Currents
– Concentrations of Greenhouse Gases, Organisms, Inorganic
Compounds

7. (2) Greenhouse Effect
Greenhouse Effect: The containment of
heat on Earth due to shielding gases.
Greenhouse Gases: Gases which absorb
heat, subsequently warming earth’s
atmosphere.
– Carbon Dioxide
– Methane
– Water Vapor

10. (3) Climate Change
Climate Change: A regular, natural change
in the earth’s climates due to a variety of
factors working together.
Cause:
– Any one of the factors which impacts
climate
– Humans are not helping

12. (4) Evidence for Climate Change
 Record of the climate changing regularly and
frequently in the past (naturally).
 Change in ice caps and water levels.
 Change in severity of storms and shifts in
atmospheric temperatures.
 Change in survival of climate-specific plants
and animals.

13. (5) Human Activities of Concern
 Over-Use of Fossil Fuels & Natural Resources
 Over-Production of Waste & Pollution
 Damage to Ecosystems
 Altering Ecosystem Stability

14. (6) Biomagnification
 Also known as “bioamplification”.
 Occurs when a chemical compound is released into
an ecosystem, and higher level heterotrophs
receive/contain larger amounts.
 EXAMPLE  Why Does This Happen?
– A pesticide is absorbed by plankton.
– A small fish eats 100 plankton, each with the pesticide.
– A large fish eats 50 small fish (each with 100 plankton).
– A shark eats 5 large fish (each with 50 small fish).

16. (7) Invasive Species
 When non-native species of organisms move into an ecosystem
and disrupt the balance and stability.
 Results:
– The non-native organisms might over-use resources.
– The non-native organisms might end up killing off native
organisms.
 How Does This Happen?
– Can happen naturally with changes in climate, wind, water
patterns.
– Mostly happens due to humans transporting foreign
organisms into new habitats.