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This deck focuses on Disruptions In Ecosystems, giving you a quick way to review the definitions, rules, and examples that matter most for AP Biology.
AP Biology Flashcards: Disruptions In Ecosystems
Study Disruptions In Ecosystems in AP Biology with focused flashcards that help you recognize the idea, recall the key rule, and apply it in practice-style prompts.
AP Biology
Disruptions In Ecosystems
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How are coral reefs affected by rising sea temperatures?
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ANSWER
Coral bleaching and potential death. Heat stress causes corals to expel symbiotic algae they depend on.
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Flashcard 1: How are coral reefs affected by rising sea temperatures?
Answer: Coral bleaching and potential death. Heat stress causes corals to expel symbiotic algae they depend on.
Flashcard 2: Identify one effect of pollution on ecosystems.
Answer: Toxicity in water bodies harming aquatic life. Chemical contaminants disrupt physiological processes and food chains.
Flashcard 3: Identify the term for a species that engineers its environment.
Answer: Ecosystem engineer. Physically modifies habitat structure, creating new environmental conditions.
Flashcard 4: Identify one major cause of ecosystem disruption.
Answer: Habitat destruction. Direct loss of natural areas eliminates species' homes and resources.
Flashcard 5: What is a biodiversity hotspot?
Answer: Region with significant levels of biodiversity under threat. Contains many endemic species facing high extinction risk from human activities.
Flashcard 6: Identify the term for a species that engineers its environment.
Answer: Ecosystem engineer. Physically modifies habitat structure, creating new environmental conditions.
Flashcard 7: Define 'ecological succession'.
Answer: Process of change in species structure of an ecosystem over time. Community composition changes from pioneer to climax species over time.
Flashcard 8: Define 'trophic cascade'.
Answer: Ripple effects through trophic levels due to changes in one level. Predator removal increases herbivores, which then reduce plant populations.
Flashcard 9: What role do keystone species play in ecosystems?
Answer: They have a disproportionately large effect on their environment. Their removal or addition causes major changes throughout the ecosystem.
Flashcard 10: What is an ecosystem?
Answer: A biological community and its physical environment. Includes both living organisms and non-living components like water, soil, and air.
Flashcard 11: Identify one effect of pollution on ecosystems.
Answer: Toxicity in water bodies harming aquatic life. Chemical contaminants disrupt physiological processes and food chains.
Flashcard 12: Identify one method to restore degraded ecosystems.
Answer: Reforestation. Replanting trees helps restore habitat and ecosystem services.
Flashcard 13: Define 'resilience' in the context of ecosystems.
Answer: Ability of an ecosystem to recover after disturbances. Higher biodiversity generally increases ecosystem stability and recovery capacity.
Flashcard 14: Identify one method to restore degraded ecosystems.
Answer: Reforestation. Replanting trees helps restore habitat and ecosystem services.
Flashcard 15: What is the difference between primary and secondary succession?
Answer: Primary occurs on bare substrate, secondary on disturbed soil. Primary starts from rock or lava; secondary starts from existing soil.
Flashcard 16: What is eutrophication?
Answer: Nutrient enrichment of water bodies, causing algal blooms. Excess nutrients promote algae growth, depleting oxygen when they decompose.
Flashcard 17: What is the impact of plastic pollution on marine life?
Answer: Ingestion and entanglement of marine organisms. Plastic debris is mistaken for food and physically traps animals.
Flashcard 18: Define 'species richness'.
Answer: Number of different species represented in an ecosystem. Counts total number of species, not their relative abundances.
Flashcard 19: What is the impact of deforestation on ecosystems?
Answer: Loss of biodiversity and habitat destruction. Removes trees that provide habitat and disrupt carbon and water cycles.
Flashcard 20: Which gas is a major contributor to the greenhouse effect?
Answer: Carbon dioxide. Most abundant greenhouse gas from human activities like burning fossil fuels.
Flashcard 21: Which gas is a major contributor to the greenhouse effect?
Answer: Carbon dioxide. Most abundant greenhouse gas from human activities like burning fossil fuels.
Flashcard 22: Define 'resilience' in the context of ecosystems.
Answer: Ability of an ecosystem to recover after disturbances. Higher biodiversity generally increases ecosystem stability and recovery capacity.
Flashcard 23: Identify one human activity that leads to soil erosion.
Answer: Deforestation. Tree removal exposes soil to wind and water erosion.
Flashcard 24: Which species is considered a keystone predator?
Answer: Sea otter. Controls sea urchin populations, protecting kelp forest ecosystems.
Flashcard 25: How are coral reefs affected by rising sea temperatures?
Answer: Coral bleaching and potential death. Heat stress causes corals to expel symbiotic algae they depend on.
Flashcard 26: Identify one major cause of ecosystem disruption.
Answer: Habitat destruction. Direct loss of natural areas eliminates species' homes and resources.
Flashcard 27: What is eutrophication?
Answer: Nutrient enrichment of water bodies, causing algal blooms. Excess nutrients promote algae growth, depleting oxygen when they decompose.
Flashcard 28: Identify one human activity that leads to soil erosion.
Answer: Deforestation. Tree removal exposes soil to wind and water erosion.
Flashcard 29: Which species is considered a keystone predator?
Answer: Sea otter. Controls sea urchin populations, protecting kelp forest ecosystems.
Flashcard 30: How does climate change affect ecosystems?
Answer: Alters temperature and precipitation patterns, affecting species. Shifts in climate force species to migrate or adapt to new conditions.
Flashcard 31: How does climate change affect ecosystems?
Answer: Alters temperature and precipitation patterns, affecting species. Shifts in climate force species to migrate or adapt to new conditions.
Flashcard 32: Define 'species richness'.
Answer: Number of different species represented in an ecosystem. Counts total number of species, not their relative abundances.
Flashcard 33: What is an ecosystem?
Answer: A biological community and its physical environment. Includes both living organisms and non-living components like water, soil, and air.
Flashcard 34: Identify one strategy to mitigate climate change.
Answer: Reducing carbon emissions. Decreases atmospheric greenhouse gas concentrations to limit warming.