All flashcards
Flashcard 1: What is the effect of ocean warming on the Arctic region?
Answer: Accelerates ice melt. Warmer water melts ice from below.
Flashcard 2: What is the effect of ocean warming on hurricane intensity?
Answer: Increases hurricane intensity. Warmer water provides more energy for storms.
Flashcard 3: Which ecosystems are most vulnerable to ocean warming?
Answer: Coral reefs and Arctic ecosystems. Temperature-sensitive ecosystems face rapid changes.
Flashcard 4: How does ocean warming affect the albedo effect?
Answer: Decreases albedo by reducing ice cover. Less ice means less solar reflection.
Flashcard 5: What is the effect of ocean warming on ocean stratification?
Answer: Increases stratification. Reduces vertical mixing of nutrients and oxygen.
Flashcard 6: What is the relationship between ocean warming and phytoplankton?
Answer: Reduces phytoplankton productivity. Stratification limits nutrient mixing for phytoplankton.
Flashcard 7: What is the impact of ocean warming on fish populations?
Answer: Causes shifts in distribution and abundance. Fish migrate to maintain optimal temperatures.
Flashcard 8: What impact does ocean warming have on ocean salinity?
Answer: Alters salinity patterns. Changes evaporation and precipitation patterns.
Flashcard 9: What is the effect of ocean warming on sea ice extent?
Answer: Reduces sea ice extent. Warmer water melts ice from beneath.
Flashcard 10: How does ocean warming affect nutrient cycling?
Answer: Disrupts nutrient availability. Stratification prevents nutrient upwelling.
Flashcard 11: Identify one way ocean warming affects weather patterns.
Answer: Increases the frequency and intensity of storms. Warm water provides more energy for storm formation.
Flashcard 12: Identify an adaptation strategy for marine species facing ocean warming.
Answer: Migration to cooler waters. Species move to maintain optimal temperature ranges.
Flashcard 13: How does ocean warming influence global heat distribution?
Answer: Affects thermohaline circulation. Disrupts density-driven currents that distribute heat.
Flashcard 14: What is the impact of ocean warming on polar ecosystems?
Answer: Threatens species and habitats. Ice-dependent species lose habitat and food sources.
Flashcard 15: What is the effect of ocean warming on the Antarctic ice sheet?
Answer: Accelerates ice sheet melting. Warm water melts ice shelves from below.
Flashcard 16: Identify a consequence of ocean warming on coastal ecosystems.
Answer: Increased coastal erosion. Rising seas and storms damage coastal habitats.
Flashcard 17: How does ocean warming affect the frequency of marine heatwaves?
Answer: Increases frequency and intensity. Warmer baseline temperatures enable more extreme events.
Flashcard 18: How does ocean warming influence ocean currents?
Answer: Alters the strength and direction of currents. Changes temperature gradients that drive currents.
Flashcard 19: What impact does ocean warming have on marine species?
Answer: Shifts in species distribution and habitat loss. Species migrate to cooler waters or face extinction.
Flashcard 20: What is the primary cause of ocean warming?
Answer: Increase in greenhouse gas emissions. Greenhouse gases trap heat, warming oceans.
Flashcard 21: What effect does ocean warming have on the Gulf Stream?
Answer: Weakens the Gulf Stream. Disrupts temperature gradients that drive the current.
Flashcard 22: Identify the effect of ocean warming on coral reefs.
Answer: Coral bleaching. Heat stress causes corals to expel symbiotic algae.
Flashcard 23: How does ocean warming alter marine food webs?
Answer: Disrupts predator-prey relationships. Temperature changes affect species interactions.
Flashcard 24: What is the effect of ocean warming on sea ice extent?
Answer: Reduces sea ice extent. Warmer water melts ice from beneath.
Flashcard 25: Which human activity contributes most to ocean warming?
Answer: Burning fossil fuels. Releases CO₂ that drives ocean warming.
Flashcard 26: What impact does ocean warming have on ocean salinity?
Answer: Alters salinity patterns. Changes evaporation and precipitation patterns.
Flashcard 27: Which gas is most responsible for ocean warming?
Answer: Carbon dioxide (CO₂). Primary greenhouse gas driving global warming.
Flashcard 28: How does ocean warming affect the ocean's pH levels?
Answer: Leads to ocean acidification. CO₂ absorption forms carbonic acid, lowering pH.
Flashcard 29: How does ocean warming affect the El Niño phenomenon?
Answer: Intensifies El Niño events. Stronger temperature gradients enhance the pattern.
Flashcard 30: How does ocean warming impact the carbon cycle?
Answer: Reduces ocean's carbon uptake capacity. Stratification and chemistry changes reduce CO₂ solubility.