Jonathan Bahena

Apes 3rd period

Unit 7 course reader notes.

Weather- the state of the atmosphere with respect to wind, temperature, cloudiness, moisture,
pressure, etc.
Climate- the composite or generally prevailing weather conditions of a region, as temperature,
air pressure, humidity, precipitation, sunshine, cloudiness, and winds, throughout the year,
averaged over a series of years.
Global coolingGlobal warming- the warming of the oceans, land masses, and atmosphere of earth.
Glacial and interglacial periodsGreenhouse effect- absorption of infrared radiation by atmosphere gases and reradiation of the
energy back toward Earth
Greenhouse gassesIPCC- a group of more than 3000 scientists from around world working together to access
climate change
Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS)
CFCGlobal Change- change that occurs in the chemical, biological, and physical properties of the
planet.
Global climate change- changes in the average weather that occur in an area over a period of
years or decades
Greenhouse warming potential- an estimate of how much a molecule of any compound can
contribute to global warming over a period of 100 years relative to a molecule of CO2
Ocean acidification- the process by which an increase in ocean CO2 causes more CO2 to be
converted to carbonic acid, which lowers the pH of the water.

Kyoto Protocol- An international agreement that sets a goal for a global emissions of
greenhouse gases from all industrialized countries to be reduced by 52% below their 1900 levels
by 2012
Carbon SequestrationThreatened Species- According to the international Union for conservation of nature (IUCN),
species that have a high risk of extinction in the future.
Near-threatened species- Species that are very likely to become threated in the future.
Least concern species- Species that are widespread and abundant
Intrinsic value- Value dependent of any benefit to humans
Instrumental value- worth as an instrument or a tool that can be used to accomplish a goal
Provision- a good that humans can use directly
Native species- species that live in their historical range, typically where they have lived for
thousands or millions of years.
Exotic species- a species living outside its historical range
Invasive species- A species that spreads rapid across large areas
Lacey Act- A U.S act that prohibits interstate shipping of all illegally harvested plants and
animals
Convention of International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora
(CITES) - A 1973 treaty formed to control an international trade of threated plants and animal
Red List- A list of worldwide threatened species
Marine Mammal Protection Act- a 1972 U.S act to protect declining population of marine
mammals
Endangered Species- a species that is in danger of extinction within the foreseeable future
throughout all or a significant portion of its range
Threatened Species- According to the U.S legislation, any species that is likely to become an
endangered species within the foreseeable future throughout all or a significant portion of its
range
Convention on Biological Diversity-

Edge habitat- Habitat that occurs where two different communities come together, typically
forming an abrupt transition, such as where a grassy field meets a forest.
Biosphere reserve- Protected area consisting of zones that vary in the amount of permissible
human impact.
Notes
Module 62-64

Changes that occur are a result of human activities, and they can have a significant,
sometimes cascading, effects.
Emissions from coal fired power plants and waste incinerations have increased the
amount of mercury in the air, with the concentrations roughly triple those preindustrial
levels
Changes in climate can be categorized as natural or anthropogenic; Natural = El Nino,
Anthropogenic = fossil fuel combustions and deforestation
Solar radiation and greenhouse gases make our planet warm
As the planet warms it emits radiation back towards the atmosphere. However, the types
of energy radiated from the sun and earth are different.
The sun is very hot and most of its radiated energy is in the form of highly-energy visible
radiation and ultra violet radiation. Also known as visible light and ultra violet light.
The different types of radiation emitted along with the combination of processes that
occur in the atmosphere are what cause the earth to warm
Although some UV radiation is absorbed the remaining UV radiation easily passes the
atmosphere.
When the high energy radiation from the sun strikes the atmosphere, about 1/3 is
reflected from the atmosphere, clouds, and the surface of the planet. Much of the high
energy UV radiation is absorbed by the ozone layer where it is converted to low energy
infrared radiation.
Unlike UV radiation and visible radiation, infrared radiation does not easily pass through
the atmosphere. Its absorbed by gases which causes these gases to become warm.
Net flux of energy is zero; the inputs of energy to earth equal the outputs from earth
The two most common gases in the atmosphere N2 and O2 which compose 99% of the
atmosphere. Since these dont absorb infrared they arent greenhouse house gases.
The most common greenhouse gas is Water Vaper which absorbs more infrared radiation
than any other compound. Other GHG are CO2, CH4, N2O, O3
Natural sources of GHG are volcanic eruptions, decomposition, digestion, denitrification,
evaporation, and evapotranspiration.
Anthropogenic Sources burning fossil fuels, agricultural practices, deforestation,
landfills, and industrial production of new greenhouse chemicals.
CO2 concentrations have been increasing for the past 6 decades

Co2 levels varied seasonally and that the concertation of CO2 increased from year to
year.
This increase over time is correlated to increased human emissions of carbon from the
combustion of fossil fuels and net destruction of vegetation.
Seasonal changes happen because in spring plants use more photosynthesis than in fall.
China biggest emitter and U.S biggest emitter per capita of CO2
Ice caps can tell us how much CO2 was in the air when it formed.
Feedbacks increase or decrease the impact of climate change
Positive Feedbacks; ea. global soils contain more than twice as much carbon as the
amount currently in the atmosphere
Negative Feedbacks; one f the most important negative feedback occurs as plants
respond to increases in atmosphere in atmospheric carbon.
Most of feedbacks we have discussed are limited by features of the system in which they
take place.
Climate Change affects the environment like; melting glaciers, melting permafrost, rising
sea levels.
Global climate change is predicted to have additional effects in the future, producing heat
waves, cold spells, precipitation patterns, storm intensity, changing the ocean current
shifts, affecting human by making them relocate and also posing health risks.

Modules 59-61

Species diversity has declined around the world

Extinction occurs when the last member of the species dies. These major events are
characterized as a loss of at least 75% percent of all species within a period of 2 million
years.
Ecosystems values and the global; decline in the ecosystem function
Regulation services natural ecosystems help to regulate environmental conditions.
The decline of ecosystem services. Because species help determine the services that an
ecosystem can provide we would expect declines in the species diversity to be associated
with declines in ecosystem function.
Major cause of declining species diversity is habitat loss.
Habitat loss is caused by humans and its the largest threat to biodiversity
A species may decline in abundance or become extinct without complete habitat
destruction.
Exotic species are moving around the world. Humans have frequently moved animals,
plants, and pathogens around the world.
Overharvesting causes declines in populations and species.
Hunting, fishing, and other forms of harvesting are the most direct human influences on
wild population of plants and animals. Most species can be harvest to some degree.

U.S has set up regulations to restrict hunting and fishing of game animals to particular
times of the year and limit the number of animals that can be harvested.
Convention of International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora
(CITES), Red List, and the Marine Mammal Protection Act are some of the acts made to
watch over threatened plants and animals.
Pollution also causes harmful effects on species. These include pesticides, heavy metals,
acids, and oil spills. Others are endocrine disrupters which can have top organisms from
reproducing.
Climate change also has the potential to affect species diversity. Depending on the
patterns an animal may have to adapt to warmer or colder temps and that usually ends up
bad.
The convention on biological diversity is an international treat to help protect biodiversity
and has three objectives, conserve biodiversity, sustainably use biodiversity, and
equitably share the benefits that emerge from the commercial use of genetic resources.