Natural Disruptions to Ecosystems (College Board AP® Environmental Science): Flashcards
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What are three examples of natural disruptions to ecosystems?
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What are three examples of natural disruptions to ecosystems?
Natural disruptions include floods, volcanic eruptions, wildfires, droughts, hurricanes, and earthquakes and tsunamis.
True or False?
Natural disruptions always have smaller environmental consequences than human-made disruptions.
False.
Natural disruptions, such as a large volcanic eruption, can sometimes have environmental consequences greater than human-made disruptions.
What are two short-term impacts of natural disruptions on ecosystems?
Short-term impacts include immediate destruction of habitats, displacement of organisms, loss of biodiversity, changes in food webs, and water shortages.
Ash, particulate matter, and gases from a volcanic eruption can cause short-term global by reflecting sunlight.
Ash, particulate matter, and gases from a volcanic eruption can cause short-term global cooling by reflecting sunlight.
What are two long-term impacts of natural disruptions on ecosystems?
Long-term impacts include changes in species composition, shifts in ecosystem structure such as desertification, and potential extinctions.
Define periodic process.
A periodic process is an Earth system process that occurs at regular, repeated intervals, such as seasons or tidal cycles.
True or False?
A meteor impact is an example of a periodic Earth system process.
False.
A meteor impact is a random process because it occurs unpredictably.
Define episodic process.
An episodic process is an Earth system process that occurs occasionally and irregularly but is still predictable, such as hurricanes or El Niño events.
El Niño and La Niña events occur every years, affecting ocean temperatures and disrupting weather patterns globally.
El Niño and La Niña events occur every 2-7 years, affecting ocean temperatures and disrupting weather patterns globally.
What are three natural factors that have changed Earth's climate over geological time?
Natural factors include changes in solar radiation and Earth's orbit, volcanic activity, variations in atmospheric composition such as CO₂, changes in ocean circulation, and plate tectonics.
Changes in solar radiation and Earth's orbit that affect climate are known as cycles.
Changes in solar radiation and Earth's orbit that affect climate are known as Milankovitch cycles.
Why were sea levels lower during the Ice Ages?
Sea levels were lower during the Ice Ages because water was locked in glacial ice.
How does ocean warming cause sea level to change through thermal expansion?
As the oceans warm, seawater expands, which raises sea level.
How do changing sea levels affect coastal ecosystems?
Rising and falling sea levels alter habitat availability for coastal species such as mangroves and coral reefs.
How can changes in temperature or precipitation alter forest habitats?
Changes in temperature or precipitation can cause forests to transition into grasslands or deserts.
True or False?
When a natural habitat changes, species can only respond by adapting.
False.
Habitat changes force species to adapt, migrate, or face extinction.
What can trigger short-term migrations of organisms?
Short-term migrations can be triggered by seasonal changes, immediate environmental factors such as natural disasters, and food or water shortages.
What drives long-term migrations of organisms?
Long-term migrations are driven by gradual habitat changes over time, such as desertification or sea level rise.
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