aice environmental management unit 4 study guides

Key Concepts and Definitions

• Ecosystem consists of a community of organisms interacting with each other and their physical environment
• Biodiversity encompasses the variety of life at all levels of biological organization (genetic, species, ecosystem)
• Habitat destruction involves the alteration or loss of natural environments that support species
  • Includes deforestation, wetland draining, and urban expansion
• Invasive species are non-native organisms that cause harm to ecosystems by outcompeting native species
• Sustainability focuses on meeting current needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs
• Keystone species play a disproportionately large role in maintaining the structure and function of an ecosystem (sea otters, wolves)
• Ecosystem services are the benefits humans derive from ecosystems (clean air, water purification, pollination)
• Ecological footprint measures the impact of human activities on the environment in terms of resource consumption and waste generation

Ecosystem Structure and Function

• Ecosystems are composed of biotic (living) and abiotic (non-living) components that interact through complex relationships
• Trophic levels organize organisms based on their position in the food chain (producers, primary consumers, secondary consumers, decomposers)
• Energy flows through ecosystems from producers to consumers and is eventually lost as heat
• Nutrients cycle through ecosystems via biogeochemical processes (carbon cycle, nitrogen cycle, water cycle)
  • Nutrients are continuously recycled and reused by organisms
• Ecological succession is the gradual process of change in species composition over time (primary succession, secondary succession)
• Ecosystem stability refers to the ability of an ecosystem to resist and recover from disturbances
• Ecosystem resilience is the capacity of an ecosystem to absorb disturbances and maintain its basic structure and function
• Ecosystem services include provisioning services (food, water), regulating services (climate regulation, pest control), cultural services (recreation, spiritual values), and supporting services (nutrient cycling, soil formation)

Biodiversity: Types and Importance

• Genetic diversity refers to the variation in genes within a species, providing the raw material for adaptation and evolution
• Species diversity is the number and relative abundance of different species within a community or ecosystem
• Ecosystem diversity encompasses the variety of habitats, communities, and ecological processes within a region
• Biodiversity enhances ecosystem stability and resilience by providing functional redundancy and response diversity
  • Functional redundancy occurs when multiple species perform similar roles, ensuring continuity if one species is lost
  • Response diversity means different species respond differently to disturbances, increasing overall resilience
• Biodiversity supports vital ecosystem services (pollination, pest control, nutrient cycling)
• Biodiversity is a source of genetic resources for agriculture, medicine, and biotechnology (crop breeding, drug discovery)
• Biodiversity has intrinsic value and contributes to the aesthetic, cultural, and spiritual well-being of humans

Threats to Ecosystems and Biodiversity

• Habitat loss and fragmentation result from human activities (agriculture, urbanization, resource extraction)
  • Fragmentation isolates populations, reduces gene flow, and increases vulnerability to extinction
• Overexploitation involves the unsustainable harvest of species for human use (overfishing, poaching, logging)
• Invasive species disrupt ecosystems by competing with native species, altering habitats, and introducing diseases
• Pollution degrades ecosystems through the release of harmful substances (pesticides, industrial waste, plastic debris)
• Climate change affects ecosystems by altering temperature, precipitation patterns, and sea levels, leading to shifts in species distributions and phenology
• Human population growth and overconsumption drive the demand for resources and contribute to multiple threats
• Synergistic effects occur when multiple threats interact and amplify their individual impacts on ecosystems and biodiversity

Conservation Strategies and Methods

• Protected areas are designated regions managed to conserve ecosystems, species, and genetic diversity (national parks, wildlife reserves)
• Habitat restoration involves the active recovery of degraded or destroyed ecosystems (reforestation, wetland rehabilitation)
• Ex-situ conservation preserves species outside their natural habitats (zoos, botanical gardens, seed banks)
  • Provides a backup for endangered species and supports captive breeding programs
• In-situ conservation focuses on protecting species within their natural habitats and ecosystems
• Community-based conservation engages local communities in the management and sustainable use of natural resources
• Ecosystem-based management considers the entire ecosystem, including humans, in conservation planning and decision-making
• Adaptive management is a flexible approach that incorporates monitoring, learning, and adjusting conservation strategies based on new information
• International agreements and conventions (Convention on Biological Diversity, CITES) promote global cooperation in biodiversity conservation

Sustainable Resource Management

• Sustainable resource management aims to balance the use of resources with their long-term conservation and regeneration
• Sustainable forestry practices (selective logging, reforestation) maintain forest ecosystem integrity while allowing for timber production
• Sustainable fisheries management (catch limits, marine protected areas) ensures the long-term viability of fish populations and marine ecosystems
• Sustainable agriculture (crop rotation, integrated pest management) minimizes environmental impacts and maintains soil fertility
• Sustainable water management (water conservation, watershed protection) ensures the efficient and equitable use of water resources
• Renewable energy sources (solar, wind, hydro) reduce reliance on fossil fuels and mitigate climate change impacts on ecosystems
• Ecotourism promotes responsible travel that supports conservation and benefits local communities
• Certification schemes (Forest Stewardship Council, Marine Stewardship Council) encourage sustainable production and consumption practices

Case Studies and Real-World Applications

• The Yellowstone wolf reintroduction demonstrated the ecological importance of keystone species in regulating ecosystems
• The Great Barrier Reef Marine Park in Australia exemplifies marine protected area management for biodiversity conservation and sustainable use
• The Costa Rican Payment for Ecosystem Services program incentivizes landowners to conserve forests for their ecosystem services
• The Loess Plateau restoration project in China showcases large-scale ecosystem restoration and sustainable land management
• The Namibian community-based natural resource management program empowers local communities to manage wildlife and benefit from ecotourism
• The Svalbard Global Seed Vault in Norway serves as a backup for the world's crop diversity, ensuring food security in the face of global change
• The Mekong River Commission promotes sustainable water resource management and regional cooperation in Southeast Asia

Challenges and Future Outlook

• Balancing conservation with human development needs, particularly in developing countries with high biodiversity
• Addressing the root causes of biodiversity loss, including poverty, inequality, and unsustainable consumption patterns
• Integrating biodiversity considerations into decision-making across sectors (agriculture, energy, transportation)
• Strengthening global governance and enforcement of environmental laws and agreements
• Enhancing scientific understanding of ecosystem functioning, species interactions, and the impacts of global change
• Developing innovative financing mechanisms for conservation, such as payment for ecosystem services and biodiversity offsets
• Promoting public awareness, education, and engagement in biodiversity conservation efforts
• Adapting conservation strategies to the rapidly changing environmental conditions driven by climate change