what are the main reason for the increase in atmospheric carbon dioxide levels?
1) combustion of fossil fuels has released locked up co2 2) deforestation has removed lots of photosynthesising biomass so less co2 is being removed from the atmosphere
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what is the green house effect?
some of the solar radiation reaching earth is radiated back to earth by clouds and green house gasses. this traps gas close to the earths surface and heats it up.
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when is methane produced?
when microorganisms break down the organic molecules from which organisms are made. 1) when decomposers break down the dead remains of organisms 2) when microorganisms in the intestines of primary consumers break sown food that has been eaten
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what are the consequences of global warming?
melting of ice caps (some extinction) , rise in sea level ( flooding), high temps + less rain fall (no crops), greater rainfall some places, insect pest lifecycles and pops altered.
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what is ammonification?
the production of ammonia from organic ammonium containing compounds when saprobiotic microorganisms feed on arganic matter.
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what is nitrification?
nitrifying bacteria oxidise ammonium ions to nitrite ions to nitrate ions.
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what is nitrogen fixation?
the process by which nitrogen gas is converted into nitrogen containing compounds.
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what are natural (organic) fertilisers?
they consist of the dead and decaying remains of plants and animals as well as animal wastes such as manure and bone meal.
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what are artificial (inorganic) fertilisers?
they give an appropriate balance of minerals for a paticular crop. nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium compounds are nearly always present.
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why has the use of nitrogen containing fertilisers lead to reduced species diversity?
nitrogen rich soils favour the growth of grasses, nettles and fast growing species. other species are out competed and die.
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what is leaching?
the process by which nutrients are removed from the soil. rain water dissolves soluble nutrients and carries them deep into the soil beyond the reach of plant roots.
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what is eutrophication?
the process by which nutrients build up in bodies of water.
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what are the common features of a sucession?
1)non-living environment becomes less hostile 2) there is a greater number and variety of habitats 3)increased biodiversity 4)more complex food webs and increased biomass
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Other cards in this set
Card 2
Front
what is the green house effect?
Back
some of the solar radiation reaching earth is radiated back to earth by clouds and green house gasses. this traps gas close to the earths surface and heats it up.
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