1How much of Earth's surface is covered in water?70%2How much of earth's water is fresh water?3%3What is a watershed?An area of land that drains to form a river or lake4What is the difference between an open watershed and a closed watershed?Open watersheds drain to the sea; closed watersheds don't5What is the hydrologic cycle?The cycle of water on the earth - evaporation, transpiration (evaporation from plants), precipitation, infiltration, runoff6What is the importance of variation?To meet human needs7What did the Mississippi River flood of 1927 result in?The Flood Control Act of 19288What advantages do towns in floodplains have?Access to fresh water, fertile land, cheap transportation, ease of development of flat land (easier to built houses)9What are some consequences of living in a floodplain?Flooding of agricultural land and flooding of homes10What was the issue with the Morganza Spillway?It diverts floodwater so it avoids heavily populated regions but the floods impact other populated regions.11What is a wetland?A region where the soil is saturated all year12What are hydrophytes?Plants that are adapted to anaerobic (w/out oxygen) soil; live in wetlands13What services to the ecosystem do the wetlands provide?Storing water; flood control; improving water quality by turning chemicals into biomass; provide habitat for fish & wildlife14What are the types of wetlands?Marshes, tidal, non-tidal, swamps, mangrove swamps, bogs15What are the issues involving wetlands?They are being altered and/or destroyed by drainage or pollution16What is groundwater?Water that resides in rocks and soil beneath the ground?17How much of the nation's groundwater is used for irrigation?30%18What is a result of overuse of the Ogalalla aquifer?Decrease in water supply19Agricultural contamination?Chemicals enter groundwater with rainfall or application of irrigation water20What is causing saltwater intrusion?Rapid population growth21What are the 4 types of water pollution?Chemical input; sediment input; thermal input; supply impacts (dams)22What is the difference between point-source pollution and non-point source pollution?Point source is also known as end of pipe pollution - you know where it's coming from. Non-point source pollutions can come from anywhere.23What is a result of combined sewer overflow?More water is going into the systems and the systems can't handle it, so sewage goes into rivers because it mixes with rainwater.24What is an unforeseen effect from combined sewage overflow?West Nile virus25What is a result of sediment input?Changes the physical environment - damages filter feeders such as filter-feeding mussels26What is nutrient pollution?Increased use of nitrogen and phosphorous fertilizers - runoff into rivers and streams27What does hypoxic mean?Low oxygen28What area in the U.S. is very hypoxic during the summer?Gulf of Mexico29What causes hypoxia?Too much nitrogen from fertilizers30What are 3 ways to reduce nitrogen and phosphorous?State strategies, federal strategies, and use of existing programs to protect local water quality31What two things put carbon in the atmosphere?Fossil fuel combustion and deforestation32What is the role of ocean microorganisms?Store carbon dioxide33What do oceans have high primary productivity?Phytoplankton reproduce quickly and are consumed quickly by zooplankton or other marine organisms34What mineral causes phytoplankton to bloom?Iron - leads to reduction of carbon dioxide in atmosphere35Why are there stronger winter snowstorms if global warming is occurring?There is greater evaporation -> more vapor in atmosphere -> temperatures drop and there is more precipitation36What caused a major increase in the Earth's temperature?Industrial Revolution37What is driving this huge increase in temperature?More carbon dioxide in the air38What is the sawtooth pattern of the carbon dioxide graph?More plants in the summer means less carbon dioxide in the air; fewer plants in winter means more carbon dioxide in the air39What are the 2 reasons for sealevel to be rising?As water gets warmer it expands; glacial melting40Why is climate changing faster than models have predicted?We fail to recognize the significance of black carbon (soot) from diesel smoke and incomplete coal combustion41How is soot heating the atmosphere?Large soot particles absorb solar energy and heat the atmosphere42Who is the major producer of soot and CO2 from coal?China43What is albedo?The fraction of radiation striking a surface that is reflected by that surface; snow melts b/c of higher temperatures so there is more absorption of radiation and heat - snow decreases heat44What are positive and negative feedback loops?Positive feedback = increase in the future; negative feedback = equilibrium feedback45Significance of White Cliffs of Dover?Made of emelliana - white shells made of calcium carbonate - take carbon out of the atmosphere and reflect incoming radiation46What is causing Emelliana populations to decline?Warmer ocean temperatures; high levels of dissolved CO2; acidification of the ocean from CO2 addition47What is the result of tundra melting?Releasing CO2 and methane into the air48What effects do melting ice caps have?Expose ocean water which absorbs more radiation - water is warmer and ice melts faster49What causes more hurricanes?High pressure systems are shifting closer to land; also warmer water strengthens stormsEcology Exam 2 03/04/20131How much of Earth's surface is covered in water?70%2How much of earth's water is fresh water?3%3What is a watershed?An area of land that drains to form a river or lake4What is the difference between an open watershed and a closed watershed?Open watersheds drain to the sea; closed watersheds don't5What is the hydrologic cycle?The cycle of water on the earth - evaporation, transpiration (evaporation from plants), precipitation, infiltration, runoff6What is the importance of variation?To meet human needs7What did the Mississippi River flood of 1927 result in?The Flood Control Act of 19288What advantages do towns in floodplains have?Access to fresh water, fertile land, cheap transportation, ease of development of flat land (easier to built houses)9What are some consequences of living in a floodplain?Flooding of agricultural land and flooding of homes10What was the issue with the Morganza Spillway?It diverts floodwater so it avoids heavily populated regions but the