Urban ecosystems Flashcards Preview

Global issues in environmental science > Urban ecosystems > Flashcards

Flashcards in Urban ecosystems Deck (12)
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1
Q

are we more rural or urban as a population?

A

urban

- most are interactions with the worlds in cities

2
Q

are urban areas ecosystems?

A

yes, but flows of material and energy are often dominated by human culture, not natural processes

3
Q

does air pollution from roads affect plants

A

ozone degrades chlorophyll A quicker than B

4
Q

biodiversity in cities/urban adaptors

A

urban adaptors:

  • pigeons
  • squirell-naturalised
  • cats and dogs-domesticated
  • peregrine falcons now seen on skyscrapers
5
Q

novel ecosystems

A

ecosystems consisting of species that do not share an evolutionary history

6
Q

impact of artificial light

A
  • light pollution illuminates world when it should be dark
  • LED white lights
  • can be active for 24 hours
  • impacts on diurnal species that are only active in the day can be active for longer
  • trees get confused on when leaf to fall
  • light as a barrier-repeal animals
  • interferes with detection of seasonal changes in daylength
  • obscures natural cues for navigation
7
Q

ecosystem effects of artificial light

A
  • lead to mismatches between species
  • may disrupt predator prey interactions
  • may alter availability of food
  • alter other species interactions
8
Q

urban biogeochemistry

A

seeing a city as an ecosystem. changes throughout the day as to when there’s most pollution. water sources affected.

9
Q

why are trees so important in a city ecosystem?

A

important for heat budget and regulating chemicals. filter for pollution.

10
Q

urban heat island effect

A

tarmac absorbs heat
green areas reduce the effect
high status areas have up to 2 degrees change due to lands. runoff also increased with urbanisation.

11
Q

land sharing

A

mixed land use, with natural components or urban ecosystem interspersed within built areas

12
Q

land sparing

A

zoned land use, with density of built areas maximised to allow unused land to be allocated for natural ecosystems.