21 terms in Topic2
Biogeochemical Cycles
Continuous movement of carbon between atmosphere, biota, soils, and oceans through various biogeochemical processes.
The Physical Environment
Biogeochemical Cycles
Movement of nitrogen among atmosphere, organisms, soils, and water through fixation, nitrification, and denitrification.
The Physical Environment
Biogeochemical Cycles
Movement of phosphorus from rocks through soils, organisms, and water, with no significant atmospheric component.
The Physical Environment
Biogeochemical Cycles
Over-enrichment of water bodies with nutrients causing excessive algal growth and oxygen depletion.
The Physical Environment
The Atmosphere
Energy from the sun driving Earth's climate systems and providing energy for photosynthesis and weather.
The Physical Environment
The Atmosphere
The fraction of solar radiation reflected by a surface back to space, affecting Earth's energy balance.
The Physical Environment
The Atmosphere
Warming of Earth's atmosphere caused by greenhouse gases trapping outgoing infrared radiation.
The Physical Environment
The Atmosphere
Additional warming caused by anthropogenic greenhouse gas increases above natural atmospheric concentrations.
The Physical Environment
The Atmosphere
Relative warming effect of a greenhouse gas compared to CO2 over a specified time period.
The Physical Environment
The Atmosphere
Total greenhouse gas emissions produced by human activities, typically measured in CO2 equivalent units.
The Physical Environment
The Atmosphere
Extensive continental ice covering >50,000 km2, storing vast quantities of water and freshwater that affect sea level.
The Physical Environment
The Atmosphere
A mass of ice on land formed from accumulated snow, flowing downslope and contributing to sea level rise when melted.
The Physical Environment
The Atmosphere
Increase in ocean surface elevation due to thermal expansion and melting ice, threatening coastal communities.
The Physical Environment
The Atmosphere
Ground that remains frozen year-round, containing large carbon stores vulnerable to thawing with climate warming.
The Physical Environment
The Atmosphere
Positive feedback loop where ice melting reduces surface reflectivity, causing increased warming and further melting.
The Physical Environment
The Atmosphere
A feedback loop where a change produces effects that amplify the original change, destabilizing systems.
The Physical Environment
The Atmosphere
A feedback loop where a change produces effects that counteract the original change, stabilizing systems.
The Physical Environment
The Atmosphere
A critical threshold where small additional changes trigger large abrupt shifts in climate or ecosystems.
The Physical Environment
The Hydrosphere
Ocean circulation driven by temperature and salinity differences, transporting heat globally and affecting climate.
The Physical Environment