UNIT 1 AOS2 SAC 3 - earths systems, managing environmental changes

How was the biosphere formed?

interaction of life with the Earth's physical components

How was the lithosphere formed?

cooling and solidification of Earth's molten outer layer, resulting in the crust and uppermost mantle.

How was the atmosphere formed?

volcanos releasing gases like water vapor, carbon dioxide, and nitrogen from the solid earth

How was the hydrosphere formed?

water trapped in the Earth's crust and from water vapor released by volcanic activity and possibly from comet impacts.

What are examples of changes and disruptions to landscapes, ecosystems, and biomes?

Examples include deforestation, urbanization, climate change, pollution, and natural disasters.

What’s the role of innovation and science in responding to environmental challenges?

Innovation and science provide new technologies, methods, and understanding to mitigate and adapt to environmental changes.

What is a stakeholder?

A stakeholder is an individual or group that has an interest or investment in a specific project or environmental outcome.

What are examples of different stakeholders?

anthropocentrism, ecocentrism, biocentrism, and techno-centrism

What’s anthropocentrism?

considers human beings as the central or most significant entities in the environment.

What’s ecocentrism?

places intrinsic value on all living organisms and their ecosystems, regardless of their utility to humans.

What’s biocentrism?

philosophy that asserts that all forms of life have inherent value and deserve moral consideration.

What’s technocentrism?

technology can solve all environmental problems and that technological development should be prioritized.

How have regulatory frameworks contributed to managing environmental challenges?

Regulatory frameworks provide guidelines and laws that help enforce environmental protections and ensure sustainable practices.

How have new technologies contributed to managing environmental challenges?

New technologies offer innovative solutions such as renewable energy, efficient resource management, and pollution control systems.

How has scientific data contributed to managing environmental challenges?

Scientific data provides evidence-based insights needed for understanding environmental issues and shaping effective policies.

How have diverse stakeholder values contributed to managing environmental challenges?

help ensure that environmental solutions consider a range of perspectives and needs, leading to more inclusive decision-making.

What’s primary succession?

is the development of an ecosystem in an area where no soil exists, such as after a volcanic eruption.

What’s secondary succession?

the process of ecological recovery that occurs in areas where an ecosystem has been disturbed but soil and some organisms remain.

What’s the difference between primary and secondary succession?

Primary succession starts from bare rock or no soil, while secondary succession occurs in areas where soil and some organisms are present.

What’s short-term change?

Short-term change refers to environmental shifts that occur over a brief period, typically days to years.

What’s long-term change?

Long-term change refers to gradual environmental shifts that occur over extended periods, such as decades to millennia.

What’s the connection between atmospheric gases and the environment?

Atmospheric gases influence climate, weather patterns, and the health of ecosystems, affecting overall environmental balance.

How can a project have benefits and costs for the environment?

A project can benefit the environment by promoting conservation but can also harm it through pollution and habitat destruction.

How can a project have benefits and costs for society?

A project might provide social benefits like job creation while imposing costs through displacement of communities or increased inequality.

How can a project have benefits and costs for the economy?

Economic benefits might include increased revenue, while costs could stem from ecological degradation that affects resources.

What happened to the plant population after the 1980 mt st Helens eruption?

it was wiped out everything in the immediate radius of the eruption, but organisms came back overtime.

What were short term changes from the mt st helens eruption

-        Infrastructure damage

•       200 homes were destroyed

•       27 bridges collapsed

•       railways were disrupted

•       highways had been affected by the damage from ash.

-        Interruption of ecosystems:

•       480 square km of forests had been flattened.

•       A debris field has been created.

What were long changes from the mt st helens eruption

Ecological changes

•       Creation of new lakes

•       Disappearance of forests

- Geological transformations

•       Crater was created on the north side of the mountain

Landscape was reshaped

Real-world examples of primary succession

Volcanic islands, glacial retreats

Real-world examples of secondary succession

Abandoned farmlands, forest fire areas

Initiation of succession by disturbances

Natural disturbances (e.g., floods, fires) or human-caused disturbances (e.g., deforestation, pollution) create conditions for succession

Ecosystem recovery from short-term changes

Ecosystems often recover relatively quickly from short-term changes through resilience mechanisms

Ecosystem recovery from long-term changes

Long-term changes may lead to more permanent shifts in ecosystem structure and function

Human activities altering sphere interactions

Deforestation, pollution, and urbanization disrupt natural cycles and interactions

Feedback loops in sphere interactions

Positive feedback loops amplify changes, while negative feedback loops dampen changes.