IB Enviro Ch.1

Intrinsic Value

Intrinsic Value

All living things have value no matter how we can use them (ecocentric viewpoint)

Transfer

movement in location

Transfromation

chemical rxn or change in phase

Open System

can exchange energy (light/heat) AND matter with surroundings

Closed System

can exchange energy but NOT matter

Isolated System

exchanges NEITHER energy nor matter (perfect insulators)(only theoretical but frequently assumed)

*Pollution

the addition of a factor caused by HUMAN ACTIVITY that has a NEGATIVE EFFECT on the ecosystem

Resilience

the ability to avoid a tipping point. Affected by climate and biodiversity. (high resilience = return to equilibrium) (low resilience = enter a new state/equilibrium)

Biodiversity

genetic diversity and species diversity

*Sustainability

using global resources at a rate that allows natural regeneration and minimizes damage to the environment

*Sustainable Development

the ability to meet the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs (balance of environmental, societal, and economic needs)

What measures were taken to allow the fox population to rebound?

-They relocated the golden eagles to stop them from getting eaten.

-They killed off the pig population to ensure the eagles wouldn’t return

-They vaccinated the foxes so they were less susceptible for large population drops from disease.

-There were captive breeding programs.

Why did DDT affect the bald eagles but not the golden eagles?

The DDT was dumped into the ocean, which made the fish contain DDT. Bald Eagles eat fish, which caused them to consume DDT which weakened their eggshells. Golden eagles mostly eat small land animals, not fish. So they were unaffected.

Why did pigs need to be removed from the islands for foxes to be successful?

- The baby pigs drew the golden eagles to the islands in the first place. In order to ensure the long-term absence of the golden eagles the pigs needed to be removed.

Why did the absence of bald eagles negatively affect the fox population?

- The lack of bald eagles left room for a different bird of prey to come to the island without having to compete for territory. This is why the golden eagles were able to mirgrate to the islands.

Explain how the predator-prey relationship is an example of negative feedback.

-Negative feedback is when a cycle promotes stability and the original change/stress is undone. Predator-prey cycles are an example because they always return back to before the stress. Ex) ↑Hares=↑Lynx=↓Hares=↓Lynx=↑Hares=↑Lynx…

Why is the lynx extremely susceptible to fluctuations in the hare population? Why are the local coyotes not as susceptible to changes in local rabbit populations?

The Lynx rely mostly on hares for food, while coyotes also eat other stuff.

What is an EVS (Environmental Value System)?

A world view that shapes the way an individual or a group of people perceive and evaluate environmental issues.

What are the three EVSs?

-Anthropocentrism (Anthrocentric viewpoint)

-Ecocentrism (ecocentric viewpoint)

-Technocentrism (technocentric viewpoint)

How do you classify a solution according to EVS? In other words, what things are you looking for in order to classify it?

Anthropocentrism

-Humans must sustainably manage the global system 

- GOVERNMENT ACTION (taxes, environmental regulation, legislation)

-Encourages DEBATE 

Ecocentrism

-Integrates social, SPIRITUAL, and environmental dimensions 

-BIORIGHTS (all things have the right to life)

-Ecology and nature central to humanity 

-More SELF-RESTRAINT, more self-efficiency, less materialism, more education.

-Accomplished through EDUCATION

Technocentrism 

-TECHNOLOGY can solve environmental problems 

-OPTIMISTIC that HUMANS CAN IMPROVE the world 

-Encourages research and technological solutions 

How do you differentiate between open, closed, and isolated systems?

OPEN

-can exchange energy AND matter with surroundings

CLOSED

-can exchange energy but NOT matter

ISOLATED

-exchanges NEITHER energy nor matter

What elements belong in a systems diagram?

-Flows (Inputs and Outputs )

-Processes (Transfers and Transformations)

-Storages 

What are common strengths of models?

General Strengths

-Simplified view

-can predict the effects of changes on the ecosystem

-easy way to share info about a system

What are common limitations of models?

General Limitations(need to be specific when asked)

-have a lot of interrelated pieces 

-vary depending on the creator and data used

-Includes assumptions

-possibly biased

-can be interpreted differently

-inaccuracies because assumptions are made and there are too many variables to account for

Explain the difference between positive and negative feedback.

Positive

-become more unstable, original change is magnified in later steps 

Negative

-promotes stability original stress/change is undone

Be able to give examples of positive feedback loops related to polar ice caps.

-↑temp of planet=↑in melting ice/snow=↓amount of light the planet can reflect back into space=↑amount of light the planet absorbs=↑temp of planet

-Positive because the original change is magnified

What is the first law of thermodynamics?

Conservation of energy: Energy cannot be created or destroyed but it can change forms

What is an example of the first law of thermodynamics?

-food(chemical)→movement(kinetic) and heat (thermal)

What is the second law of thermodynamics?

-Entropy: the universe has tendency towards disorder (entropy). No conservation of energy is completely (100%) efficient

What is an example of the second law of thermodynamics?

Ex) Energy lost between trophic levels of the food chain

What is a tipping point?

the point of no return passed, can no longer be reversed, consequences become unavoidable. OUT OF EQUILIBRIUM

What is albedo? How are the values measured?

-reflectiveness (measured on a 0 to 1 scale)

What makes a given ecosystem more resilient than another?

-More resilient ecosystems more easily return to equilibrium

-Factors:

-Climate 

-Biodiversity (more biodiversity=easier to handle changes=more resilient)

What makes a resource renewable as opposed to non-renewable?

-Renewable is when the resource is being used at the same speed or slower than it is being made by earth. 

-Non-renewable is when a resource is being used faster than the earth makes it. 

What is natural capital?

- the natural resource 

-can be categorized as renewable, replenishable or non-renewable

What is natural income?

-the annual yield from natural resources 

-what we get from natural resources (goods and resources)

What is the purpose of an EIA (EIR)?

-inform decision makers about potential environmental, social, and economic impacts of a project

What are some variables measured as part of an EIA?

-Some variables include:  Aesthetics, Air quality, Biological Resources, Noise, Housing, Transportation/Traffic, ect…

What is a mitigation strategy?

-a strategy implemented to limit the biological impacts of a project 

-Ex)before trees are removed they should be checked for roosting bats 

For each type of pollution listed below, you should know some common sources as well as effects on ecosystems

·  Noise pollution

·  Thermal pollution

·  Light pollution

Noise pollution:

-Effects: disrupts animal behaviors such as communication (can’t hear warning calls and shorter calls), hunting behaviors, social bonding, bird migration, avoiding areas, finding mates, and stress response (weakened immune system, and don't properly respond to danger), etc…

-Sources: A/C units, transportation (cars, boats, planes etc…), drilling, concerts, oil and gas rigs 

Thermal pollution:

-Effects: Higher temperatures in rivers mean the water holds less dissolved O₂

-Sources: Mostly rivers that are used to cool power plants 

Light pollution:

-Effects: Disrupts animal behaviors such as bird migration. Reduces the number of visible stars. Lighted tall buildings are collision hazards for birds.

-Sources: Street lamps, buildings, cities, un-shielded light sources etc…

What are three of the major sources of conventional pollution?

-Mining and Quarrying 

-Agriculture-livestock

-Industry- furnace slag and ash, many hazardous wastes

What are the three levels of pollution management strategies?

1) Altering Human Activity (Before)

-Campaigns, education, laws, incentives 

2)Control Pollutants at the point of release (During)

-Emission standards, technology 

3) Clean up/ restore damaged ecosystems (After)

-Extract and remove from the ecosystem. Replant or restock 

What is the difference between a point source and a non-point source? What are some examples of each?

Point Source (Singular)

-Ex) Chernobyl, California Mine 

Non-Point Source (Plural)

-Ex) Excess fertilizer on crops, emissions from cars

What is the difference between acute and chronic exposure to toxins?

Acute- effects caused all at once

Chronic- effects caused overtime

What was DDT used for? Is DDT still used today?

DDT was used as a pesticide. DDT is still used in some countries (mostly used against mosquitos in countries that struggle with malaria)

What are three reasons why lead poisoning is more of a concern with children than adults?

1. More likely to consume things they shouldn’t

2. Smaller so it takes less Pb to do damage

3. They are still developing, so the nervous system is less developed