Unit 2 AIce Environmental Management Vocab

Environmental Impact Assessment ( EIA)

The evaluation of the environment consequences of a plan, policy, or project before a decision is made to move forward with it.

Titanium Dioxide

A metal commonly found in plants and animals and the ninth most common element in Earth’s crust. It is a white powder that can be made into a bright white pigment. It is used in products such as paint, paper, plastic, ink, soap, food colouring, and sunscreen.

Scientific Method

A procedure that involves systematic observation, measurement, and experiment to test hypotheses.

Data

A set of information, in the form of facts, numbers, measurements, and statistics, that can be used for analysis.

Observation

To watch. view, or note for scientific investigation.

Qualitative Data

data that is non-numerical, or descriptive. These data are collected through observations, interviews, and focus groups.

Quantitative Data

Data that is numerical. Giving the quantity, range, or amount for a variable. For example, monthly rain fall.

Prediction

A statement of the expected results of an experiment if they hypothesis is true.

Bias

When a scientist knowingly or unknowingly incorporates systematic errors into sampling or testing by selecting or encouraging one outcome over another.

Statistics

The practice of collecting, analysing, and interpreting numerical data in large quantities. This includes ways of reviewing and drawing conclusions from the data. Statistics are a way to see patterns in numerical data or to determine whether data shows a difference between two treatments.

Variable

A factor that can change quantity, quality, or sixe regarding the category of data that is being measured. (e.g. rainfall)

Independent Variable

A variable that stands alone and is not changed by other variables. It is the variable being changed in the experiment to test the hypothesis.

Dependent Variable

A variable that depends on other factors. It is the variable being measured in the experiment.

Control Group

The group of test subjects is left untreated or unexposed to the independent variable. The results from this group are then compared to the results if these test subjects.

Sample

a set of data ( number of plants, number of species, plant distribution) taken from a larger population for measurement

Control Variable

any variable that is held constant in an experiment

limitations

shortcomings in a study that can influence the information collected. These include research design, methodology, materials, and time constraints

reliable data

data that is reasonably complete and accurate, works toward answering the hypothesis in a clear and transparent manner and has not been inappropriately altered.

scientific theory

an explanation of an aspect of the natural world that has been tested repeatedly to verify it through the use of the scientific method

model

a scientific model is the production of a physical, conceptual or mathematical representation of a real occurrence that is difficult to observe

containment boom

tubing that is normally filled with air to allow it to float on the surface of water and stop the movement of an oil spill on the surface of the water

unbiased

not affected or influenced by a person’s beliefs or opinions

climate change

detectable change in the global temperatures. it is also referred to as global warming.

sceptic

a person who doubts or does not believe in a concept or hypothesis

false reporting

the reporting of information that is false, fabricated or biased

confirmation bias

when data that does not fit with the hypothesis is ignored. Data is then interpreted to support the hypothesis, even when some of it may not.

volcanism

any process associated with surface discharge of molten rock, hot water, or steam from inside the Earth

oceanic circulation

the large-scale movement of waters in the ocean basins through ocean currents and the oceanic conveyor belt system.

solar variation

fluctuations in the amount of radiation output from the sun

sea ice

the ice that floats on the surface of the oceans and the seas

surface mass balance

the balance between the build-up of and loss of glacial surface

climate model

a computer simulation of Earth’s climate system using mathematical equations. It seeks to stimulate the outcomes of changes to factors that influence Earth’s climate

Primary data

information that is collected by the researcher ( e.g. rainfall which is collected daily and recorded)

secondary data

data that is collected by somebody else in a separate investigation ( e.g. climate data from the local airport)

greenwashing

the process of presenting is leading information ( often to consumers) about how a product is more environmentally friendly than it actually is

conservation

the protection and scientific management of natural areas to protect biodiversity in a sustainable manner

veracity

the ability to verify or confirm data

velocity

speed with magnitude and direction

data stream

the process of transmitting a continuous flow of data, typically via data processing software

variety

diverse data

value

to have a use, or a worth

terabyte

a unit of information equal to one million million ( 10 to the 12th power)

random sampling

samples based on drawing names/numbers out of a hat or using a computer program to give a random list

systematic sampling

choosing a sampling based on regular intervals rather than random selection

quadrat

typically one square metre samples, selected for assessing the local distribution of plants or animals

sedentary

organisms that do not move, such as plants or rocky shore species like the barnacle

frequency

how often a specific species ( e.g. plant) occurs in a sample

turbidity

the cloudiness or haziness of water; the lower the visibility the higher the turbidity

population density

the number of individuals of a species living in a specific unit of area ( e.g. square metre or mile)

population size

the number of individuals in a population

questionnaire

a form with series of questions for respondents to complete which is designed to seek data for an investigation

closed question

yes or no answers, or answers where the respondent can select an answer from tickable boxes

open question

questions that allow the respondent to give a free-from answer with opinions and detailed information

pilot survey

a survey carried out prior to a full-scale study. Designed to identify areas for improvement before the full study is carried out

interview

when people meet face to face, or via the phone, with one person asking questions and another answering them

percentage cover

a measure of how much space an organism is taking up as a proportion of a specified area

abundance

calculating abundance means counting the number of specific organisms present. Abundance can be low, with few individuals present. Where abundance is high many of the identified organisms are present.

geospatial/ geographic information systems (GIS)

electronic mapping systems designed to capture, store, analyze, and manage geographic information

big data

extremely large sets of numerical information collected using technology and analyses using computers

volume

an amount or quantity of something

petabyte

a unit of information equal to one thousand million million ( 10 to the 15th power)

exabyte

a unit of information equal to one quintillion (10 to the 18th power)