Key Concepts in Environmental Studies and Conservation

Ecological Imperialism

European colonization altered ecosystems significantly.

Portmanteau Biota

Mix of old and new species post-colonization.

Virgin Soil Epidemic

Native populations suffered from new diseases.

Pleistocene Overkill

Early humans hunted large animals to extinction.

Biodiversity Value

Provides clean air, water, food, and economic benefits.

Natura 2000

EU policy protecting key natural areas.

Conservation Biology

Discipline focused on protecting biodiversity.

Species Preservation

Focus on saving individual species from extinction.

Ecosystem Conservation

Protecting entire ecosystems and their functions.

Landscape Conservation

Preserving large areas of interconnected habitats.

Evidence for Pleistocene Overkill

Cut marks on bones indicate hunting by humans.

Alternative Extinction Theories

Climate change is a weaker explanation for extinctions.

Cultural Baggage of 'Natural'

Terms like 'natural' carry historical and cultural biases.

Endangered Species Act (ESA)

Federal law aimed at protecting endangered species.

ESA Provisions

Includes strong enforcement and tracking requirements.

Radical Environmental Legislation

ESA prioritizes species protection over other federal actions.

Recovery Plans

Strategies tailored to specific causes of species endangerment.

Impact of Horses

Reintroduced horses affected native plant populations.

Synergistic Species Interaction

Old and new species interact beneficially in ecosystems.

Malaria in Tropics

Disease made European colonization difficult in tropical areas.

Public Approval Post-Watergate

Nixon sought public support through environmental legislation.

Local Community Impact

'Natural' concepts can harm local communities' interests.

Rational Solutions Challenge

Cultural perceptions complicate environmental problem-solving.

DDT

Pesticide causing thinner eagle egg shells.

Bald Eagles

Species affected by DDT, leading to decreased births.

Grey Wolves

Species overhunted, leading to reintroduction efforts.

California Condor

Bird species harmed by lead poisoning.

Lead Ban

Legislation to protect California condors from poisoning.

Manatees

Marine mammals affected by boat collisions.

CITES Treaty

Global agreement to protect endangered species.

Appendix I

List of species with trade bans under CITES.

Illegal Wildlife Trade

Unethical trade harming conservation efforts.

PETA

Organization advocating against wildlife trade.

Captive Breeding

Conservation strategy for endangered species recovery.

Habitat Protection

Conservation method to safeguard species environments.

Keystone Species

Species whose loss significantly impacts ecosystems.

Umbrella Species

Species protecting other species through habitat conservation.

Conservation vs. Economic Development

Conflict between protecting species and economic growth.

Ecologists

Experts mediating conservation and economic conflicts.

Endangered Species Recovery Plan

Plan with clear goals and funding for recovery.

Judeo-Christian Religion

Influences Western attitudes towards nature since 1480.

Ecological Imperialism

Justification of colonization as divine duty.

Hinduism

Religion emphasizing harmony with nature.

Taoism

Philosophy promoting respect for the Earth.

Cloning Ethics

Concerns over moral implications of cloning.

10 a.m. Policy

Fire suppression strategy established after 1910 fires.

Fire Suppression Policy

US policy prioritizing fire control over natural processes.

Economic Interests

Timber industry's push for fire protection.

New Deal Impact

Increased federal funding for fire suppression technologies.

Public Attitudes

Wildfires seen as threats to homes and livelihoods.

Political Factors

Political forces sustained fire suppression despite ecological evidence.

Cold War Materials

Post-war resources aided fire management efforts.

Détente

Improved international collaboration on environmental issues.

Ecological Evidence

Accumulating data challenged fire suppression policies.

Bush Healthy Forest Act

Legislation favoring logging over ecological concerns.

Climate Change Effects

Rising temperatures complicate fire management strategies.

Real Estate Development

Increased development heightens wildfire risks since 1990s.

Geoengineering

Injecting aerosols to cool the planet, risky side effects.

Salton Sea Restoration

Freshwater addition to combat high salinity levels.

Coral Reef Conservation

Use of genetically modified corals for reef protection.

Wolf Reintroduction

Breeding and releasing wolves to restore ecosystems.

Demographic Transition Theory

Population changes linked to economic development stages.

High Birth Rates

Initial stage with both high birth and death rates.

Declining Death Rates

Second stage with improved healthcare reducing deaths.

Falling Birth Rates

Third stage where families choose smaller sizes.

Low Rates Stage

Final stage with both birth and death rates low.

Women's Education

Key factor in reducing birth rates in third stage.

Infant Mortality Predictor

Reliable indicator of health and economic performance.

Sustainable Economy Benefits

Improves health, community strength, and environmental quality.

Gaia Hypothesis

Earth functions as a self-regulating biological organism.

Geophysiology

Study of Earth's biological systems as a whole.

Lynn Margulis Contribution

Highlighted microorganisms' role in Earth's environmental regulation.

Criticism of Gaia

Anthropomorphism of Earth based on Greek mythology.

Serial Endosymbiosis Theory

Controversial theory on microorganisms' role in evolution.

Margulis's Impact

Her success challenged critics of the Gaia hypothesis.

Gaia Hypothesis

Theory linking Earth's systems and human values.

Positive Feedback Loop

Process amplifying effects, e.g., temperature rise.

Negative Feedback Loop

Process reducing effects, e.g., cooling mechanisms.

Albedo Effect

Surface reflectivity affecting solar energy absorption.

Biodiversity Loss

Decline in species variety due to climate change.

Consumerism

Demand for products driving high emissions.

Tragedy of the Commons

Shared resources overused due to individual greed.

No Technical Solution

Environmental issues lack purely technical fixes.

Saharasia Hypothesis

Climate shift led to desertification and cultural change.

Urban Sustainability

Efforts to maintain urban environments amid challenges.

Green Infrastructure

Sustainable design integrating nature in urban areas.

Renewable Energy

Energy from natural sources, reducing emissions.

Public Transport Efficiency

Optimized transit systems reducing urban carbon footprint.

Migration Benefits

Economic advantages from receiving migrants.

Malnutrition Studies

Research linking diet deficiencies to environmental changes.

Primate Behavior Studies

Research on primate responses to environmental stressors.

Lynn White's Argument

Judeo-Christianity promotes domination over nature.

Economic Opportunities

Job creation linked to migration and planning.

Climate Migration

Movement due to climate impacts, e.g., flooding.

Infrastructure Planning

Necessary development for managing migration effectively.

Overfishing Prevention

Regulations to protect fish populations from depletion.

Carbon Filtering

Techniques to reduce atmospheric carbon levels.

Solar Radiation Management

Geoengineering to reflect sunlight and cool Earth.