Environmental Science Exam

questions only

What are the goals of environmental science?

Learn how the world runs, understand how humans fit in/interact with the world, and find ways to live sustainably

How are ecosystems and natural resources linked?

ecosystems are the systems that produce and provide natural resources

What environmental problems lead to natural resource degradation?

deforestation, overfishing, pollution, overconsumption, and climate change

What is the purpose of ecological footprint and IPAT?

calculates biocapacity and ecological deficit; measures population size, affluence, and technology to show the environmental impact of human activity

What are the causes of environmental problems?

population growth, affluence, and poverty

How does environmental degradation come from affluence?

waste and overconsumption

How does environmental degradation come from poverty?

hyperfocus on survival overrides care for the environment

What are the differences in the environmental worldviews (human, life, earth)?

1. claim’s the world’s job is to support humans and we are its master

2. all species have value even if they are not valuable to human; they should be protected from extinction

3. humans are important and are a part of nature, but humans need to preserve all nature

How did environmental conservation rise in the US?

20th century factions (preservationism led by John Muir and conservatism led by Theodore Roosevelt)

What is the difference between conservation and preservation?

Preservationists want areas with no human interaction. Conservationist want humans to use resources wisely and sustainable without setting aside land

How to create an environmentally sustainable society?

• bring awareness to environmental issues'

• make full-cost pricing nonnegotiable

• find alternatives to burning fossil fuels

What are the building blocks of matter?

protons, neutrons, electrons, atoms, and molecules

What are the differences between chemical and physical changes?

A physical change does not change the composition of matter, while a chemical change does

What is the First Law of Thermodynamics (conservation of matter)?

whenever matter undergoes a physical or chemical change no atoms are created or destroyed

What are the different forms of energy?

kinetic, thermal, and potential

What is the Second Law of Thermodynamics?

whenever energy is converted from one form to another, it ends up with less-usable energy

What are the key components of a system?

Input, output, and function

How does a system respond to change? (2.4)

What are the four major spheres of life on Earth?

geosphere, atmosphere, hydrosphere, and biosphere

How do energy and nutrients move through the ecosystem?

producers absorb the sun and when consumers absorb producers heat is released; nutrients is recycled in cycles by decomposers

What are trophic levels and why are pyramids used to model them?

feeding levels; to visually represent the decrease in energy or numbers of organisms at higher levels

How are producers, consumers, and decomposers essential to a functioning ecosystem?

they drive the flow of energy and the cycling of nutrients within an ecosystem

What is the process of photosynthesis?

producers converting light energy into chemical energy, or sugar, using carbon dioxide and water (6CO₂ + 12H₂O + light energy → C₆H₁₂O₆ + 6O₂ + 6H₂O.)

What is the process of cellular respiration?

cells converting chemical energy glucose into energy [C₆H₁₂O₆ + 6O₂ → 6CO₂ + 6H₂O + ATP (energy)]

How does the water cycle work and how do humans impact it?

evaporation, condensation, precipitation, and collection;Deforestation, water extraction, farming

How does the nitrogen cycle work and how do humans impact it?

nitrogen fixation, nitrification, assimilation, ammonification, and denitrification ;Fertilizers and fossil fuels

How does the phosphorus cycle work and how do humans impact it?

Weathering of rocks creates phosphorus which lands in water and creates sediment that turns into rocks again; mining

How does the carbon cycle work and how do humans impact it?

photosynthesis, respiration/decomposition/combustion;Deforestation and burning of fossil fuels

Compare and Contrast field and laboratory research

Field research involves studying phenomena in their natural environment, offering high external validity but lack of internal validity. Laboratory research takes place in a controlled environment, allowing for high internal but sacrificing generalizability

Why is it valuable to create mathematical models for studying natural systems?

they provide a way to understand complex phenomena, test hypotheses, and predict future behavior that are often impossible to conduct directly in the field or lab

What are the components of biodiversity? (2.1)

genetic, species, and environment

What is the relationship between biodiversity, resistance, and resilience?

Biodiversity typically enhances an ecosystem's resistance and resilience

What are the scientific factors of sustainability (1.1)?

1. Solar energy

2. Biodiversity

3. Nutrient cycling

What are the social factors of sustainability (1.1)

1. Economics = full cost pricing,

2. Finding win-win solutions = boosts environment without breaking the economy

3. Ethical duty = take care of the planet for the future