June exam CH1-CH4.2

Environment

All living and non-living things interacting in a particular area.

System

A set of interrelated parts working together through inputs, processes, and outputs.

Sustainability

Using resources in a way that meets current needs without compromising future generations.

Natural Capital

Natural resources and ecosystems that provide goods and services.

Environmental Value System (EVS)

A world view or paradigm shaping how people perceive and evaluate environmental issues.

Ecological Footprint

The area of land and water required to sustainably provide resources and absorb waste.

Ecosystem

A community of living organisms and their non-living environment interacting as a system.

Biotic Factors

Living components of an ecosystem (plants, animals, bacteria).

Abiotic Factors

Non-living components (water, soil, temperature).

Niche

The role or function of an organism within an ecosystem.

Population

Group of organisms of the same species living in a particular area.

Community

All populations of different species living and interacting in an area.

Producer (Autotroph)

Organisms that produce their own food through photosynthesis.

Consumer (Heterotroph)

Organisms that obtain energy by consuming other organisms.

Decomposer

Organisms that break down dead material and recycle nutrients.

Food Chain

A linear sequence showing who eats whom.

Food Web

A network of interconnected food chains.

Biomass

Total mass of living organisms in a given area.

Productivity

Rate of production of biomass.

Gross Primary Productivity (GPP)

Total energy captured by producers.

Net Primary Productivity (NPP)

Energy remaining after producers use energy for respiration (NPP = GPP - respiration).

Energy Flow

Transfer of energy through trophic levels in an ecosystem (always decreases due to the 10% rule).

Trophic Level

Position an organism occupies in a food chain/web.

Biodiversity

The variety of life in all its forms and levels.

Genetic Diversity

Variety of genes within a species.

Species Diversity

Number of different species in an ecosystem.

Ecosystem Diversity

Variety of ecosystems within a region.

Endemic Species

Species native to and found only within a specific area.

Invasive Species

Non-native species that cause harm to the environment.

Conservation

Protection and management of biodiversity to prevent extinction.

Sustainable Yield

Harvesting resources at a rate that does not exceed regeneration.

IUCN Red List

International list categorizing species according to extinction risk.

Habitat Fragmentation

Breaking of habitats into smaller, isolated patches.

Pollution

Introduction of harmful substances or products into the environment.

Point Source Pollution

Pollution from a single, identifiable source.

Non-Point Source Pollution

Pollution from diffuse sources, not easily traced.

Biodegradable Pollutant

Pollutant that can be broken down naturally.

Non-biodegradable Pollutant

Pollutant that does not break down easily.

Acid Deposition

Acidic pollutants falling to the ground as wet or dry deposition.

Eutrophication

Excess nutrients (mainly nitrogen and phosphorus) causing algal blooms and oxygen depletion.

Thermal Pollution

Release of heated water or air causing changes in temperature.

Bioaccumulation

Build-up of substances, like pesticides, in an organism.

Biomagnification

Increase in concentration of a pollutant as it moves up the food chain.

Primary Pollutant

Pollutant emitted directly from a source.

Secondary Pollutant

Pollutant formed by chemical reactions in the atmosphere.

Mitigation

Actions taken to reduce or prevent pollution.

Remediation

Cleaning up and restoring polluted environments.