Environmental Systems and Societies Study Guide

Practice flashcards for key terms and definitions related to Environmental Systems and Societies.

Environmental Systems and Societies SL

An International Baccalaureate (IB) course focusing on the interaction between the environment and human societies.

Open System

A system where energy and matter can flow in and out.

Closed System

A system where only energy can flow in and out, while matter is contained.

Isolated System

A hypothetical system where nothing flows in or out.

Thermodynamics

The branch of physics that deals with heat and temperature and their relation to energy and work.

Negative Feedback Loop

A response mechanism that counteracts changes to stabilize a system.

Positive Feedback Loop

A response mechanism that amplifies changes and can destabilize a system.

Tipping Point

The threshold at which a system shifts to a different equilibrium state.

Biomes

Large ecological areas on the earth’s surface, with flora and fauna adapting to their environment.

Energy Flow

The transfer of energy through a food chain or ecosystem.

Carbon Cycle

The biogeochemical cycle by which carbon is exchanged among the biosphere, pedosphere, geosphere, hydrosphere, and atmosphere.

Nitrogen Cycle

The series of processes by which nitrogen and its compounds are interconverted in the environment and in living organisms.

Biodiversity

The variety of life in the world or in a particular habitat or ecosystem.

Sustainability

Meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.

Habitat Diversity

The range of different habitats in an ecosystem or biome.

Species Diversity

The number of different species and the relative abundance of each species within a particular area.

Genetic Diversity

The total number of genetic characteristics in the genetic makeup of a species.

Ecosystems

Communities of living organisms and their interactions with their environment.

Zonation

The distribution of different ecosystems or communities within a certain area.

Succession

The series of changes in an ecosystem that occur over time following a disturbance.

Primary Succession

The colonization of barren land by communities of organisms.

Secondary Succession

The re-colonization of an area following a disturbance that disrupts the ecosystem.

Carrying Capacity

The maximum number of individuals of a species that an environment can support sustainably.

Ecological Footprint

A measure of human demand on the Earth's ecosystems.

Biodiversity Loss

The decrease in the variety of life on Earth, attributed to factors like habitat destruction, climate change, and pollution.

Pollution

The introduction of harmful substances or products into the environment.

Climate Change

Long-term changes in temperature, precipitation, and other atmospheric conditions on Earth.

Greenhouse Gases

Gases that trap heat in the atmosphere and contribute to the greenhouse effect.

Photosynthesis

The process by which green plants and some other organisms use sunlight to synthesize foods with the help of chlorophyll.

Respiration

The process of breaking down glucose to release energy in living organisms.

Eutrophication

The process by which a body of water becomes overly enriched with minerals and nutrients, leading to excessive growth of algae.

Management Strategies

Methods and approaches used to manage natural resources and human impacts on the environment.

Conservation

The act of preserving, protecting, or restoring the natural environment and wildlife.

Thermal Inversions

A weather phenomenon that occurs when a layer of warm air traps cold air at the surface.

Acid Deposition

The falling of acids and acid-forming compounds from the atmosphere to the ground.

Renewable Resources

Natural resources that can be replenished naturally over time, such as solar energy and wind.

Non-renewable Resources

Resources that do not replenish at a sustainable rate, such as fossil fuels.

Habitat Fragmentation

The process by which larger habitats are divided into smaller, isolated patches.

Sustainable Agriculture

Farming practices that meet current food needs without compromising the ability of future generations to produce food.

Ecosystem Services

The benefits people obtain from ecosystems, including provisioning, regulating, cultural, and supporting services.

Natural Capital

Natural resources and ecosystem services that support life and economic activity.

Biodiversity Hotspots

Regions that are both rich in biodiversity and threatened by human activities.

Human Population Dynamics

The study of changes in population size, distribution, and composition over time.

Population Pyramids

Graphs that show the age and sex distribution of a population.

Urbanization

The increasing number of people living in urban areas as compared to rural areas.

Waste Management

The process of collecting, treating, and disposing of waste materials.

Aquaculture

The farming of aquatic organisms in controlled environments.

Desalination

The process of removing salt from seawater to produce fresh water.

Global Warming

The long-term rise in the earth's average surface temperature due to human activities.

Ecosystem Health

A measure of the state of an ecosystem and its ability to sustain biological diversity.

Scientific Method

A systematic approach to research and inquiry based on observation and experimentation.

Field Studies

Research conducted in natural settings to collect data in real-world conditions.

Community Engagement

The participation of individuals in decision-making processes that affect their environment.

NGOs (Non-Governmental Organizations)

Organizations independent of government influence that advocate for environmental protection.

IPCC (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change)

An international body assessing the science related to climate change.

CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species)

An international agreement to ensure that international trade in wild animals and plants does not threaten their survival.

Conservation Biology

The study of the preservation of biodiversity and the management of populations and ecosystems.

Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

A universal call to action to end poverty, protect the planet, and ensure prosperity for all by 2030.

Mitigation

Actions aimed at reducing the severity or impact of climate change.

Adaptation

Adjustments in natural or human systems in response to actual or expected climatic stimuli.

Rural Development

Efforts aimed at improving the quality of life and economic wellbeing in rural areas.

Tropical Rainforest

A biome characterized by high rainfall and diverse plant and animal life.

Pollinator Decline

The reduction in species of animals that pollinate plants, leading to impacts on food production.

Soil Degradation

The decline in soil quality caused by improper use or poor management.

Freshwater Scarcity

The lack of sufficient available fresh water resources to meet water needs.

Environmental Justice

The fair treatment and meaningful involvement of all people in environmental laws.

Climate Resilience

The capacity of a system to anticipate, prepare for, respond to, and recover from climatic disruptions.

Biosphere

The global sum of all ecosystems, where life exists.

Ecosystem Restoration

The process of assisting the recovery of an ecosystem that has been degraded.

Bioremediation

The use of living organisms to remove or neutralize contaminants from soil and water.

Water Security

The capacity of a population to ensure that it will have adequate water resources for future generations.

Destructive Fishing Practices

Methods of fishing that cause substantial damage to marine ecosystems.

Waste-to-Energy

The process of generating energy by converting non-recyclable waste materials into usable forms of energy.

Food Production Systems

Processes used to produce food, including agriculture and aquaculture practices.

Soil Horizons

Layers of soil that differ in texture, composition, and color.

Permafrost

Ground that remains completely frozen for at least two consecutive years.

Invasive Species

Non-native organisms that spread widely in a new environment and cause harm to the ecosystem.

Microbial Cycling

The processes of nutrient cycling that involve microorganisms.

Coastal Erosion

The loss of coastal land due to wave action, tides, currents, and human activity.

Ozone Layer

A region of Earth's stratosphere that absorbs most of the sun's harmful ultraviolet radiation.

Eco-cultural Restoration

Efforts to restore ecosystems while considering cultural elements integral to local communities.

Silent Spring

A book by Rachel Carson highlighting the dangers of pesticides and their impact on the environment.

Bhopal Disaster

A gas tragedy in India that exposed thousands to methyl isocyanate gas.

Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs)

Chemical compounds that deplete the ozone layer and are used in various industrial applications.

Paris Agreement

An international treaty aiming to limit global warming to below 2 degrees Celsius.

Natural Selection

The process whereby organisms better adapted to their environment tend to survive and produce more offspring.

Scientific Consensus

Generally accepted opinion within the scientific community regarding a specific hypothesis.

Ecological Model

A simplified representation of the relationships in an ecosystem.

Human Dimensions of Climate Change

Understanding how human actions impact climate and how climate change impacts human societies.

Interdisciplinary Approach

Combining multiple fields of study to understand complex environmental issues.

Renewable Energy Applications

The use of clean energy sources like solar, wind, and hydro to meet energy needs sustainably.

Waste Audit

An evaluation of the waste generated in a specific context to improve management and reduction practices.

Urban Heat Island Effect

Urban areas being significantly warmer than their rural surroundings due to human activities.

Carbon Footprint

The total greenhouse gas emissions caused by an individual, event, organization, or product.

Aquatic Ecosystems

Freshwater and marine environments inhabited by organisms adapted to living in water.

Climate Adaptation

The adjustments in practices, processes, or structures to minimize damage caused by climate change.

Hydrological Cycle

The continuous movement of water on, above, and below the surface of the Earth.

Earth Summit

A major United Nations conference on sustainable development.

Kyoto Protocol

An international agreement that commits state parties to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Greenhouse Effect

The warming of Earth’s surface due to trapped sunlight by greenhouse gases.