AICE Environmental Science Vocabulary Terms Summary (copy)

Sustainability

Meeting present needs without compromising future generations' ability to meet theirs.

Condensation

Gas to liquid phase change.

Precipitation

Water falling from the atmosphere.

Interception

Water prevented from reaching the ground by vegetation.

Infiltration

Water entering the soil.

Surface Runoff

Water flowing above ground.

Throughflow

Lateral water movement through soil.

Groundwater Flow

Water flowing underground.

Transpiration

Water evaporation from plant leaves.

Evaporation

Liquid to gas phase change.

Ozone Layer

Atmospheric layer protecting Earth from UV radiation.

Biome

Group of ecosystems sharing similar climates and organisms.

Ecosystem

Interacting organisms and their physical environment.

Community

Different populations living together in an area.

Population

Group of individuals of the same species in one area.

Habitat

Where an organism lives.

Niche

An organism's role in its ecosystem.

Biotic Factor

Living component of the environment.

Abiotic Factor

Non-living component of the environment.

Limiting Factor

Restricts organism existence, numbers, reproduction, or distribution.

Interspecific Competition

Competition between different species.

Intraspecific Competition

Competition among individuals of the same species.

Grazing

Herbivory.

Predation

One organism killing another for food.

Chlorophyll

Pigment enabling photosynthesis.

Producer

Organism producing its own food.

Primary Consumer

Herbivore.

Secondary Consumer

Carnivore eating herbivores.

Tertiary Consumer

Carnivore eating other carnivores.

Decomposer

Breaks down dead organisms.

Trophic Levels

Feeding levels in a food chain.

Aerobic Respiration

Glucose breakdown releasing energy, CO2, and water.

Systematic Sampling

Regular spacing of sampling units.

Random Sampling

Equal chance of selection for each member.

Quadrat

Tool for sampling species within an area.

Point Quadrat

Using pins to assess organism abundance and distribution.

Pitfall Trap

Trapping animals living on or in the soil.

Sweep Nets

Sampling flying insects and invertebrates.

Beating Tray

Sampling invertebrates from vegetation.

Kick Sampling

Sampling aquatic invertebrates by disturbing substrate.

Light Traps

Sampling nocturnal flying organisms.

Capture-Mark-Recapture

Estimating population size.

Water Turbidity

Sediment reducing light penetration.

Questionnaires

Gathering information through questions.

Interviews

Person-to-person information gathering.

AFCOR

Abundance scale (abundant, common, frequent, occasional, rare, none).

Geospatial Systems

Analyzing and displaying geographical information.

Satellite Sensors

Measuring infrared radiation.

Radio Tracking

Tracking animal movement using radio transmitters.

Computer Modeling

Using computers to represent objects or concepts.

Crowd Sourcing

Obtaining information from many people.

Big Data

Large, complex datasets.

Dependency Ratio

Ratio of dependent to working-age population.

Desert

Extremely dry area with sparse vegetation.

Forest

Area with moderate precipitation and trees.

Grassland

Area dominated by grasses.

Tundra

Arctic treeless plain.

Primary Succession

Succession starting in an area with no soil.

Secondary Succession

Succession following a disturbance.

Pioneer Species

First species to colonize an area.

Climax Community

Stable, mature community.

Relative Timescale

Order of events from oldest to youngest.

Gross Primary Productivity (GPP)

Total solar energy captured by producers.

Net Primary Productivity (NPP)

GPP minus energy used for respiration.

Ecosystem Productivity

Biomass production rate.

Native Species

Species naturally occurring in an ecosystem.

Invasive Species

Non-native species negatively impacting an ecosystem.

Food Security

Access to sufficient, safe, and nutritious food.

Energy Security

Reliable and affordable energy access.

Long-Term Energy Security

Sustainable energy supply.

Short-Term Energy Security

Prompt response to supply changes.

Water Security

Access to clean water for various needs.

Hydroponics

Growing plants without soil in nutrient-rich water.

Aquaculture

Raising marine and freshwater organisms.

Acid Deposition

Acidic pollutants from the atmosphere.

Photochemical Smog

Air pollutants reacting in sunlight.

Polar Vortex

Isolated air masses around the poles.

Polar Stratospheric Clouds (PSCs)

Ice clouds facilitating ozone depletion.

Greenhouse Gases

Gases trapping infrared radiation.

Geo-engineering

Intentional manipulation of the environment.

Solar Radiation Management

Reflecting sunlight to reduce warming.