APES Semester 1

Ecological Footprint

Quantifies the demand on Earth's ecosystems compared to the planet's biocapacity.

Overshoot

Occurs when resource consumption exceeds the natural replenishment rate, leading to depletion.

Sustainability

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

Environmental Science

Interdisciplinary field studying interactions between natural systems and human activities.

Ecosystem Services

Benefits provided by natural systems, including provisioning, regulating, cultural, and supporting services.

Nonrenewable Resources

Finite resources formed over geological timescales, such as fossil fuels and minerals.

Renewable Resources

Resources that can be replenished over short periods, such as solar and wind energy.

Critical Thinking

The ability to evaluate evidence and make informed decisions based on data.

Peer Review

The process by which scientific research is evaluated by experts before publication.

The Scientific Method

A systematic approach to investigation that includes observation, hypothesis, experimentation, and analysis.

Population Growth

An increase in population size that can lead to higher resource consumption and environmental degradation.

Ecocide Hypothesis

Theory that societal collapse results from ecological suicide due to resource overexploitation.

Resilience Hypothesis

Theory suggesting that islanders adapted sustainably to changing conditions and external pressures led to their collapse.

Natural Resources

Essential materials for human survival, categorized into renewable and nonrenewable resources.

Environmental Degradation

Depletion of the Earth's natural resources resulting from human activity.

Sustainable Practices

Methods aimed at managing resources responsibly to prevent depletion.

Climate Change

Long-term alteration of temperature and typical weather patterns in a place.

Carbon Footprint

Total greenhouse gas emissions caused directly and indirectly by an individual, organization, event, or product.

Biodiversity Loss

Decline in the variety of life, including species extinction and habitat destruction.

Interdisciplinary Approach

Combining knowledge from various academic disciplines to enhance understanding of complex issues.

Cultural Ecosystem Services

Non-material benefits people obtain from ecosystems, such as recreation and spiritual enrichment.