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Environmental Systems and Societies
A course that explores various environmental systems and the relationships between societies and their impact on the natural world.
Open system
A system in which both matter and energy can move in and out.
Closed system
A system where only energy can enter or leave, but matter is contained within.
Isolated system
A hypothetical system where no energy or matter can enter or leave.
Negative feedback loop
A process that stabilizes a system by counterbalancing changes.
Positive feedback loop
A process that amplifies changes, leading the system to a new equilibrium.
Biodiversity
The variety of life forms in a given ecosystem, encompassing species diversity, genetic diversity, and habitat diversity.
Carbon cycle
The series of processes by which carbon compounds are interconverted in the environment, primarily through photosynthesis and respiration.
Nitrogen cycle
The series of processes by which nitrogen and its compounds are interconverted in the environment and in living organisms.
Ecosystem
A community of living organisms in conjunction with the nonliving components of their environment, interacting as a system.
Photosynthesis
The process by which green plants and some other organisms use sunlight to synthesize foods from carbon dioxide and water.
Trophic levels
The hierarchical levels in an ecosystem, comprising producers, primary consumers, secondary consumers, and so on.
Primary producers
Organisms that produce biomass from photosynthesis or chemosynthesis, primarily plants.
Crude Birth Rate (CBR)
The number of live births per 1,000 people in a population per year.
Crude Death Rate (CDR)
The number of deaths per 1,000 people in a population per year.
Natural Increase Rate (NIR)
The difference between the birth rate and death rate of a population.
Demographic Transition Model
A model that describes population change over time with distinct stages of development.
Aquaculture
The cultivation of aquatic organisms in controlled environments for food production.
Eutrophication
The process by which a body of water becomes overly enriched with nutrients, leading to excessive growth of algae and depletion of oxygen.
Sustainable development
Development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.
Pollution
The introduction of harmful substances or contaminants into the environment.
Conservation
The protection and management of biodiversity and natural resources.
Biomagnification
The concentration of toxins in an organism as a result of its ingesting other plants or animals in which the toxins are more widely disbursed.
Ozone depletion
Reduction of the ozone layer caused by various human-made chemicals releasing chlorine and bromine.
Acid deposition
A secondary pollutant consisting of sulfuric acid and nitric acid falling to the ground in a wet (acid rain) or dry form.
Renewable energy
Energy obtained from resources that are naturally replenished, such as solar, wind, and hydropower.
Non-renewable resources
Resources that do not replenish at a rate sufficient to keep up with consumption, such as fossil fuels and minerals.
Carbon footprint
The total amount of greenhouse gases emitted directly or indirectly by an individual, organization, event, or product.
Overfishing
The depletion of fish stocks due to excessive fishing, threatening marine ecosystems.
Climate change
Long-term alteration of temperature and typical weather patterns in a place, primarily driven by human activities.
Greenhouse effect
A natural process where certain gases trap heat in the atmosphere, contributing to the warming of the planet.
Ecological footprint
A measure of human demand on Earth's ecosystems, representing the number of natural resources consumed.
Sustainable agriculture
Farming practices that prioritize environmental health, economic profitability, and social equity.
Urbanization
The increasing population shift from rural areas to urban centers, leading to urban growth.
Deforestation
The large-scale removal of trees from forests, leading to habitat loss and increased carbon emissions.
Ecosystem Services
The benefits provided by ecosystems to humans, including provisioning, regulating, cultural, and supporting services.
Climate Mitigation
Efforts to reduce or prevent the emission of greenhouse gases to limit global warming.
Biodiversity Hotspots
Regions that are rich in biodiversity and are under significant threat from human activities.
Green Infrastructure
A network of natural and semi-natural areas designed to provide ecosystem services and enhance biodiversity.
Bioremediation
The use of microorganisms or plants to remove or neutralize contaminants from soil and water.
Sustainable Fisheries
Fishing practices that maintain fish populations and ecosystem health while providing economic benefits.
Waste Management
The collection, transportation, and disposal of waste materials in a way that minimizes environmental impact.
Renewable Resource
A resource that can be replenished naturally over time, such as timber or solar energy.
Climate Adaptation
Actions taken to adjust to the effects of climate change, helping to minimize damage and exploit beneficial opportunities.
Land Use Planning
The process of evaluating and managing land in a way that balances economic, environmental, and social needs.
Soil Erosion
The removal of the top layer of soil by water, wind, or human activity, leading to loss of soil fertility.
Geomorphology
The study of landforms and the processes that shape the Earth's surface, including erosion and sedimentation.
Urban Heat Island Effect
The phenomenon where urban areas experience higher temperatures than their rural surroundings due to human activities.
Ecotourism
Responsible travel to natural areas that conserves the environment and improves the well-being of local people.
Sustainability Indicators
Metrics used to evaluate progress toward sustainability goals, such as carbon emissions or water quality.
Restoration Ecology
The scientific study and practice of restoring damaged ecosystems and habitats.
Ecological Succession
The process by which ecosystems change and develop over time, leading to a more stable and diverse community.
Food Web
A complex network of feeding relationships among organisms in an ecosystem, illustrating how energy and nutrients flow.
Carrying Capacity
The maximum number of individuals of a species that an environment can sustainably support.
Integrated Pest Management (IPM)
An ecological approach to pest control that uses a combination of methods to minimize environmental impact.
Carbon Sequestration
The process of capturing and storing atmospheric carbon dioxide to mitigate climate change.
Indicator Species
Species used to assess the health of an ecosystem, as their presence or absence reflects changes in environmental conditions.
