Environment and resources

ecological footprint

the impact of a person or community on the environment, expressed as the amount of land required to sustain their use of natural resources.

Hetorotroph

an organism that eats plants and animals for energy

peer-reviewed journal

Published writings that have been analyzed by experts in the field

Biodiversity

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

Turbidity

the quality of being cloudy, opaque, or thick with suspended matter. (water)

top predator

eats other species but is not a food source for any other species

natrual resources

Materials or substances such as minerals, forests, water, and fertile land that occur in nature and can be used for economic gain

carrying capacity

Largest number of individuals of a population that a environment can support

E. coli

Bacteria found in animal and human intestines. may be found in raw or under cooked foods, or water

Bioaccumulation

The accumulation of a substance, such as a toxic chemical, in various tissues of a living organism.

trophic level

step in a food chain or food web

food chain

A series of steps in which organisms transfer energy by eating and being eaten

renewable resource

A natural resource that can be replaced at the same rate at which the resource is consumed

rule of ten

only 10% of energy is transferred at each trophic level

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.

Sustainability

The ability to keep in existence or maintain. A sustainable ecosystem is one that can be maintained

food web

all of the food chains in a single ecosystem

carbon cycle

The organic circulation of carbon from the atmosphere into organisms and back again

Autotroph

An organism that makes its own food

Producer

a photosynthesizing organism, any green plant.

Neoliberalism

A strategy for economic development that calls for free markets, balanced budgets, privatization, free trade, and minimal government intervention in the economy.

pH

a measure of how acidic or basic a solution is

Ontario Ring of Fire

a large mineral based area that contains vital minerals in creating sustainable batteries and cars

Non-renewable resources

a resource that cannot be reused or replaced easily (ex. gems, iron, copper, fossil fuels)

ecosystem diversity

variety of habitats, living communities, and ecological processes in the living world

which species are the most effected by bioaccumalation

the producers (bottom of the foodchain)

explain the term "tragedy of the commons"

a social or political metaphor used when referring to economic issues. it can also involve humans acting inhuman.

What are the global commons?

the earth's unowned natural resources, such as the oceans, the atmosphere, and space.

what can humanity do to protect the global commons?

protect ecosystems, pollute less, create sustainable solutions

What is an invasive species?

A non-native species that has spread far beyond its original point of introduction and causes environmental or economic damage by colonizing and dominating suitable habitats

what are examples of invasive species that are currently in the great lakes?

Sea Lamprey, Zebra and Round Goby

what are the impacts of invasive species?

causing extinction of native species, reducing biodiversity ruining habitats

Walkerton "was an important example of a 'normal accident' of neoliberalism. explain

This is because the government did not intervene with this issue. they privatized the water supply and creating laws and rules so that the government wouldn't be at fault for this issue.

explain the importance of biodiversity

biodiversity is important because it increases the stability of an ecosystem and contributes to the health of the biosphere

how does biodiversity relate to sustainability?

sustainability was created to protect biodiversity from the harm that humans have done to it.

what are the characteristics of a natural resource-based community?

they live off the land. rely on animals for food and lakes for water. they tend to live in small communities.

hoe does the discovery of a natural resource effect the residence of a community and the community's development?

because natural resources are hard to locate as soon as companies find them, they mine them out and do not tend to care about the communities life.

what happens to a resource dependent community when the resource is no longer profitable?

the community has to find new resources and have to find a new place to live as there is no more resources available to them.

why is understanding someones environmental attitude important in the study of environmental issues?

understanding this is important because it helps figure out there perspective and opinions on the environment. this will effect there opinions on the environment.