ess paper 2

Environmental value system (EVS)

A worldview or set of beliefs that influences how someone perceives and responds to environmental issues.

Ecocentric

Nature has intrinsic value; prioritises ecological integrity, biodiversity and living within environmental limits.

Anthropocentric

Human needs and interests are central; nature is valued largely for its benefits to people.

Technocentric

Technology, innovation and scientific management can solve environmental problems and allow continued development.

Intrinsic value

The value something has simply because it exists, independent of its usefulness to humans.

Instrumental value

The value something has because it provides a benefit or service.

Worldview

A person's fundamental beliefs and assumptions about the world.

Environmental movement

Collective social and political action intended to protect the environment.

Stakeholder

An individual or group affected by, or able to influence, an environmental decision.

Conflict of interest

A situation in which different groups have competing priorities or desired outcomes.

System

A collection of interacting components that function together as a whole.

Open system

Exchanges both energy and matter with its surroundings

Closed system

Exchanges energy but not matter with its surroundings.

Isolated system

Exchanges neither matter nor energy

Boundary

The defined limit separating a system from its surroundings.

Input

Matter or energy entering a system

Output

Matter or energy leaving a system.

Storage

Matter or energy held within a system

Flow

Movement of matter or energy between components.

Transfer

Movement of matter or energy without changing its form

Transformation

A change in the chemical or physical nature of matter or energy.

Equilibrium

A condition in which opposing processes balance, so the system remains relatively stable.

Steady-state equilibrium

A dynamic condition in which inputs and outputs balance despite continuous movement through a system.

Static equilibrium

A condition in which there is no movement or change.

Feedback loop

A process in which the output of a system influences its future behaviour.

Negative feedback

Reduces or counteracts an initial change, helping stabilise the system.

Positive feedback

Amplifies an initial change, potentially destabilising the system.

Tipping point

A threshold beyond which a relatively small additional change can trigger a major shift in the system.

Regime shift

A transition from one relatively stable state to another

Resilience

The ability of a system to absorb disturbance and recover while retaining its essential functions.

Resistance

The ability of a system to withstand disturbance without changing significantly.

Carrying capacity

The maximum population size an environment can sustainably support.

Model

A simplified representation of reality used to understand, explain or predict a system.

Threshold

the point at which a system changes behaviour.

System complexity

interactions between components can produce unpredictable outcomes.

Sustainability

Maintaining environmental, social and economic systems over time without undermining their future functioning.

Sustainable development

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

Intergenerational equity

Fairness between present and future generations.

Intragenerational equity

Fairness between people and groups within the same generation.

Environmental justice

Fair access to environmental benefits and protection from environmental harm, regardless of social or economic status.

Ecological footprint

The biologically productive land and water area needed to supply a population's resource consumption and absorb its waste.

Biocapacity

The capacity of an area to regenerate renewable resources and absorb waste.

Ecological overshoot

When humanity's ecological footprint exceeds Earth's available biocapacity.

Carbon footprint

Total greenhouse gas emissions associated with an activity, individual, organisation or population, usually measured in CO₂-equivalent

Water footprint

The volume of freshwater used to produce goods and services.

Environmental indicator

A measurable variable used to assess environmental conditions or sustainability.

Sustainable development goals (SDGs)

The 17 UN goals addressing social, economic and environmental development.

Planetary boundaries

Scientific limits within which humanity can operate without destabilising Earth's major systems.

Safe operating space

The range of conditions within which humanity can operate while reducing the risk of major environmental disruption.

Precautionary principle

Where there is a risk of serious or irreversible environmental harm, lack of complete scientific certainty should not be used to delay preventative action.

Polluter pays principle

Those responsible for pollution should bear the costs of managing or preventing it.

Environmental stewardship

Responsible management and protection of natural environments.

Three pillars of sustainability

a sustainable decision should all three dimensions (environmental, social and economic)

Doughnut economics model

inner boundary is the social foundation, the outer is the ecological ceiling. space between is safe space for humanity

Social foundation

minimum social conditions needed for human wellbeing.

Ecological ceiling

planetary boundaries that should not be exceeded

Regenerative economy

restores and works with natural cycles rather than depleting them.

Distributive economy

distributes wealth, opportunity and resources more equitably.

Linear economy

take–make–dispose model.

Circular economy

aims to minimise waste through reuse, repair, recycling and regeneration.

Species

Organisms capable of interbreeding and producing fertile offspring.

Population

Individuals of the same species living in a defined area at a given time.

Community

All populations of different species interacting in an area.

Ecosystem

A community of organisms and their abiotic environment interacting together.

Habitat

The place where an organism lives.

Ecological niche

The role of a species in its ecosystem, including its resource use and interactions.

Abiotic factors

Non-living environmental factors such as temperature, light, pH, salinity and water availability

Biotic factors

Living components and biological interactions, such as predation, competition and disease.

Limiting factor

A factor that restricts population growth, distribution or productivity.

Carrying capacity (K)

The maximum population an environment can support sustainably.

Population density

Number of individuals per unit area or volume.

Natality

birth rate

Mortality

death rate

Immigration

Movement of individuals into a population

Emigration

Movement of individuals out of a population.

Exponential growth

Population growth that accelerates under ideal conditions.

Logistic growth

Population growth that slows as it approaches carrying capacity.

Biotic potential

The maximum reproductive capacity of a population under ideal conditions.

Density-dependent factor

A factor whose effect increases with population density, e.g. competition or disease.

Density-independent factor

A factor affecting populations regardless of density, e.g. drought or fire.

Competition

Organisms competing for limited resources.

Predation

One organism hunts and consumes another.

Mutualism

both species benefit

Commensalism

One species benefits, while the other is largely unaffected.

Parasitism

One organism benefits at the expense of another

Intraspecific competition

Competition between members of the same species

Interspecific competition

Competition between different species

Sampling

Collecting data from a representative part of a population or ecosystem

Quadrat

A square sampling frame used to estimate abundance or distribution

Transect

A line along which organisms or environmental conditions are recorded

Random sampling

Sampling locations selected randomly to reduce bias

Systematic sampling

Samples taken at regular intervals

Capture-mark-release-recapture

A method for estimating mobile animal population size

Exponential growth shape

J curve

Logistic growth shape

S curve

Carrying capacity on graph

the population stabilises around K

Overshoot

the population temporarily exceed carrying capacity

dieback

population declines after overshooting available resources

Autotroph

Organism that produces organic compounds from inorganic substances.

Heterotroph

Organism that obtains organic matter by consuming other organisms or organic material.