Unit 0 APES

Anthropogenic

Caused by human activities, especially concerning their impact on the natural environment and ecosystems.

Ecosystem Services

Benefits humans get from ecosystems.

Rachel Carson

Influential marine biologist and conservationist, author of Silent Spring.

Environmental Scientist

Studies how natural and human systems interact through research and monitoring.

Fracking (Hydraulic Fracturing)

A method of extracting oil or natural gas from underground rock by injecting high-pressure fluids.

Biological Diversity

Variety of life across genetic, species, and ecosystem levels.

Sustainability

Meeting present needs without compromising future generations.

Ecological Footprint

Measure of how much land/water area a person/population needs to produce resources and absorb waste.

First Law of Thermodynamics

Energy is not created or destroyed, only transformed.

Green Revolution

Mid-20th-century agricultural innovations for massive food production increase.

Cohesion

The attraction between water molecules; responsible for surface tension.

Affect of Population Growth

Strains resources and leads to increased environmental degradation.

Climate Change

Long-term shifts in temperatures and weather patterns, often due to human activity.

Pollination

The transfer of pollen to allow fertilization and reproduction in plants.

Habitat Destruction

Loss of a natural habitat, leading to loss of biodiversity.

Greenhouse Gases

Gases that trap heat in the atmosphere, such as CO₂ and methane.

Abiotic

Non-living components of an ecosystem, like sunlight and water.

Biotic

Living components of an ecosystem, such as plants and animals.

Chemical Reaction

Process where reactants transform into products.

pH Scale

Logarithmic scale that measures acidity or alkalinity.

Positive Feedback

Processes that amplify change in a system.

Nutrient Cycling

The movement of nutrients through ecosystems.

Density of Ice

Ice floats because it is less dense than liquid water.

Dimensional Analysis

Method of converting units using conversion factors.

Population Dynamics

Changes in population size and composition over time.

Acid-Base Interactions

Reactions involving the transfer of protons (H⁺) between substances.

Carrying Capacity

The maximum population size of a biological species that can be sustained by a given environment.

Bioaccumulation

The accumulation of substances, such as pesticides or other chemicals, in an organism.

Conservation

The protection of animals, plants, and natural resources.

Renewable Resources

Natural resources that can be replenished over time, such as solar energy or wind.

Non-renewable Resources

Natural resources that are finite and cannot be replenished on a human timescale, such as fossil fuels.