MIDTERM SCIENCE

Ecosystem

A community of living (biotic) and non-living (abiotic) things interacting in an environment.

Natural Resources

Resources that can be classified as renewable (replenish naturally) or nonrenewable (take millions of years to form).

Ecological Footprint

A measure of how much land/resources a person or population uses.

Scientific Method

The process of observing, questioning, hypothesizing, experimenting, and concluding in science.

Peer Review

The process where scientists review and evaluate each other’s work before publication.

Anthropocentrism

An environmental ethic that prioritizes humans.

Biocentrism

An environmental ethic that considers all living things as having intrinsic value.

Ecocentrism

An environmental ethic that emphasizes the importance of the entire ecosystem.

Preservation

An environmental ethic aimed at keeping nature untouched.

Conservation

The responsible use of natural resources to promote sustainability.

Sustainability

Using resources in a way that does not deplete them for future generations.

Hypoxia

Oxygen depletion in water bodies caused by excess nutrients.

Eutrophication

A process where excess nutrients lead to algal blooms, harming aquatic ecosystems.

Lithosphere

The solid outer part of the Earth, consisting of soil and rock.

Atmosphere

The layer of gases surrounding the Earth.

Hydrosphere

All water bodies on Earth, including oceans, rivers, and lakes.

Biosphere

The global sum of all ecosystems where life exists.

Autotrophs

Organisms that produce their own food through photosynthesis.

Heterotrophs

Organisms that consume other organisms for energy.

Biogeochemical Cycles

Processes that cycle essential elements through ecosystems, like carbon and nitrogen cycles.

Natural Selection

The process through which species adapt to their environment.

Adaptation

A change in a species that enhances its survival and reproduction.

Artificial Selection

The human practice of breeding organisms for desired traits.

Biodiversity

The variety of life in a particular ecosystem.

Carrying Capacity

The maximum population an environment can support sustainably.

Endemic Species

Species that are found only in a specific geographical area.

Native Species

Species that naturally belong to a specific area.

Invasive Species

Non-native species that disrupt local ecosystems.

Speciation

The formation of new and distinct species in the course of evolution.

Ecological Niche

The role and function of a species within an ecosystem.

Natural Ecosystems

Ecosystems that are largely untouched by human activity.

Artificial Ecosystems

Ecosystems that are created or significantly altered by humans.

Ecotourism

Tourism directed towards conservation of the environment.

China’s One-Child Policy

A law aimed at controlling population growth in China.

IPAT Model

A formula that represents environmental impact as a function of population, affluence, and technology.

Age Structure Diagrams

Graphs that show the distribution of population by age.

Diminishing Population Rates

A trend where some countries experience declining birth rates.

Monoculture

The agricultural practice of growing a single crop over a wide area.

Polyculture

The practice of growing multiple crops in a given space to promote biodiversity.

Industrial Agriculture

High-yield farming methods that often rely on chemical fertilizers and pesticides.

Sustainable Agriculture

Farming practices that focus on environmentally friendly methods.

Pesticides

Chemicals used to kill pests, which can lead to environmental problems like eutrophication.

Organic Farming

Farming that avoids synthetic chemicals, focusing on eco-friendly practices.

Aquaculture

The farming of aquatic organisms to meet seafood demand.

Rachel Carson’s Silent Spring

A book that raised awareness about the dangers of pesticides.

Carcinogens

Substances that are known to cause cancer.

Toxicants

Harmful chemicals found in the environment.

Endocrine Disruptors

Chemicals that interfere with hormonal systems.

Precautionary Principle

The strategy of assuming substances are harmful until proven safe.

Toxic Substances Control Act

A U.S. law that regulates the introduction of new or already existing chemicals.

REACH

A European Union regulation that improves the protection of human health and the environment from the risks that can be posed by chemicals.