Introduction to Environmental Science Exam #1

Environmental Science

Study of human-environment interactions to solve problems.

Natural Resources

Essential materials like water and air for survival.

Ecosystem Services

Benefits like pollination that sustain life and economy.

Population Growth

Increase in population leading to resource consumption.

Resource Consumption

Use of natural resources impacting the environment.

Ecological Footprint

Measures environmental impact from resource use.

Environmental Ethics

Moral relationship between humans and the environment.

Anthropocentrism

Human-centered ethical perspective on the environment.

Biocentrism

Life-centered ethical perspective valuing all living beings.

Ecocentrism

Ecosystem-centered ethical perspective prioritizing ecological balance.

Environmental Justice

Fair distribution of environmental benefits and burdens.

Sustainability

Using resources without compromising future generations.

Renewable Energy

Energy from sources that replenish naturally.

Sustainable Agriculture

Farming practices that maintain ecological balance.

Recycling

Process of converting waste into reusable materials.

Scientific Method

Systematic process for exploring and understanding phenomena.

Observational Studies

Data collection without manipulating the environment.

Experimental Studies

Controlled conditions with manipulated variables.

Natural Experiments

Studies using natural variations without intervention.

Manipulative Experiments

Deliberate alteration of variables by researchers.

Data Visualization

Graphs and figures representing data relationships.

Critical Thinking

Assessing information sources for credibility and bias.

Environmental Systems

Biotic and abiotic components interacting in networks.

Negative Feedback Loops

output resulting from a system moving in one direction acts as an input that moves the system in the other direction.

Positive Feedback Loops

instead of stabilizing a system, it drives it further toward an extreme.

Matter

Substance made of atoms and molecules.

Energy

Ability to do work, existing in various forms.

First Law of Thermodynamics

Energy cannot be created or destroyed, only transformed.

Second Law of Thermodynamics

Energy tends to change from a more-ordered to a less ordered state

Photosynthesis

Captures sunlight to create glucose in plants.

Cell Respiration

Breaks down glucose to release energy.

Chemosynthesis

Produces energy using inorganic molecules without sunlight.

Ecosystems

Includes all living organisms and their physical environment.

Nutrient Cycles

Processes that recycle nutrients in ecosystems.

Energy Flow

Transfer of energy through trophic levels in ecosystems.

Trophic Relationships

Feeding relationships among organisms in an ecosystem.

Landscape Ecology

Studies spatial patterns of ecosystems and ecological processes.

Ecosystem Services

Benefits humans receive from ecosystems, like water purification.

Water Cycle

Moves water between oceans, atmosphere, and land.

Carbon Cycle

Circulates carbon through respiration, photosynthesis, and combustion.

Nitrogen Cycle

Involves nitrogen fixation, nitrification, and denitrification processes.

Phosphorus Cycle

Moves phosphorus through rocks, soil, and organisms.

Reservoirs

Storage locations for elements in biogeochemical cycles.

Fluxes

The rate of movement of elements between reservoirs.

Eutrophication

Excess nutrients cause algal blooms and oxygen depletion.

Hypoxic Dead Zones

Areas with low oxygen where marine life cannot survive.

Climate

Long-term average of weather patterns over time.

Weather

Short-term atmospheric conditions in a specific area.

Natural Climate Change

Results from volcanic activity and solar radiation.

Anthropogenic Climate Change

Driven by human activities like fossil fuel burning.

Greenhouse Effect

Traps heat in the atmosphere, enhanced by human activities.

Causes of Climate Change

Greenhouse gas emissions from industry and agriculture.

Effects of Climate Change

Includes rising temperatures and loss of biodiversity.

Quantifying Climate Change

Uses ice cores, tree rings, and satellite technology.

Evidence of Anthropogenic Climate Change

Rising temperatures and increased CO2 levels correlate with industrialization.

Adaptation to Climate Change

Measures like flood defenses or drought-resistant crops.

Mitigation of Climate Change

Focuses on reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

Freshwater Distribution

Only 2.5% of Earth's water is freshwater.

Human Use of Freshwater

Used for agriculture, industry, and drinking.

Water scarcity

Insufficient freshwater due to overuse and pollution.

Water conservation

Efforts to use less water and preserve resources.

Desalination

Process of removing salt from seawater for freshwater.

Improved irrigation techniques

Efficient methods to water crops and reduce waste.

Nutrient pollution

Excess nutrients causing algal blooms in water bodies.

Pathogens

Microorganisms causing diseases in water sources.

Toxic chemicals

Harmful substances contaminating water systems.

Thermal pollution

Temperature increase in water affecting ecosystems.

Filtration

Process of removing particles from drinking water.

Disinfection

Killing harmful microorganisms in water treatment.

Marine environments

Aquatic ecosystems influenced by salinity and temperature.

Ocean acidification

Decrease in ocean pH due to CO2 absorption.

Coral reefs

Diverse marine ecosystems built by coral organisms.

Mangroves

Coastal trees providing habitat and erosion protection.

Estuaries

Where freshwater meets saltwater, rich in biodiversity.

Deep sea

Oceanic zone with high pressure and low light.

Marine pollution

Contamination of oceans affecting marine life.

Overfishing

Depleting fish stocks faster than they can reproduce.

Marine protected areas (MPAs)

Designated regions to conserve marine biodiversity.

Ocean Cleanup Project

Initiative to remove plastic from waterways. Interceptor 007 is the one currently working at Ballona Creek.

Amazon rainforest

Vital ecosystem for carbon storage and biodiversity.

Forest biomes

Different types of forests based on climate.

Deforestation

Clearing forests leading to biodiversity loss.

Sustainable forestry

Managing forests to meet current and future needs.

Clear-cutting

Complete removal of trees in an area.

Selective cutting

Harvesting specific trees while preserving others.

Climate change impacts

Alterations in ecosystems due to global temperature rise.

Wildlife crossings

Structures allowing animals to cross roads safely.

Reliability of information

Who is presenting the information? Why is the information being presented? How reliable is the information?