Environmental Science Lecture Notes

This set of flashcards covers key terms and concepts from the environmental science notes, focusing on definitions and significant ideas for understanding the material.

Hypothesis

A question or work proposal.

Observation

First step in the scientific method

Policy

A formalized plan that addresses a desired outcome or goal.

Triple Bottom Line

Solutions must be good for the environment, good for society, and affordable.

Open Access

Type of land tenure that allows access to everyone.

Biomes

Biotic units classified by predominant plant types.

Community

An assemblage of populations living in the same place at the same time.

Population

A group of individuals of the same species that live together in the same place.

Photosynthesis Products

O2 and sugar.

Main outcome of respiration

ATP.

Natural Selection

The main driving force of evolution.

Biological entity that evolves

Populations.

Biodiversity

The diversity of species, global or in a given area.

Types of Natural Selection

There are 3 types.

Invasive Species

Organisms introduced to places they have never occurred.

Threatened Species

Species threatened by habitat destruction and lack of funds for research.

K-selected species

Organisms such as whales.

Ecological Diversity

Made up of species richness and abundance.

Carrying Capacity

The maximum population density of a given species that a defined area can sustain.

Ecological Footprint

The area needed to provide resources and assimilate waste of a person or population.

Ecosystem Services

Essential ecological processes like water purification, oxygen production, and pollination.

Sustainable

Capable of being continued indefinitely.

Fair Trade

Includes fair wages, good working conditions, and low ecological impact.

Freshwater Percentage

Only 2.5% of the water on Earth is freshwater.

Sanitation Facility Access

4.5 billion people currently lack access.

Infiltration

One type of water flux.

Largest Reservoir of Freshwater

Polar ice caps and glaciers.

Water Usage by Humans

Most is dedicated to agriculture.

Eutrophy and Oligotrophy

Categories of water bodies based on nutrient or oxygen levels.

Coral Reefs Location

Found in warm, shallow tropical and subtropical waters.

Estuary

A semi-enclosed part of the coastal ocean where freshwater joins saltwater.

Risk Formula

Risk = Hazard x Vulnerability.

Physical/Natural Hazards

Includes earthquakes and landslides.

Forest

An ecosystem made up primarily of trees and other woody vegetation.

Canopy

The vertical layer of the forest that is uppermost.

Food Security

Having access to sufficient safe and nutritious food.

Industrial Agriculture Components

Includes pesticides, mechanized irrigation, and synthetic fertilizers.

Difference between Climate and Weather

Weather occurs at a specific place/time.

Greenhouse Effect

Radiation emitted from Earth’s surface and absorbed by gasses in the atmosphere.

Albedo

The reflectivity of a surface.

Cause of Global Warming

An enhanced greenhouse effect by anthropogenic greenhouse gases.

Effects of Climate Change

Includes intense storms, higher temperatures, heat waves, droughts, and rising seas.

Renewable Energy

Energy derived from natural sources replenished at a higher rate than consumed.

Renewable Energy

Provided around 20-25% of overall energy used. 2013

Building infrastructure

Main Issue of Switching to Renewable Energy

Hydropower

Energy from water that drives dams, firewood, windmills.

Disadvantage of Dams

Dams impede or prevent migration of fish.

Reasons to Switch to Renewable Energy

Includes increased CO2 due to fossil fuels, lack of electricity access, finite oil and gas reserves.