Environmental Science Exam 1

Environment

biological and physical surroundings in which an organism exists

Environmental Science

interdisciplinary research field that draws on natural and social sciences and the humanities in order to understand the natural world and relationship to it.

empirical science

scientific approach that investigates the natural world through systematic observation and experimentation

applied science

research findings used to solve practical problems (scientific knowledge)

environmental literacy

understanding of how the ecosystems function and of the impact of our choices on the environment

Trade-offs

imperfect/ problematic response we must choose between when addressing complex problems

triple bottom line

combination of environmental, social, and economic impacts of our choice

sustainable development

development meets present needs w/o compromising the ability to continue. Capable of being identified automatically

sustainable

meet the needs of the present without compromising the ability of the future to thrive and be replenished.

anthropogenic

caused by or related to human action

Anthropocene

proposed new geologic epic that is marked by modern human impact

renewable energy

infinitely available or easily replenished source

social traps

definition and what are the 2 we talked about?

decisions made that seem good but turn out to hurt society in the long run

tragedy of the commons and time delay

tragedy of the commons

resources aren’t owned; resources decline as they are used for the benefit of one person

time delay

produces a benefit today but causes problems later on

What were the 5 main factors that caused the demise of the Greenland Vikings

• lack of societal change (poor land management and rigid conservatism)

• Environmental change (overgrazing and overconsumption)

• hostile natives

• loss of trade

• climate change (got colder)

anthropogenic view

human centered view that assigns value only to humans

ecocentric view

system centered view, values ecosystem not individuals

biocentric view

all life has insintric value, regardless of usefulness

What 4 animals did the Vikings bring to Greenland?

pigs, cows, sheep, goats

What did the Vikings use to build their houses with? What was wood used for?

They used sod to insulate their houses. Wood was used for tools, boats, fires, and rooves

What did the Greenland Vikings initially trade?

Walrus ivory and skins

Why did the Europeans stop trading?

global politics (Africa), colder, harder to hunt

What are some ways scientists know what happened to the Greenland Vikings?

climate change: mass of oxygen atom O¹⁶, O¹⁷, O¹⁸; more O¹⁸ in H₂O as climate warms

soil erosion: ran from land into lake; lake soil and land soil look different

deforestation: pollen in sediments

lost ability to raise cattle: pigs disappeared first; bones in Viking garbage dumps

What is a Viking garbage dump called?

a midden

Who wrote Collapse?

Jarred Diamond

What was Collapse about? What are the three case studies we learned about?

Easter Island, Mayans and Greenland Vikings

Demise of Easter Island

deforestation, erosion, fighting, and overhunting

Demise of the Maya

agriculture, deforestation, soil erosion, decreased fertile land, drought, hostile neighbors on either side, politics

Adaptations of the Icelandic Vikings

• learned to fish

• moved to lowlands

• no conflict, closer to Norway

• DIDNT RESIST CHANGE

Hibernacula

caves where bats hibernate

empirical evidence

info gathered using the 5 senses

observational study

research gathers data in real world without manipulating variables

correlation

2 things occurring together without having a cause and effect relationship

cause and effect relationship

association between two variables where one is a result of the other

policy

formalized plan addressing a desired outcome

What were the three hypotheses from the WNS reading?

• WNS caused a secondary disease

• fungus mutated to become deadly

• fungus is new to the region

Steps of the Scientific Method

Ask a Question → Observation → Consult literature → Form a Hypothesis → design an experiment → analyze date → Draw a conclusion

torpor

state of inactivity during hibernation; reduces metabolic activity to conserve energy