APES Unit 1-2 key terms

ecology

the study of interactions among organisms and their environment.

organism

any living thing, including animals, plants, fungi, and microorganisms, that interacts with its environment.

species

a group of organisms that can interbreed and produce fertile offspring.

ecosystem

a community of living organisms and their physical environment interacting as a system.

sustainability scientific principles

1. Solar energy

2. Biodiversity

3. Chemical Cycling

Natural Capital

the world's stocks of natural assets including geology, soil, air, water, and all living things.

natural resources

the resources that exist in the environment and are utilized by humans to meet their needs, including renewable and nonrenewable resources.

inexhaustible resources

resources that are virtually unlimited and cannot be depleted, such as solar energy and wind.

renewable resources

resources that can be replenished naturally over time, such as forests, fish, and clean water.

nonrenewable resources

resources that are finite and cannot be replaced once they are consumed, such as fossil fuels and minerals.

ecosystem services

benefits provided by ecosystems to humans, including clean air, water purification, and pollination.

full-cost pricing

include environmental and health costs in market prices

win-win solutions

use cooperation and compromise to help people and the environment

responsibility to future generations

The principle that current actions should not compromise the ability of future generations to meet their own needs, emphasizing sustainability and ethical considerations in resource use.

natural capital

the world s stocks of natural assets including geology, soil, air, water, and all living things.

more-developed countries

industrialized, high average income, about 17% of the world’s population in the book’s data, generally uses more resources per person

less-developed countries

about 83% of the global population, includes moderately developed and least-developed countries, generally uses lower resource per person, but their populations grow faster. These countries often face challenges such as poverty and limited access to education and healthcare, impacting their sustainable development.

environmental degradation

the deterioration of the environment through depletion of resources, destruction of ecosystems, and loss of biodiversity.

pollution

the introduction of harmful substances or products into the environment, leading to adverse effects on ecosystems and human health. Through chemicals, noise, heat, or other agents at levels harmful to organisms or their activities.