Environmental Studies and Sustainability Flashcards

A comprehensive vocabulary flashcard set reviewing key concepts, terminology, state symbols, historical developments, and frameworks from the Environmental Studies lecture notes.

Great Law of the Iroquois

A philosophical principle stating: "In every deliberation, we must consider our impact on the next seven generations."

Agricultural Revolution

A historical transition in human society from hunting and gathering to growing crops, raising animals, and living in settled villages.

Industrial Revolution (1760-1840)

A historical period marked by the transition from rural life with animal-powered agriculture to urban living using factory production, electricity, and fossil fuels.

Fact (Scientific)

A simple and direct observation made about the natural world.

Hypothesis

A testable explanation for a set of observations that can be verified or disproven through observation and experimentation.

Theory (Scientific)

A broad, well-substantiated explanation of natural phenomena that has been extensively tested and confirmed through repeated observation and experimentation.

Law (Scientific)

A statement or description of an observed pattern or rule in nature that consistently holds true under specific conditions.

Environmental Science

The systematic and scientific study of the environment and human roles within it, utilizing an integrated, quantitative, and interdisciplinary approach across physical, chemical, and biological fields.

Environmental Studies

A broad interdisciplinary academic field that studies human interaction with the environment, incorporating natural, built, and social aspects.

Biophysical Environment

An environment composed of the combined biotic (living organisms) and abiotic (non-living physical and chemical) factors that surround and interact with an organism.

Planetary Boundaries

A framework defining nine global environmental thresholds or safe operating limits within which humanity can survive, develop, and thrive.

Inexhaustible Resources

Natural resources, such as sunshine and wind, that cannot be completely exhausted by human consumption.

Non-renewable Resources

Finite resources, such as coal, oil, natural gas, and mined minerals, formed over millions of years that cannot be replenished on a human time scale once consumed.

Renewable Resources

Natural resources, such as freshwater, timber, and soil, that can replenish naturally over time, provided their consumption rate does not exceed their rate of renewal.

Asthenosphere

The mechanically weak and ductile region of Earth's upper mantle located directly below the lithosphere, derived from the Ancient Greek word meaning "without strength."

Cryosphere

The perennially frozen portion of the hydrosphere, including polar ice caps, sea ice, glaciers, snow, and permafrost.

Atmosphere Composition

The chemical mixture of gases surrounding Earth, composed roughly of $78\%$ Nitrogen, $21\%$ Oxygen, $0.97\%$ Argon, $0.04\%$ Carbon dioxide, and trace amounts of other gases and water vapor.

Biosphere

The global ecological system integrating all living beings and their relationships across the lithosphere, hydrosphere, and atmosphere.

Krummholz Zone

The subalpine zone located above the treeline where harsh climatic conditions force trees to grow as low, prostrate, or stunted individuals less than $2\,m$ in height.

Riparian Zone

The distinct interface and habitat area located along the banks and edges of rivers, streams, and water bodies.

Bog (Mire)

A type of wetland characterized by acidic conditions with a $\text{pH} < 7$.

Fen

A type of wetland characterized by alkaline conditions with a $\text{pH} > 7$.

Swamp

A wetland ecosystem whose dominant vegetation consists of trees and woody plants.

Marsh

A wetland ecosystem dominated by non-woody herbaceous vegetation rather than trees.

Loktak Lake

Located in Moirang, Manipur, India, it is the largest freshwater lake in Asia and the only natural habitat of the dancing deer SANGAI.

Tragedy of the Commons

An economic concept popularized by Garrett Hardin in 1968 describing how individuals acting independently in self-interest overexploit and deplete shared, unregulated public resources.

Silent Spring

A landmark 1962 environmental book written by Rachel Carson that documented the destructive impacts of synthetic pesticides like DDT on wildlife and ecosystems.

Environmental Persistence

The property of a chemical compound or pollutant (such as DDT) that resists natural degradation and persists indefinitely in the environment.

Anthropocentrism

A human-centered worldview that considers human well-being and economic interests as the primary consideration when evaluating natural resources.

Ecocentrism

A nature-centered worldview that assigns intrinsic value to all living organisms and ecological systems, prioritizing ecosystem preservation over human resource exploitation.

Barasingha (Rucervus duvaucelii)

The state animal of Uttar Pradesh (Swamp Deer), distinguished by antlers carrying more than three tines, mature stags typically having 10 to 14 (and up to 20) tines.

Sarus Crane (Grus Antigone)

The state bird of Uttar Pradesh, recognized as the world's tallest flying bird standing up to $1.8\,m$ tall and weighing up to $8\,kg$, identified by its grey body and bare red head and neck.

Palash (Butea monosperma)

The state flower of Uttar Pradesh, commonly known as "Flame of the Forest," celebrated for its bright orange-red spring blooms.

Ashok Tree (Saraca asoca)

The state tree of Uttar Pradesh, a culturally significant evergreen tree belonging to a subfamily of the legume family.

Sustainable Development

Development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs, as defined in the 1987 Brundtland Report.

Environment (Protection) Act, 1986

An umbrella legislative act in India that grants the Central Government broad authority to implement environmental protection measures, establish standards, and coordinate regulatory agencies.