Science Section 1

Environmental Science

The study of the impacts that human activities have on the environment and how to manage those impacts.

Interdisciplinary

Involving two or more academic disciplines; in environmental science, it draws on biology, earth science, chemistry, physics, and human population dynamics.

Biodiversity

The variety of life on Earth, including the diversity of species, genes, and ecosystems.

Ecosystem Ecology

The study of how living (biotic) and nonliving (abiotic) components interact within ecosystems.

Natural Resources

Materials and components found in the environment that are useful to humans, such as water, minerals, and forests.

Climate Change

A long-term change in global or regional climate patterns, primarily due to increased levels of atmospheric carbon dioxide produced by the use of fossil fuels.

Sustainable Use

The use of resources in such a way that the supply is maintained for future generations.

Environmental Indicators

Measures that reflect the environmental health of a system, like species diversity or carbon dioxide levels.

Anthropogenic

Resulting from the influence of human beings on nature.

Mean Residence Time (MRT)

The average time a substance remains in a system, used to understand how long pollutants exist in water or air.

Positive Feedback Loop

A process in which an initial change will bring about further change in the same direction, often leading to an exponential growth or decline.

Negative Feedback Loop

A process that counteracts a change in a system, stabilizing it and returning it to a set point.

Carrying Capacity

The maximum number of individuals of a species that an environment can support sustainably without degradation.

Pollution

The introduction of harmful substances or products into the environment.

Resource Consumption

The amount of natural resources used by humans, which varies based on population and lifestyle.

System Dynamics

The study of how systems change over time, including the interactions and feedback loops that occur within them.

Extinction Rate

The rate at which species go extinct; currently accelerated by human activity.

Atmospheric Greenhouse Gases

Gases in the Earth's atmosphere that trap heat, such as carbon dioxide and methane.

Scientific Method

A systematic process for investigating natural phenomena, collecting data, and drawing conclusions.

What are Environmental Indicators?

Quantifiable measures that help assess the health of the environment, including biodiversity, air and water quality, and climate changes.

Why are Environmental Indicators important?

They provide critical data for understanding environmental conditions, informing policy decisions, and guiding sustainability efforts.

Types of Environmental Indicators

Include ecological indicators (like species population), chemical indicators (like pollutant concentrations), and socio-economic indicators (like public health).

What is an example of an ecological indicator?

Species diversity, which reflects the variety and abundance of species in an ecosystem.

What is a chemical indicator of environmental health?

Water quality measurements, such as levels of nitrates or phosphates, indicating pollution levels.

What does the term 'sustainability' relate to in Environmental Indicators?

Indicators help measure progress towards sustainable practices and the ability of ecosystems to endure environmental pressures.

How can climate data serve as an Environmental Indicator?

Data on temperature, precipitation, and extreme weather events can indicate climate trends and potential impacts on ecosystems.

What role do socio-economic indicators play in environmental assessments?

They link community health and economic conditions to environmental quality, showing how social factors affect ecological impacts.

What are Biological Indicators?

Measures that assess the health of ecosystems based on the presence and condition of living organisms.

What is a Water Quality Indicator?

Metrics such as pH, turbidity, and chemical compounds in water that reflect its purity and safety.

What are Climate Indicators?

Data points that help track changes in the climate, such as average temperatures or frequency of extreme weather events.

What are Soil Quality Indicators?

Measurements based on soil composition, fertility, and contaminant levels that inform land health and agricultural potential.

What are Socio-Economic Indicators in the context of environmental health?

Statistics like income levels, employment rates, and access to services that reflect the social and economic conditions affecting environmental quality.

How do Pollution Indicators function?

They quantify the presence of harmful substances in air, water, or soil to assess environmental contamination levels.

What is an example of an environmental health indicator?

Public health statistics that show the incidence of diseases linked to environmental factors, such as respiratory issues from air quality.

Why is Species Richness an important indicator?

It measures the number of different species in an ecosystem, providing insight into biodiversity and ecosystem resilience.

What is the significance of Carbon Footprint as an indicator?

It quantifies the total greenhouse gas emissions caused directly and indirectly by human activities, reflecting sustainability efforts.

World Human Population

The total number of humans currently living on Earth, which is over 8 billion as of 2023.

Population Growth Rate

The rate at which the number of individuals in a population increases, typically expressed as a percentage per year.

Carrying Capacity in Population Studies

The maximum number of individuals that an environment can sustainably support without degradation.

Demographic Transition Model

A model that describes the transition of a country from high birth and death rates to low birth and death rates as it develops.

Overpopulation

A condition where the number of people exceeds the capacity of the environment to support life at a decent standard of living.

Urbanization

The increasing population shift from rural to urban areas, leading to the growth of cities and metropolitan areas.

Age Structure Pyramid

A graphical representation of the age distribution of a population that helps to visualize the demographic makeup.

Fertility Rate

The average number of children born to a woman over her lifetime, used as a measure of population growth.

Migration's Impact on Population

The movement of people from one place to another affects population size and demographic characteristics in both origin and destination areas.

Population Density

The number of individuals living per unit of area, typically expressed as people per square kilometer.

Sustainable Agriculture

Farming practices that meet current food needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.

Organic Farming

Agricultural production that avoids synthetic fertilizers, pesticides, and genetically modified organisms to enhance environmental sustainability.

Green Revolution

A period of agricultural transformation in the mid-20th century that increased food production worldwide through new technologies and practices.

Agroecology

An ecological approach to agriculture that emphasizes biodiversity, sustainable practices, and the interrelationships between organisms and their environment.

Food Security

The state where all people have access to sufficient, safe, and nutritious food to maintain a healthy and active life.

Precision Agriculture

Farming management concept that uses technology and data analysis to optimize field variability in crops for higher efficiency and productivity.

Soil Fertility

The ability of soil to provide essential nutrients to plants, which is vital for productive agriculture.

Crop Rotation

The practice of alternating the species of crops planted in a particular field from season to season to improve soil health and reduce pests.

Permaculture

A design system for creating sustainable and self-sufficient agricultural ecosystems based on natural ecosystems.

Hydroponics

A method of growing plants without soil, using mineral nutrient solutions in water.

Agroforestry

The integration of trees and shrubs into agricultural landscapes to improve biodiversity, productivity, and sustainability.

Food Waste

The discarding of food that is safe for consumption, contributing to environmental issues and food insecurity.

Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs)

Organisms whose genetic material has been altered to exhibit desired traits, such as increased resistance to pests or improved nutritional content.

Monoculture

The agricultural practice of growing a single crop species over a wide area for many consecutive years, which can lead to environmental risks.

Biodynamic Farming

An ecological farming approach that emphasizes biodiversity, soil health, and the use of organic materials, along with cosmic and lunar rhythms.

Urban Agriculture

The practice of cultivating, processing, and distributing food in and around urban areas to enhance food security and community ties.

What factors influence Resource Consumption?

Resource consumption is influenced by population size, lifestyle choices, technology, and economic factors.

Ecological Footprint

A measure of human demand on Earth's ecosystems, reflecting the amount of natural resources consumed and the waste generated.

What is the importance of tracking Resource Consumption?

Tracking resource consumption helps identify sustainability issues, informs policy, and guides resource management strategies.

Examples of renewable resources

Renewable resources include solar energy, wind energy, and timber that can be replenished naturally over time.

Examples of non-renewable resources

Non-renewable resources include fossil fuels like coal, oil, and natural gas, which cannot be replenished in a short timescale.

What is Sustainable Resource Management?

Sustainable resource management involves using resources in a way that meets current needs without compromising future generations' ability to meet theirs.

What is a circular economy approach?

A circular economy approach focuses on minimizing waste and making the most of resources by reusing, recycling, and regenerating materials.

Impacts of Overconsumption

Overconsumption can lead to resource depletion, habitat destruction, and increased environmental pollution.

What is the role of technology in Resource Consumption?

Technology can enhance efficiency in resource use and promote sustainable practices, reducing the overall demand on natural resources.

Global Temperature Rise

An increase in the Earth's average surface temperature due to human activities, primarily the burning of fossil fuels.

Greenhouse Effect

The natural process by which certain gases trap heat in the Earth's atmosphere, keeping the planet warm enough to support life.

Key Greenhouse Gases

Main gases contributing to the greenhouse effect include carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), and nitrous oxide (N2O).

Carbon Dioxide Emissions

CO2 emissions are primarily produced from burning fossil fuels, deforestation, and industrial processes, contributing significantly to climate change.

Methane Emissions

Methane is a potent greenhouse gas emitted during the production and transport of coal, oil, and natural gas, as well as from livestock and other agricultural practices.

Climate Feedback Mechanisms

Processes that can either amplify (positive feedback) or diminish (negative feedback) the effects of climate change.

Positive Climate Feedback

A scenario where increased temperatures lead to further warming, such as melting polar ice reducing the Earth's reflectivity.

Negative Climate Feedback

A scenario where warming leads to processes that reduce greenhouse gas concentrations, counteracting initial warming effects.

Impact of Greenhouse Gases on Weather Patterns

Increased greenhouse gases can lead to more extreme weather events, changing precipitation patterns, and altered storm frequencies.

Long-term Climate Trends

Analysis of average climate data over decades or centuries, showing clear patterns of rising temperatures and changing weather conditions.

What is Air Pollution?

The presence of harmful substances in the air that can affect human health and the environment.

Types of Air Pollutants

Primary pollutants (directly emitted) and secondary pollutants (formed by reactions in the atmosphere), including particulate matter, nitrogen oxides, and sulfur dioxide.

Sources of Air Pollution

Natural sources (volcanoes, wildfires) and anthropogenic sources (vehicles, industrial processes, burning fossil fuels).

Effects of Air Pollution

Can lead to respiratory diseases, cardiovascular problems, and environmental issues such as acid rain and climate change.

What is Water Pollution?

The contamination of water bodies (lakes, rivers, oceans) by harmful substances that disrupt aquatic ecosystems.

Types of Water Pollutants

Include biological (pathogens), chemical (heavy metals, nutrients), and physical (temperature, turbidity) pollutants.

Sources of Water Pollution

Point sources (specific locations like factories) and non-point sources (diffuse sources such as agricultural runoff).

Effects of Water Pollution

Can cause harm to aquatic life, disrupt ecosystems, and pose health risks to humans through contaminated drinking water.

What is Eutrophication?

A process where excessive nutrients, often from agricultural runoff, lead to algal blooms that deplete oxygen in water bodies.

What role do regulations play in managing Air and Water Pollution?

Regulations set limits on pollutant emissions and discharges, aiming to protect public health and the environment.

What are the steps of the scientific method?

The steps typically include observation, hypothesis formulation, experimentation, analysis, and conclusion.

What is a hypothesis in the scientific method?

A testable prediction about the relationship between variables.

Why is experimentation important in the scientific method?

Experiments test the hypotheses to determine their validity through controlled conditions.

What role does data analysis play in the scientific method?

Data analysis involves interpreting the results of experiments to draw conclusions and support or refute the hypothesis.

What is a theory in the context of the scientific method?

A well-substantiated explanation of an aspect of the natural world based on a body of evidence gathered through the scientific method.

How does peer review contribute to the scientific method?

Peer review ensures that research findings are scrutinized and validated by other experts before publication.

What is an observation in the scientific method?

The act of noting and recording something with instruments or the senses, which often leads to questions and hypotheses.

What is a controlled variable?

A variable that is kept constant during an experiment to ensure that the results are due to the independent variable.

What does reproducibility mean in scientific research?

The ability of an experiment or study to be repeated by other researchers and yield the same results.