Environmental Management Quizlet Flashcards

Sustainability

Meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.

Renewable Resource

A resource that can naturally replenish within a human timescale.

Nonrenewable Resource

A resource that cannot be replenished within a human lifetime once it is depleted.

Biodiversity

The variety of species in an ecosystem, crucial for resilience and ecological stability.

Deforestation

The removal of large areas of forest for human activities such as farming or development.

Soil Erosion

The removal of the top layer of soil by wind, water, or human activities.

Desertification

The process by which fertile land becomes desert, typically due to deforestation or poor agricultural practices.

Pollution

The introduction of harmful substances into the environment.

Ecological Footprint

A measure of human demand on Earth's ecosystems.

Carbon Footprint

The total amount of carbon dioxide emissions directly and indirectly caused by an individual, organization, or activity.

Conservation

The protection and management of biodiversity to prevent exploitation, destruction, or neglect.

Afforestation

The process of planting trees where there were no previous forests.

Hydroelectric Power

Electricity generated by harnessing the energy of moving water.

Biome

A large natural area defined by its climate, soil type, and predominant vegetation.

Ecosystem

A biological community of interacting organisms and their physical environment.

Population (Ecology)

A group of individuals of the same species living in a particular area.

Community

Different populations of species living together in one area.

Habitat

The natural home or environment of an organism.

Niche

An organism's role and position within its environment, including how it obtains resources.

Photosynthesis (Word Equation)

Carbon dioxide + water → glucose + oxygen

Photosynthesis (Chemical Equation)

6CO2 + 6H2O → C6H12O6 + 6O2

Aerobic Respiration (Word Equation)

Glucose + oxygen → carbon dioxide + water

Aerobic Respiration (Chemical Equation)

C6H12O6 + 6O2 → 6CO2 + 6H2O

Water Cycle Processes

Condensation, precipitation, interception, infiltration, surface runoff, throughflow, groundwater flow, transpiration, evaporation.

Greenhouse Effect

The natural process where greenhouse gases trap some of the Sun's energy, warming the Earth.

Acid Deposition

Deposition of acidic components in rain, snow, or dry particles with pH less than 5.6.

Photochemical Smog

A mixture of air pollutants and particulates, including ground-level ozone, formed when sunlight reacts with nitrogen oxides and VOCs.

Ozone Layer

Located in the stratosphere, absorbs and filters out the sun's harmful ultraviolet radiation.

Ozone Hole

An area where the ozone concentration is significantly lower than surrounding regions (below 100 Dobson Units).

Greenhouse Gases

Gases that trap heat in the atmosphere, including carbon dioxide, methane, and water vapor.