VCE Environmental Science Unit 3 Summary Notes/Cue Cards

Biodiversity

Refers to all living things that make up life on Earth, including ecosystems, species, and genes.

Ecosystems

Consist of biotic and abiotic components and the interactions between them.

Species

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

Genes

Units of genetic material that are made up of DNA.

Genetic Diversity

The measure of genetic differences that exist between species and individuals of the same species.

Species Diversity

The number of different species on Earth, the number of individuals within each species, and the variety of species within a habitat or region.

Ecosystem Diversity

The variety of habitats, natural communities, and ecological processes in the biosphere.

Inbreeding

Breeding between closely related individuals, which can result in reduced fitness of the population.

Mutation & Natural Selection

Natural selection acts to reduce the frequency of harmful alleles in a population, while new alleles from mutations give individuals the best chance of survival and reproduction.

Genetic Drift

Random events can cause changes in allele frequency in a population, leading to the elimination or spread of alleles by chance.

Extinction

If changes in the environment happen too quickly, populations may not be able to adapt, leading to the death of species.

Genetic Swamping

Human activities can bring geographically isolated populations into contact, leading to the loss of genetic diversity in smaller populations.

Demographic Variation

Chance factors can affect birth rate, death rate, and sex ratio, contributing to genetic variation over time.

Loss of Keystone Species

Biodiversity loss can result in the removal of species critical for the survival of other organisms.

Provisioning Services

Products obtained from ecosystems and used directly by humans, such as water, food, and pharmaceuticals.

Regulating Services

Benefits obtained from the regulation of ecosystem processes, such as climate control and water purification.

Supporting Services

Services that allow other ecosystem services to be present, such as nutrient cycling and photosynthesis.

Cultural Services

Non-material benefits obtained from ecosystems, such as research, education, and recreation.

Fossils

The remains of past life preserved in rock, soil, or amber, providing information about past biodiversity.

Relative Dating

Determining the age of fossils based on the order of rock layers.

Absolute (Numerical or Radioactive) Dating

Determining the age of fossils based on the decay of radioactive isotopes.

Endemic

Native and restricted to a certain place.

Biodiversity Hotspots

Biogeographic regions with high species diversity that have lost a significant amount of natural vegetation.

Environmental Variation

Changes to the environment over short, medium, and long time scales that affect species and ecosystems.

Evolution

The gradual change of inherited characteristics of a population over time, resulting in the development of new species.

Sampling

Obtaining quantitative information about plant or animal communities using quadrats.

Random Sampling

Studying a community without bias by randomly locating plots.

Systematic Sampling

Observing changes in an environment by placing quadrats in a line at equal intervals.

Sampling Edge Effects

Minimizing the effects of plant specimens crossing the edge of a quadrat by using a circle.

Techniques for Sampling Mammals

Indirect signs, spotlighting, direct observation, live trapping, and capture-mark-recapture.

Measurement of Species Diversity

Species richness, species diversity, and Simpson's Index of Diversity.

Degree of Endemism

Examining the degree of endemism of the species present in a region.

Vegetation Structure

Assessing the physical structure of plant communities in terms of height and foliage cover.

Risk Assessment

Using data to estimate the probability of harmful events occurring, important for environmental management and conservation of biodiversity.

Estimating the Risk of Extinction

Approaches using habitat area and collections of organisms to predict the probability of species becoming extinct.

Population Viability Analysis

Assessing the likelihood of a population surviving in the future based on various factors.

Population modeling

Creating a computer model of a population to study its age structure, birth and death rates, migration, behavioral ecology, and competition.

Minimum viable population

The smallest population size that has a reasonable probability of surviving in the future, used to set priorities and estimate the minimum size of a conservation reserve.

Data analysis

Probability analysis of population extinction to determine the overall likelihood of a species going extinct within a given time frame.

Conservation status categories

Categories used to assess the degree of threat to a species and set priorities for conservation efforts, including extinct, extinct in the wild, critically endangered, endangered, vulnerable, near threatened, least concern, data deficient, and not evaluated.

Conservation of genetic diversity

Preserving the genetic diversity within a species or population to enhance their ability to respond to environmental changes.

Conservation of population diversity

Preserving the genetic composition of populations as they adapt to different environments, ensuring a greater range of genetic diversity.

Conservation of species diversity

Preserving the diversity of species, taking into account the ability of geographically isolated groups to interbreed.

Conservation of ecosystem diversity

Preserving the variety of ecosystems in a given area to maintain the resilience of the environment.

Pressures affecting biodiversity

External factors that directly or indirectly impact the survival of organisms, including habitat modification, habitat loss and fragmentation, over-exploitation, inbreeding, loss of pollinators and dispersal agents, bioaccumulation and biomagnification of pollutants, climate change, disease, and introduced species.

Conservation reserves

Protected areas managed for nature conservation, including national parks and other types of reserves.

Fragmentation and metapopulation

Fragmentation occurs when small patches of remnant vegetation remain among cleared areas, and a metapopulation is composed of local populations in each of these patches that interact through movement of individuals.

Wildlife corridors

Networks of linking remnant vegetation that improve the conservation potential of fragmented habitats by allowing animals to move between patches.

Advantages of corridors

Facilitating animal movement, gene exchange between sub-populations, providing habitats, and potential avenues for reconciliation.

Disadvantages of corridors

Aiding the spread of diseases, pests, and weeds, suppressing genetic variation, helping the spread of fire, and being costly to establish and maintain.

Translocation and reintroduction

Translocation involves returning plants or animals to an area from which they have been eliminated or where their numbers are low, while reintroduction involves translocating them to an area that used to be part of their range.

Gene banking

Collecting and storing genetic samples in a gene bank or seed bank to preserve genetic diversity and provide a record of threatened species.

Restoring degraded ecosystems

Repairing degraded ecosystems through habitat restoration, erosion control, and reintroduction of previously endemic species.

Biodiversity conservation

Managing human use of the biosphere to yield sustainable benefits to present and future generations.

International agreements and programs

Utilizing relevant legal treaties, agreements, and regulatory frameworks to protect threatened species and conserve biodiversity, such as the Convention on Biological Diversity.

Convention on Biological Diversity

An international treaty that aims to conserve biological diversity, promote sustainable use of its components, and ensure fair and equitable sharing of benefits from genetic resources.

World Heritage Convention

An international treaty that identifies and protects cultural and natural heritage sites of outstanding universal value.

Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES)

An international agreement that regulates the international trade of endangered species to prevent their exploitation and ensure their survival.

ICUN Red List of Threatened Species

A comprehensive information source that assesses the extinction risk of animals, fungi, and plants to prioritize conservation actions.

Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBCA)

Australian legislation that integrates environmental assessment, appeals process, and biodiversity conservation.

Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act 1988 (FFG)

Victorian legislation that aims to protect native species and their habitats.

Victoria's Biodiversity Strategy

A strategy that aims to achieve the objectives of EPBCA and FFGA in Victoria.

Local Government Conservation Covenants

Measures implemented by local governments to consider environmental impacts and protect biodiversity in planning decisions.

Anthropocentrism

A value system that places humans as the central or most important element of existence.

Biocentrism

A value system that recognizes the right of all living things to exist and considers biology as the central science of the universe.

Ecocentrism

A value system that prioritizes the intrinsic value of species and their natural environments over individual organisms.

Technocentrism

A value system that centers on technology's ability to control and protect the environment.

Social Justice

The integration of conservation programs with the development of local communities to ensure their participation and benefit from conservation efforts.

Ecological Sustainable Development (ESD)

Development that meets present needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs, considering environmental, social, and economic impacts.

Sustainability

The ability of something to be maintained or sustain itself in the long term.

Zone of Sustainability

A concept that considers environmental, social, and economic considerations in achieving sustainability.

Ecological Integrity Assessments

Assessments that examine the well-being of ecosystems and provide information on their degradation, maintenance, or restoration.

Efficient Resource Use

The use of fewer physical resources to produce the same product or service while minimizing environmental impact.

Intragenerational Equity

The equal distribution of and access to resources between people within the same generation.

Intergenerational Equity

The preservation of natural resources and the environment for the benefit of future generations.

The Precautionary Principle

A guideline that requires taking measures to prevent environmental damage when the risk of harm is high but scientific evidence is uncertain.

User Pays Principle

The principle that the user of a product or service should directly pay for its use, reflecting its full environmental cost.

Conservation of Biodiversity & Ecological Integrity

The maintenance of species abundance, genetic diversity, and ecosystem function in the face of changing environmental conditions.

Population

The challenge of increasing demands on the environment due to the growing human population.

Food

The challenge of balancing the supply of food with the pressure it puts on natural ecosystems and biodiversity.

Water

The challenge of ensuring access to clean and fresh water for humans and the environment.

Energy

The challenge of meeting the increasing demand for energy while minimizing the use of non-renewable sources.

Circular Economy

An approach that aims to reduce environmental impacts by minimizing resource use, waste, and pollution through effective designs and practices.

Integrated Sustainability Assessment

A method to assess the long-term sustainability impacts of government policies by considering economic, environmental, and social impacts.

Hazard

A thing or situation that can cause harm or adverse impacts on people, the environment, or property.

Risk

The probability that a hazard will cause harm or adverse impacts.

Risk Assessment

The process of evaluating the potential adverse effects of a new product or project.

Risk Management

Developing strategies and actions to minimize or prevent harmful events based on the level of risk the community is willing to accept.

Environmental Management System (EMS)

A system that helps organizations manage their environmental impacts and improve their environmental performance.

Environmental Management Systems (EMS)

The set of processes and practices that enable an organization to reduce its environmental impacts and increase operating efficiency. It involves continual monitoring, review, and assessment.

ISO 14001

A standard developed by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) for environmental management systems. It outlines key elements such as having a defined environmental policy, commitment to continual improvement, and monitoring compliance.

Industry Efficiency

Operational efficiencies achieved through reducing raw material input, energy usage, and waste, leading to cost reduction and increased employee productivity. Provides a competitive edge in markets concerned about environmental credentials.

Stakeholder Engagement

Involving relevant individuals, groups, or organizations who have an interest in or could be affected by an organization's actions or policies. Consultation with stakeholders is essential for effective environmental projects.

Community Confidence

Building greater community confidence in the protection of the environment. ISO 14001 requires companies to respond to relevant interested parties, including community consultation.

Advantages for Regulators

Companies taking greater responsibility for their own environmental performance lighten the workload for environmental regulators. This leads to more cooperative relationships and better targeting of regulatory resources.

Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA)

Undertaken for large developmental projects to determine the environmental effects before planning approval. It considers environmental impacts, their extent, and potential safeguards.

Environmental Impact Statement (EIS)

In Victoria, known as an Environmental Effects Statement (EES), it involves public comment, assessment by the Minister for Planning, review by an independent authority, and recommendations for the final decision. It aims to minimize environmental impacts.

Responsible Decision Making

Diverse stakeholder values, knowledge, and priorities, regulatory frameworks, scientific data interpretation, and new technologies influence decision making for environmental management strategies.