AICE Environmental Management Unit 2 Vocab

Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA)

The evaluation of the environmental consequeces of a plan, policy, program, or project before a decision is made to move forward with it

Titanium Dioxide

A metal commonly found in plants and animals and the ninth most common element in Earth's crust. It is a white powder that can be made into a bright white pigment. It is used in products such as paint, paper, plastic, ink, soap, food coloring and sunscreen

Scientific Method

A procedure that involves systematic observation, measurement, and experiment to test hypotheses

Hypothesis

A precise, testable statement that a researcher makes, predicting the outcome of a study that is designed to answer a specific question

Data

A set of information, in the form of facts, numbers, measurements, or statistics, that can be used for analysis

Observation

To watch, view or note for scientific investigation

Qualitative Data

Data that is non-numerical, or descriptive. These data are collected through observations, interviews, and focus groups

Quantitative Data

Data that is numerical, giving the quantity, range or amount of a variable. For example, monthly rainfall

Prediction

A statement of expected results of an eperiment if the hypothesis is true

Bias

When a scientist knowingly or unkowingly incorporates systematic errors into sampling or testing by selecting or encouraging one outcome over another

Statistics

The practice of collecting, analysing and interpreting numerical data in large quantities. This includes ways of reviewing and drawing conclusions from the data. Statistics are a way to see patterns in numerical data ti determine whether data shows a difference between two treatments

Variable

A factor that can change in quality. Quantity or size regarding the category of data that is being measured (e.g. rainfall)

Independent Variable

A variable that stands alone and is not changed by other variables. It is the variable being changed in the experiment to test the hypothesis

Dependent Variable

A variable that depends on other factors. It is the variable being measured in the experiment

Control Group

The group of test subjects left untreated or unexposed to the independent variable. The results from this group are then compared to the results of the test subjects

Sample

A set of data (number of plants, number of species, plant distribution) taken from a larger population for measurement

Control variable

Any variable that is held constant in an experiment

Limitations

Shortcomings in a study that can influence the information collected. These include research design, methodology, materialsm and time constraints

Reliable Data

Data that is reasonably complete and accurate, works towards answering the hypothesis in a clear and transparent manner and has not been innapropiately altered

Scientific Theory

An explanation of an aspect of the natural world that has been tested repeatedly to verify it through the use of the scientific method

Model

A scientific model is the production of a physical, conceptual or mathematical representation of a real occurrence that is difficult to observe

Containment Boom

Tubing that is normally filled with air to allow it to float on the surface of the water and top the movement of an oil spill. The boom acts as a barrier to prevent the spread of an oil spill on the surface of the water

Unbiased

Not affected or influenced by a person's beliefs or opinions

Climate Changes

Detectable change in the global temperatures. It is also referred to as global warming

False Reporting

The reporting of information that is false, fabricated, or biased

Confirmation Bias

When data that does not fit eith the hypotheris is ignored. Data is then intterpreted to support the hypothesis, even when some of it may not

Volcanism

Any process associated with surface discharge of molten rock, hot water, or steam from inside the Earth

Oceanic Circulation

The large-scale movement of waters in the ocean basins through ocean currents and the oceanic conveyor belt system

Solar Variation

Fluctuation in the amount of radiation output from the sum

Sea Ice

Ice that floats on the surace of the oceans and seas

Surface Mass Balance

The balance between the build-up of and loss of glacial bomber

Climate Model

A computer simulation of Earth's climate system using mathematical equations. It seeks to simulate the outcomes of chanes to factors that influence Earth's climate

Primary Data

Information that is ollected by the researcher (e.g. rainfall which is collected daily adn recorded)

Secondary Data

Data that is collected by somebody else in a separate investigatiom (e.g. climate data from the local airport)

Random Sampling

Samples based on drawing names/numbers out of a hat or using a computer progrm to give a random list

Systematic Sampling

Choosing a sample based on regular intervals rather than random selection

Quadrat

Typically one square metre samples, selected for assesing the local distribution of plants or animals

Sedentary

Organisms that do not move, such as plants or rocky shore species like barnacle

Frequency

How often a specific species (e.g. plant) occurs in a sample

Turbidity

The cloudiness or haziness of water; the lower the visibility the higher the turbidity

Population Density

The number of individuals of a species living in a specific unit of area (e.g. square metre or mile)

Population Size

The number of individuals in a population

Questionnaire

A form with a series of questions for respondents to complete which is designed to seek data for an investigation

Closed Question

Yes or no answers, or answers where the respondent can select an answer from tickable boxes

Open Question

Questions that allow respondent to give a free-form answer with opinions and detailed information

Pilot Survey

A survey carried out prior to a full-scale study. Designed to identify areas of concern or areas for improvement before the full study is carried out

Interview

Whenn people meet face to face, or via the phone, with one person asking questions and another answering them

Percentage Cover

A measure of how much space an organism is taking up as a proportion of a specified area

Abudance

Calculating abudance means counting the numbers of a specific organism present. Abudance can be low, with few individuals present. Where abudance is high many of the identified organisms are present

Geospatial/Geographic Information Systems (GIS)

Electronic mapping systems designed to capture, store, analyse and manage geographic information

Big Data

Extremely large sets of numerical information collected using technology and analysed using computers

Volume

An amount or quantity of something

Petabyte

A unit of information equal to one thousand million million (10^15)

Exabyte

A unit of information equal to one quintillion (10^18)

Terabyte

A unit of information equal to one million million (10^12)

Value

To have use, or a worth

Variety

Diverse data

Data Stream

The process of transmitting a continuous flow of data, typically via data processing software

Velocity

Speed with magnitude and direction

Veracity

The ability to verify or confirm data

Conservation

The protection and scientific management of natural areas to protect biodiversity in a sustainable manner

Greenwashing

The process of presenting misleading information (often to consumers) about how a product is more environmentally friendly than it actually is