Environmental Systems and Societies Exam Preparation

This set of flashcards covers key concepts, definitions, and principles from the Environmental Systems and Societies course, designed to aid in exam preparation.

What is the focus of Environmental Systems and Societies?

Understanding socio-environmental issues and the science behind the environment.

What are the three main concepts in Environmental Systems and Societies?

Perspectives, systems, and sustainability.

What is an ecological footprint?

A model used to estimate the demands that human populations place on the environment.

What are the three pillars of sustainability?

Environmental, social, and economic.

Define environmental sustainability.

The use and management of natural resources that allows for their regeneration.

What is the role of the carbon footprint?

It measures the amount of greenhouse gases produced, often expressed in carbon dioxide equivalents.

What does the ecological ceiling in the doughnut economics model represent?

The planetary boundaries that humanity should not overshoot.

What is environmental justice?

The right of all people to live in a pollution-free environment and have equitable access to resources.

What are K-strategists in ecological terms?

Species that produce fewer offspring, invest a lot of energy in nurturing them, and are typically found in stable environments.

What does a J-curve in population growth indicate?

A rapid increase in population size followed by a sudden collapse.

Explain the difference between fundamental and realized niches.

Fundamental niches are the potential habitats without competition, while realized niches are the actual habitats occupied by species due to competing interactions.

What is the tragedy of the commons?

A situation where individuals exploit a shared resource to the extent that demand overwhelms supply.

Describe the concept of biocapacity.

The capacity of ecosystems to regenerate renewable resources and absorb waste.

What is the significance of keystone species?

Species that have a disproportionately large effect on their environment and help maintain the structure of their ecosystem.

Define market failure in environmental economics.

When the free market cannot allocate resources efficiently, leading to environmental harm.

How does the UN contribute to environmental protection?

By producing international treaties and conventions that aim to safeguard the environment.

What is the polluter-pays principle?

The concept that the party responsible for producing pollution should incur the costs of managing it.

What is the purpose of environmental impact assessments (EIAs)?

To evaluate the potential environmental effects of a proposed project before it is carried out.

In environmental economics, what does eco-economic decoupling refer to?

Separating economic growth from environmental degradation.

How does density-dependent limiting factor affect population size?

As population density increases, these factors such as food availability and disease become more impactful on growth.

What is the main aim of sustainable development?

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