Quizlet Import Table (Topic 1: Environmental Science & Biodiversity)

What is (and isn’t) environmental science as a discipline?

Environmental science is the interdisciplinary study of how humans interact with the environment, combining biology, ecology, chemistry, geology, and social sciences. It is not simply advocacy or environmentalism, which is focused on activism.

Explain the general principles of the practice of science.

Science relies on observation, forming hypotheses, making predictions, testing with evidence, and revising understanding. It emphasizes skepticism, peer review, and reproducibility.

How do you interpret scientific data?

By analyzing whether data supports or refutes a hypothesis or prediction, identifying trends, variation, and statistical significance.

What is the difference between a hypothesis and a prediction?

A hypothesis is a testable explanation for an observation; a prediction is a specific expected outcome if the hypothesis is correct.

Why would observational studies be common in environmental science?

Because many environmental systems cannot be experimentally manipulated at large scales; instead, scientists rely on natural variation and long-term monitoring.

Explain the government’s role in environmental policy and science funding.

Governments fund research, regulate environmental impacts, create laws/policies, and balance public interest with economic concerns.

What is the role of ethics in environmental decision making?

Ethics guide choices where there may be no single “best” option, influencing how humans value nature, resources, and future generations.

How does environmental decision making often boil down to values and ethics?

Decisions reflect whether humans prioritize economic growth, conservation, equity, or cultural perspectives.

Why are environmental calculations often difficult to do accurately?

Ecosystems are complex, involve many variables, and have unpredictable feedback loops.

Describe the various environmental ethical stances.

Utilitarian conservation (use resources wisely), preservation ethic (protect nature for its own sake), frontier ethic (resources seen as unlimited), sustainable ethic (responsible long-term use), and land ethic (humans as part of the community of life).

Who were some influential individuals in environmental ethics?

Aldo Leopold (land ethic), John Muir (preservation), Gifford Pinchot (utilitarian conservation), Rachel Carson (environmental awareness).

What is the concept of the “Tragedy of the Commons”?

When individuals overuse shared resources (like fisheries, grazing lands, or atmosphere) for personal gain, leading to resource depletion for everyone.

What roles do race and socioeconomic status play in environmental decisions?

Environmental justice shows marginalized communities often bear more pollution and fewer benefits, due to historic patterns of inequality.

What is the significance of indigenous people in environmental issues?

Indigenous knowledge systems contribute sustainable practices and perspectives on stewardship, often protecting biodiversity.

Describe the three “waves” of US environmental policy.

1st wave: land distribution/expansion (1800s), 2nd wave: conservation (late 1800s–1900s), 3rd wave: pollution control & environmental protection (mid-1900s to present).

Environmental science

The interdisciplinary study of human interactions with the environment.

Scientific method

The systematic process of observation, hypothesis, experimentation, and conclusion.

Hypothesis

A testable explanation for an observation.

Prediction

A specific expected result if a hypothesis is true.

Scientific theory/law

A theory is a well-supported explanation of natural phenomena; a law describes consistent patterns (e.g., gravity).

Hypothesis testing

The process of designing and conducting experiments to evaluate a hypothesis.

Observational study

Research based on observing natural systems without manipulation.

Control group

The baseline group in an experiment not exposed to the treatment.

Experimental group

The group exposed to the treatment being tested.

Sustainability

Meeting present needs without compromising future generations’ ability to meet theirs.

Anthropocentric/anthropogenic

Human-centered worldview / caused by humans.

Biocentric

Ethical perspective that values all living things.

Tragedy of the commons

Depletion of shared resources due to individual self-interest.

Frontier ethic

The belief that resources are infinite and meant for exploitation.

Sustainable ethic

The belief that resources should be used responsibly for future generations.

Land ethic

Aldo Leopold’s idea that humans are part of a community that includes the land and ecosystems.

Utilitarian conservation

Gifford Pinchot’s idea of using resources wisely for the greatest good.

Preservation ethic

John Muir’s idea that nature should be protected for its own sake.

Environmental justice

The fair distribution of environmental benefits and burdens across society.

Indigenous people

Original inhabitants of a region, often with traditional ecological knowledge.

Scientific and traditional knowledge

Scientific = systematic, testable knowledge; Traditional = cultural, long-term ecological understanding.

Explain how evolution is the source of global biodiversity.

Evolution, through genetic variation and natural selection, produces new traits and species over time, creating Earth’s diversity of life.

What is the definition of biological evolution? Provide an example.

Biological evolution is a change in allele frequencies in a population over generations. Example: Bacteria evolving antibiotic resistance.

What is the significance of genetic diversity to evolution?

Genetic diversity provides raw material for natural selection. Without it, populations cannot adapt to changing environments.

What is the original source of genetic diversity?

Mutations (changes in DNA) create new alleles.

How do selection, migration/gene flow, and genetic drift work?

Natural/sexual/artificial selection increases alleles that improve fitness; migration (gene flow) moves alleles between populations; genetic drift randomly changes allele frequencies, especially in small populations.

Why is it incorrect to say that an individual evolves?

Evolution occurs at the population level across generations, not within individuals.

What are other misconceptions about evolution?

Common misconceptions: evolution has a goal, individuals evolve, or that “survival of the fittest” means strongest (it means best adapted).

Why do small populations often have lower genetic diversity?

Genetic drift and inbreeding reduce variation more strongly in small populations.

What is the primary evolutionary advantage of sexual reproduction?

It increases genetic variation by recombining alleles, giving populations more adaptability.

Compare and contrast micro- and macro-evolution.

Microevolution = small-scale allele changes within populations. Macroevolution = large-scale changes like speciation and extinction. Both rely on evolutionary mechanisms.

What are some ways that species are identified?

Biological species concept (reproductive isolation), morphological (physical traits), phylogenetic (evolutionary history). All look for consistent differences.

How does speciation occur? What is adaptive radiation?

Speciation occurs when populations diverge (allopatric = geographic separation, sympatric = same location). Adaptive radiation is rapid speciation into many niches (e.g., Darwin’s finches).

Describe exponential vs. logistic growth.

Exponential growth = J-shaped curve, growth without limits. Logistic growth = S-shaped curve, limited by carrying capacity (K).

What are r- and K-selected species?

r-selected: many offspring, short life (e.g., insects). K-selected: fewer offspring, high parental care (e.g., elephants). Patterns match survivorship curves.

What are the terms for species interactions?

Mutualism (+/+), competition (-/-), predation/parasitism/herbivory (+/-), commensalism (+/0).

What are trophic levels?

Levels in a food chain: producers → consumers → decomposers. Energy decreases at each step (~10% passed on).

What is top-down vs. bottom-up control?

Top-down: predators regulate populations below them. Bottom-up: resource availability regulates populations above.

What is a biome?

A large ecological region defined by climate and dominant vegetation (e.g., tundra, rainforest, desert).

How do climate patterns determine biome types?

Temperature, rainfall, and seasonality shape which plants and animals can survive.

What adaptations are expected in different climates?

Migration, hibernation, dormancy, or morphological traits suited to environment (e.g., thick fur in cold biomes).

What is biodiversity and how is it measured?

Variety of life at genetic, species, and ecosystem levels. Measured by species richness and evenness.

What has biogeography taught us about biodiversity?

Isolated areas (islands, tropics) often have high endemism. Patterns show how geography shapes evolution.

What is a keystone species?

A species with disproportionate importance in maintaining ecosystem structure (e.g., sea otters).

What is an endemic species?

A species found only in one geographic area.

What is a flagship species?

A charismatic species used for conservation campaigns (e.g., pandas).

What is an umbrella species?

Protecting it also protects many other species (e.g., tigers).

What is an invasive species?

A non-native species that spreads and causes ecological or economic harm.

Are all exotic species invasive?

No — only those that spread aggressively and disrupt ecosystems.

What is the relationship between diversity and ecosystem stability?

Higher biodiversity generally increases stability and resilience.

What does the species-area relationship suggest?

Larger protected areas usually support more species; habitat fragmentation reduces diversity.

What are the current trends of extinction?

Extinction rates are much higher today than background rates, due to human activity.

How do current extinctions compare to historical patterns?

Past extinctions were natural and slower; current rates are faster and driven by humans.

How can economic value be placed on biodiversity?

Ecosystem services, ecotourism, or market values (e.g., pollination). Pros: motivates protection; Cons: reduces nature’s value to money.

Compare and contrast conservation biology and environmental biology.

Conservation biology = focus on protecting species and habitats. Environmental biology = broader, including human impacts, policy, and sustainability.

Identify key legislation on biodiversity.

Examples: Endangered Species Act, CITES, Clean Water Act — they protect species and ecosystems.

What patterns exist in human population growth?

Human growth is exponential but slowing in some areas; growth leads to environmental pressures.

What are some solutions to reducing human impacts?

Education, family planning, sustainable resource use, reducing consumption, renewable energy.

Taxonomy | The science of naming and classifying organisms.

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

Autotroph/producer | An organism that produces its own food (e.g., plants).

Heterotroph/consumer | An organism that consumes others for energy.

Biological evolution | A change in allele frequencies in a population over generations.

Genetic variation | Differences in DNA sequences among individuals.

Heritability | The ability of a trait to be passed from parent to offspring.

Mutation | A change in DNA that introduces new genetic variation.

Sexual reproduction | The combination of genetic material from two parents to produce offspring.

Population | A group of individuals of the same species living in the same area.

Selection (natural, sexual, artificial) | Processes that change allele frequencies by favoring certain traits.

Adaptation | A trait that increases survival or reproduction.

Allele/gene variant | Different versions of the same gene.

Genetic drift | Random change in allele frequencies, especially in small populations.

Migration/gene flow | Movement of alleles between populations.

Fitness | An organism’s ability to survive and reproduce.

Speciation | The formation of new species.

Allopatric speciation | Speciation caused by geographic separation.

Sympatric speciation | Speciation without physical separation.

Demography | The study of population size, age, and growth.

Survivorship curves (I, II, III) | Graphs showing patterns of survival over time.

Exponential growth | Population growth without limits (J-curve).

Logistic growth | Growth limited by carrying capacity (S-curve).

Carrying capacity (K) | Maximum population an environment can support.

Growth rate (r) | Rate of population change over time.

r-selected species | Many offspring, little care, short lifespan.

K-selected species | Few offspring, more care, long lifespan.