APES Chapter 1 Study Guide

Science

Knowledge of the natural world obtained through observation, research, and experimentation.

Life Science

One of the branches of science— the study of things that are (or were) alive.

Ecology

Study of the interactions of living things and their surroundings.

Environmental Science

Study of how humans impact the environment (human role in ecology).

Steps of the Scientific Method

Observation/Question, Research, Hypothesis, Experiment, Data, Conclusion

Hypothesis

Tentative explanation based on research; can be tested.

Theory

A well substantiated explanation.

Law

A principle with no known exceptions; how something in the natural world behaves.

Paradigm

An accepted reality; commonly accepted view.

Fact

An observation that has been repeatedly confirmed; statement of truth.

Control Group

The group that is not treated.

Experimental Group

The group that receives treatment.

Dependent Variable

The factor expected to change as a result of the factor that is manipulated.

Independent Variable

The factor that is manipulated.

Supposed problems with environmental scientists

They are biased, semi-scientific (using projections and half-truths), pessimistic, and alarmist.

Importance of the sun in all existence, lifestyles, economies, and communities.

Provides solar energy, source of the food chain, drives the water cycle, climate control, influences agriculture

Environmentally Sustainable Society

One that meets the resource needs of its people without depleting or degrading them, thus ensuring that future generations can do the same.

Three Major Environmental Problems

Resource depletion, pollution, loss of diversity

Linear Growth

Quantity increases by a fixed amount. Has a straight line graph. Food supply grows this way.

Exponential Growth

Quantity increases by a fixed percentage. Has a J-shaped graph. Population grows this way.

Doubling Time Formula

The amount of time it takes a population growing exponentially to double in size. 70/rate of growth

Per Capita GDP

GDP divided by population. Best measure of quality of life (wealth, status, living standards, etc.)

Developed Countries

20% of population, uses 88% of resources, industrialized, makes 75% of waste, rich, educated, slower population growth. Includes US, Canada, Japan, Australia, New Zealand, and Europe.

Developing Countries

80% of population, uses 12% of resources, agricultural, makes 25% of waste, poor, illiterate, rapid population growth.

Renewable Resources

Can be replaced if not used too fast. Examples: clean water, clean air, fertile soil, biodiversity.

Perpetual Resources

Inexhaustible on a human time scale. Examples: solar energy, flowing water, wind.

Nonrenewable Resources

Exist in fixed amounts; will run out. Examples: Fossil fuels (coal, oil, natural gas), metallic ore.

Sustainable Yield

The max rate a renewable resource can be used indefinitely without depleting it.

Economic Depletion

When the costs of obtaining a resource is greater than its economic value. This typically happens when it is 80% gone.

Tragedy of the Commons

When individuals with access to a public (common) resource act in their own interest and ultimately deplete the resource.

Point Sources

A single identifiable point (location) of pollution discharge. Examples: factory, pipes

Nonpoint Sources

A broad area of pollution discharge. Examples: parking lots, agricultural fields

Pollution Prevention

Preventing pollutants from entering the environment.

Pollution Cleanup

Removing pollutants after they have entered the environment.

Habitat destruction

#1 reason for decline in species population.

Disease Miller says we have

Affluenza— we care too much about buying new things and creating waste.

Physical Sciences

One of the branches of science- the study of matter and energy.

Causes of Environmental Problems

Overpopulation, poverty, loss of biodiversity

How linear and exponential growth relate to the Malthusian theory

Since food supply grows linearly and population grows exponentially, the population will eventually greatly outnumber the food supply.

Recycle

Reprocessing a material to regain it for human use. Examples: Aluminum, plastic, paper

Reduce

Reducing the amount of something you use. Examples: Reducing gasoline by carpooling, reducing energy by turning up thermostat when you leave the house during summer. Usually the most effective measure to extend sustainable yield.

Reuse

To use something again as is. Examples: Reusable water bottles, egg carton to start plants, reusable totes

Substitute

To use a different material to manufacture something. Examples: Using plastic instead of metal

Threatened

Species in danger of becoming endangered.

Endangered

Species in danger of becoming extinct.

Extinct

Species no longer in existence.