AICE Environmental Science Vocabulary Terms Summary

I. Sustainability and Water Cycle

• Sustainability:

  • Definition: Meeting present needs without compromising future generations' ability to meet theirs.

• Water Cycle Terms:

  • Condensation: Gas to liquid phase change.

  • Precipitation: Water falling from the atmosphere.

  • Interception: Water prevented from reaching the ground by vegetation.

  • Infiltration: Water entering the soil.

  • Surface Runoff: Water flowing above ground.

  • Throughflow: Lateral water movement through soil.

  • Groundwater Flow: Water flowing underground.

  • Transpiration: Water evaporation from plant leaves.

  • Evaporation: Liquid to gas phase change.

• Ozone Layer:

  • Atmospheric layer protecting Earth from UV radiation.

II. Ecology and Ecosystems

• Ecology Terms:

  • Biome: Group of ecosystems sharing similar climates and organisms.

  • Ecosystem: Interacting organisms and their physical environment.

  • Community: Different populations living together in an area.

  • Population: Group of individuals of the same species in one area.

  • Habitat: Where an organism lives.

  • Niche: An organism's role in its ecosystem.

  • Biotic Factor: Living component of the environment.

  • Abiotic Factor: Non-living component of the environment.

• Competition:

  • Limiting Factor: Restricts organism existence, numbers, reproduction, or distribution.

  • Interspecific Competition: Competition between different species.

  • Intraspecific Competition: Competition among individuals of the same species.

• Species Interactions:

  • Grazing: Herbivory.

  • Predation: One organism killing another for food.

• Photosynthesis and Energy:

  • Chlorophyll: Pigment enabling photosynthesis.

  • Producer: Organism producing its own food.

  • Primary Consumer: Herbivore.

  • Secondary Consumer: Carnivore eating herbivores.

  • Tertiary Consumer: Carnivore eating other carnivores.

  • Decomposer: Breaks down dead organisms.

  • Trophic Levels: Feeding levels in a food chain.

  • Aerobic Respiration: Glucose breakdown releasing energy, CO2, and water.

III. Sampling Techniques

• Sampling Methods:

  • Systematic Sampling: Regular spacing of sampling units.

  • Random Sampling: Equal chance of selection for each member.

• Tools and Techniques:

  • Quadrat (Open and Grid): Tool for sampling species within an area.

  • Point Quadrat: Using pins to assess organism abundance and distribution.

  • Pitfall Trap: Trapping animals living on or in the soil.

  • Sweep Nets: Sampling flying insects and invertebrates.

  • Beating Tray: Sampling invertebrates from vegetation.

  • Kick Sampling: Sampling aquatic invertebrates by disturbing substrate.

  • Light Traps: Sampling nocturnal flying organisms.

  • Capture-Mark-Recapture: Estimating population size.

  • Water Turbidity: Sediment reducing light penetration.

  • Questionnaires: Gathering information through questions.

  • Interviews: Person-to-person information gathering.

  • AFCOR: Abundance scale (abundant, common, frequent, occasional, rare, none).

  • Geospatial Systems: Analyzing and displaying geographical information.

  • Satellite Sensors: Measuring infrared radiation.

  • Radio Tracking: Tracking animal movement using radio transmitters.

  • Computer Modeling: Using computers to represent objects or concepts.

  • Crowd Sourcing: Obtaining information from many people.

  • Big Data: Large, complex datasets.

IV. Human Impacts and Environmental Issues

• Key Concepts:

  • Dependency Ratio: Ratio of dependent to working-age population.

• Ecosystems and Habitats:

  • Desert: Extremely dry area with sparse vegetation.

  • Forest: Area with moderate precipitation and trees.

  • Grassland: Area dominated by grasses.

  • Tundra: Arctic treeless plain.

• Ecological Succession:

  • Primary Succession: Succession starting in an area with no soil.

  • Secondary Succession: Succession following a disturbance.

  • Pioneer Species: First species to colonize an area.

  • Climax Community: Stable, mature community.

  • Relative Timescale: Order of events from oldest to youngest.

• Productivity Terms:

  • Gross Primary Productivity (GPP): Total solar energy captured by producers.

  • Net Primary Productivity (NPP): GPP minus energy used for respiration.

  • Ecosystem Productivity: Biomass production rate.

• Species and Security:

  • Native Species: Species naturally occurring in an ecosystem.

  • Invasive Species: Non-native species negatively impacting an ecosystem.

  • Food Security: Access to sufficient, safe, and nutritious food.

  • Energy Security: Reliable and affordable energy access.

  • Long-Term Energy Security: Sustainable energy supply.

  • Short-Term Energy Security: Prompt response to supply changes.

  • Water Security: Access to clean water for various needs.

• Agricultural Techniques:

  • Hydroponics: Growing plants without soil in nutrient-rich water.

  • Aquaculture: Raising marine and freshwater organisms.

• Environmental Issues:

  • Acid Deposition: Acidic pollutants from the atmosphere.

  • Photochemical Smog: Air pollutants reacting in sunlight.

  • Polar Vortex: Isolated air masses around the poles.

  • Polar Stratospheric Clouds (PSCs): Ice clouds facilitating ozone depletion.

  • Greenhouse Gases: Gases trapping infrared radiation.

  • Geo-engineering: Intentional manipulation of the environment.

  • Solar Radiation Management: Reflecting sunlight to reduce warming.

This summary provides a comprehensive overview of the key concepts and terms presented in the lecture. Remember to review individual terms for a deeper understanding.