MIDTERM SCIENCE

Chap 1: Intro to Environmental Science

1. Ecosystem (biotic and abiotic) – A community of living (biotic) and non-living (abiotic) things interacting in an environment.

2. Natural Resources: Renewable/Nonrenewable – Renewable resources replenish naturally (sunlight, wind), while nonrenewable resources (fossil fuels) take millions of years to form.

3. Ecological Footprint – A measure of how much land/resources a person or population uses.

4. Scientific Method/Hypothesis – The process of observing, questioning, hypothesizing, experimenting, and concluding in science.

5. Peer Review – Scientists review and evaluate each other’s work before publication.

6. Environmental Ethics

• Anthropocentrism – Humans first.

• Biocentrism – All living things matter.

• Ecocentrism – The entire ecosystem is important.

7. Preservation vs. Conservation Ethic

• Preservation – Keep nature untouched.

• Conservation – Use resources wisely and sustainably.

8. John Muir, Gifford Pinchot, Aldo Leopold – Important figures in environmental conservation.

9. Sustainability/Sustainable Development – Using resources without depleting them for future generations.

Chap 2: Matter, Energy, Ecosystems

10. Nitrogen & Phosphorus Sources, Hypoxia – Fertilizers add excess nutrients to water, causing oxygen depletion (hypoxia).

11. Eutrophication – Excess nutrients cause algae growth, which depletes oxygen and harms aquatic life.

12. Earth’s Environmental Systems

• Lithosphere – Land

• Atmosphere – Air

• Hydrosphere – Water

• Biosphere – Life

13. Trophic Levels & Producers/Consumers –

• Autotrophs (Producers) – Make their own food (photosynthesis).

• Heterotrophs (Consumers) – Eat other organisms for energy.

14. Biogeochemical Cycles – The Carbon, Hydrologic, and Nitrogen cycles move essential elements through ecosystems.

Chap 3/4: Evolution, Biodiversity, Ecology

15. Species, Evolution (Darwin & Wallace), Natural Selection, Adaptation – Species evolve over time; natural selection leads to adaptation.

16. Artificial Selection – Humans breed organisms for traits (ex: dog breeds).

17. Biodiversity – Variety of life in an ecosystem.

18. Carrying Capacity – The maximum population an environment can support.

19. Mass Extinctions & Fossil Records – Periods of widespread species loss, recorded in fossils.

20. Endemic Species – Species found only in one specific area.

21. Native vs. Invasive Species –

• Native – Belong naturally to an area.

• Invasive – Introduced and harm ecosystems.

22. Speciation – Formation of new species.

23. Ecological Niche – A species’ role in an ecosystem.

24. Natural vs. Artificial Ecosystems – Natural = untouched; Artificial = man-made.

25. Ecotourism – Tourism focused on nature conservation.

Chap 6: Human Population

26. China’s One-Child Policy – Law to control population growth.

27. Current Human Population & Doubling Time – Over 8 billion; growing fast.

28. IPAT Model – Environmental Impact = Population × Affluence × Technology.

29. Age Structure Diagrams – Show population distribution by age.

30. Resource Demand = Biggest Problem – More people = more resource use.

31. Diminishing Population Rates – Some countries have declining birth rates.

32. Developing vs. Developed Countries – Developed = higher income, stable growth; Developing = lower income, rapid growth.

Chap 7: Soil, Agriculture, Food

33. Agriculture is Fairly New (10,000 years old) – Farming changed human society.

34. Monoculture vs. Polyculture –

• Monoculture – One crop, less biodiversity.

• Polyculture – Multiple crops, more sustainable.

35. Industrial vs. Sustainable Agriculture –

• Industrial – High-yield, uses chemicals.

• Sustainable – Eco-friendly, protects soil.

36. Pesticides & Synthetic Fertilizers → Eutrophication – Runoff pollutes water.

37. Organic Farming – No synthetic chemicals, eco-friendly.

38. Pollination & Bee Colony Collapse – Bees are vital for crops; their decline threatens food supply.

39. GM Crops (Genetically Modified, U.S.) – Engineered for traits like pest resistance.

40. Seed Banks – Store genetic diversity for future crops.

41. Raising Animals for Food = Resource Intensive – Meat production requires land, water, and feed.

42. Aquaculture – Farming fish to meet seafood demand.

Chap 10: Environmental Health & Toxicology

43. Rachel Carson’s Silent Spring – Book exposing pesticide dangers (DDT).

44. Eggshell Damage Caused by DDT – DDT made bird eggs too thin, harming populations.

45. Carcinogens – Substances that cause cancer.

46. Toxicants – Harmful chemicals in the environment.

47. Radon Gas – Radioactive gas that can cause lung cancer.

48. Bisphenol A (BPA) – Found in plastics, linked to health risks.

49. Endocrine Disruptors – Chemicals that interfere with hormones.

50. Precautionary Principle vs. Innocent Until Proven Guilty –

• Precautionary – Assume substances are harmful until proven safe.

• Innocent Until Proven Guilty – Use substances until harm is proven.

51. Toxic Substances Control Act – Regulates chemicals in the U.S.

52. The European Union’s REACH – Stricter chemical regulations than the U.S.