Ai generated version syllabus Flashcards
What are Environmental Value Systems?
Frameworks that shape how individuals and societies view environmental issues and make decisions.
What is Sustainability?
The practice of meeting current needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet theirs.
What is Systems Thinking?
An approach that views complex entities as interconnected systems rather than isolated parts.
What is Interdependence?
The reliance of different components within an ecosystem or society on one another for survival and function.
What is Ecological Footprint?
A measure of human demand on Earth’s ecosystems, comparing consumption to the planet’s ecological capacity.
What is Carrying Capacity?
The maximum population size that an environment can sustain indefinitely without degrading.
What is Anthropocentrism?
A belief that human beings are the most significant entity in the universe, often leading to prioritizing human needs over ecological concerns.
What is Ecocentrism?
An ethical perspective that places intrinsic value on all living things, advocating for their rights and welfare.
What is Deep Ecology?
A philosophy promoting the inherent worth of nature, emphasizing ecological balance and sustainability.
What is Environmental Ethics?
The study of moral principles governing human interactions with the environment, guiding conservation and resource use.
What is an Ecosystem?
A community of living organisms interacting with their physical environment, including both biotic and abiotic factors.
What are Biotic Factors?
Living components of an ecosystem, such as plants, animals, fungi, and microorganisms.
What are Abiotic Factors?
Non-living components of an ecosystem, including climate, soil, water, and sunlight.
What is a Food Chain?
A linear sequence showing how energy and nutrients flow through an ecosystem from producers to consumers to decomposers.
What are Trophic Levels?
Different levels in a food chain representing organisms that share the same function in the food web (e.g., producers, primary consumers).
What is Biodiversity?
The variety of life in a particular habitat or ecosystem, encompassing species richness and genetic diversity.
What is a Niche?
The role or function of an organism or species within an ecosystem, including its habitat, resource use, and interactions with other organisms.
What is a Keystone Species?
A species that has a disproportionately large impact on its environment relative to its abundance; its removal can lead to significant changes in the ecosystem.
What is Symbiosis?
A close and long-term interaction between two different biological species, which can be mutualistic, commensalistic, or parasitic.
What is Ecological Succession?
The process by which ecosystems change and develop over time through stages from pioneer species to a mature community.
What is an Endangered Species?
Species at risk of extinction due to habitat loss, poaching, pollution, or other threats.
What is Conservation Biology?
The scientific study focused on protecting biodiversity and restoring ecosystems through research and action.
What is Habitat Fragmentation?
The process by which natural habitats are divided into smaller patches due to human activities like urbanization or agriculture.
What are Invasive Species?
Non-native species that spread rapidly in a new environment, often causing harm to native species and ecosystems.
What is Genetic Diversity?
The total number of genetic characteristics within a species, contributing to its adaptability and survival.
What are Conservation Strategies?
Approaches used to protect biodiversity, including establishing protected areas, habitat restoration, and sustainable practices.
What is the Extinction Rate?
The rate at which species become extinct; current rates are significantly higher than historical averages due to human activity.
What are Biodiversity Hotspots?
Regions with high levels of endemic species that are under significant threat from human activities; important for conservation efforts.
What are Protected Areas?
Designated regions established to conserve biodiversity and natural resources; examples include national parks and wildlife reserves.
What is Ecotourism?
Responsible travel to natural areas that conserves the environment and improves the well-being of local people while promoting conservation awareness.
What is the Water Cycle?
The continuous movement of water through evaporation, condensation, precipitation, infiltration, and runoff in the environment.
What is an Aquifer?
A geological formation that can store and transmit water; crucial for providing fresh water supplies for human use.
What is Water Scarcity?
A situation where water availability is less than demand due to over-extraction or pollution; can lead to conflicts over resources.
What is Desalination?
The process of removing salt from seawater to produce fresh water; increasingly used in arid regions facing water shortages.
What is Watershed Management?
The study and management of land and water resources in a watershed area aimed at maintaining sustainability and reducing pollution.
What are Water Pollution Sources?
Various origins of contaminants affecting water quality; includes agricultural runoff (pesticides/fertilizers), industrial discharges, sewage effluent, etc.
What is Groundwater Recharge?
The process by which water from precipitation or surface water infiltrates into the ground replenishing aquifers; essential for maintaining water supplies.
What is Surface Water Management?
Strategies for managing rivers, lakes, and reservoirs to balance ecological health with human needs for recreation, irrigation, and drinking water supply.
What is Integrated Water Resource Management (IWRM)?
A holistic approach to managing water resources that considers social equity, economic efficiency, and environmental sustainability together.
What are Riparian Zones?
Areas adjacent to rivers or streams that are influenced by flooding; crucial for maintaining biodiversity and preventing erosion.
What is Soil Erosion?
The removal of the top layer of soil due to wind or water action; can lead to decreased agricultural productivity and habitat loss.
What is Sustainable Agriculture?
Farming practices designed to meet current food needs while ensuring future generations can also produce food sustainably without degrading resources.
What is Soil Fertility?
The ability of soil to provide essential nutrients (nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium) for plant growth; influenced by organic matter content and microbial activity.
What is Organic Farming?
Agricultural practices that avoid synthetic fertilizers and pesticides while promoting biodiversity through natural methods like crop rotation and composting.
What is Crop Rotation?
The practice of alternating different crops in a specific field over time to improve soil health, reduce pests/diseases, and enhance yields sustainably.
What is Agroecology?
An ecological approach to agriculture that integrates principles from ecology into farming practices for sustainable food production systems.
What are Soil Conservation Techniques?
Methods used to prevent soil degradation such as contour plowing, terracing, cover cropping, and no-till farming practices aimed at maintaining soil health over time.
What is Monoculture Farming?
The agricultural practice of growing a single crop over a wide area for consecutive seasons; can lead to reduced biodiversity and increased vulnerability to pests/diseases.
What is Food Security?
The state when all people have physical, social, and economic access to sufficient safe food that meets their dietary needs for an active life; critical for global stability.
What is Permaculture?
A design system aimed at creating sustainable agricultural ecosystems by mimicking natural ecosystems’ patterns; emphasizes self-sufficiency through integrated systems.
What are Greenhouse Gases (GHGs)?
Gases such as carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), nitrous oxide (N2O), that trap heat in the atmosphere contributing to global warming effects.
What is Climate Change Mitigation?
Efforts aimed at reducing or preventing greenhouse gas emissions through renewable energy adoption or energy efficiency improvements.
What is a Carbon Footprint?
The total amount of greenhouse gases emitted directly or indirectly by an individual or organization expressed as CO2 equivalent.
What are Renewable Energy Sources?
Energy sources such as solar power, wind power, hydroelectricity that are replenished naturally over short periods.
What are Climate Adaptation Strategies?
Adjustments made in response to actual or expected climate change impacts aimed at minimizing harm or exploiting beneficial opportunities.
What is Global Warming Potential (GWP)?
A measure comparing the ability of different gases (e.g., CO2 vs methane) to trap heat in the atmosphere over a specific time frame.
What are Climate Feedback Loops?
Processes that amplify or diminish climate change effects; positive feedback increases warming while negative feedback decreases it.
What is Deforestation?
The large-scale removal of trees from forested areas leading to loss of biodiversity carbon sinks contributing further towards climate change.
What is Ocean Acidification?
Decrease in pH levels in oceans caused by increased CO2 absorption leading detrimental effects on marine life especially coral reefs.
What are International Climate Agreements?
Treaties such as the Paris Agreement aimed at uniting countries globally towards combating climate change through emission reduction commitments.
