APES Terms Flashcards
the sum of all the conditions surrounding us that influence life
Environment
the field of study that looks at interactions amount human systems and those found in nature
Environmental Science
a particular location on earth with interacting biotic and abiotic components
Ecosystem
living
Biotic
nonliving
Abiotic
a social movement that seeks to protect the environment through lobbying, activism and education
Environmentalism
the process by which life supporting resources such as clean water, timber, fisheries, and agricultural crops are produced
Ecosystem Services
an indicator that describes the current state of an environmental system
Environmental indicator
the diversity of life forms in an environment
Biodiversity
a measure of the genetic variation among individuals in a population
Genetic Diversity
A group of organisms that is distinct from other groups in its morphology (body form and structure), behavior, or biochemical properties
Species
the number of species in a region or in a particular ecosystem
Species Diversity
the evolution of new species
Speciation
the average rate at which species become extinct over the long term
background extinction rate
gases in the Earth’s atmosphere that trap heat near the surface
greenhouse gases
derived from human activities
anthropogenic
amount per each person in a country or unit of population
per capita
improvement in human well-being through economic advancement
development
living on earth in a way that allows humans to use its resources without depriving future generations of those resources
sustainability
development that balances current human well-being and economic advancement with resource management for the benefit of future generations
sustainable development
love of life
biophilia
a measure of how much an individual consumes, expressed in area of land
ecological footprint
an objective method to explore the natural world, draw inferences from it, and predict the outcome of certain events, processes or changes
scientific method
a testable conjecture about how something works
hypothesis
any categories, conditions, factors, or traits that differ in the natural world or in experimental situations
variable
a variable that is not dependent on other factors
independent variable
a variable that is dependent on other factors
dependent variable
a prediction that there is not difference between the groups or conditions that are being compared
null hypothesis
the data collection procedure of taking repeated measurements
replication
the number of times a measurement is replicated in a data collection
sample size (n)
how close a measured value is to the actual or true value
accuracy
how close the repeated measurements of a sample are to one another
precision
an estimate of how much a measured or calculated value differs from a true value
uncertainty
a hypothesis that has been repeatedly tested and confirmed by multiple groups of researchers and has reached wide acceptance
theory
in a scientific investigation, a group that experiences exactly the same conditions as the experimental group, except for the single variable under study
control group
a natural event that acts as an experimental treatment in an ecosystem
natural experiment
anything that occupies space and has mass
matter
a measurement of the amount of matter an object contains
mass
the smallest particle that can contain the chemical properties of an element
atoms
a substance composed of atoms that cannot be broken down into smaller, simpler components
element
a chart of all chemical elements currently known, organized by their properties
periodic table
a particle that contains more than one atom
molecule
a molecule containing more than one element
compound
the number of protons in the nucleus of a particular element
atomic number
a measurement of the total number of protons and neutrons in an element
mass number
atoms of the same element with different numbers of neutrons
isotopes
the spontaneous release of material from the nucleus of radioactive isotopes
radioactive decay
the time it takes for one-half of an original radioactive parent atom to decay
half-life
the bond formed when elements share electrons
covalent bond
a chemical bond between two ions of opposite charges
ionic bond
a weak chemical bond that forms when hydrogen atoms that are covalently bonded to one atom are attracted to another atom on another molecule
hydrogen bond
a molecule in which one side is more positive and the other side is more negative
polar molecule
a property of water that results from the cohesion of water molecules at the surface of a body of water and that creates a sort of skin on the water’s surface
surface tension
a property of water that occurs when adhesion of water molecules to a surface is stronger than cohesion between the molecules
capillary action
a substance that contributes hydrogen ions to a solution
acid
a substance that contributes hydroxide ions to a solution
base
the number that indicates the relative strength of acids and bases in a substance
pH
an increase in the acidity of the oceans
ocean acidification
a reaction that occurs when atoms separate from molecules or recombine with other molecules
chemical reaction
a law of nature stating that matter cannot be created or destroyed; it can only change form
Law of Conservation of Matter
a compound that does not contain the element carbon or contains carbon bound to elements other than hydrogen
inorganic compounds
a compound that contains carbon-carbon and carbon-hydrogen bonds
organic compounds
a compound composed of C, H, & O atoms
carbohydrate
a critical component of living organisms made of a long chain of nitrogen-containing organic molecules known a amino acids
protein
organic compounds found in all living cells
nucleic acid
a nucleic acid, the genetic material that contains the code for reproducing the component of the next generation, and which organisms pass on to their offspring
DNA
a nucleic acid that translates the code stored in DNA< which makes protein synthesis possible
RNA
a smaller organic biological molecule that does not mix with water
lipid
a highly organized living entity that consists of the four types of macromolecules and other substances in a watery solution, surrounded by a membrane
cell
the ability to do work or transfer heat
energy
the amount of energy used when a 1-watt electrical device is turned on for 1 second
joule
the rate at which work is done
power
a form of energy emitted by the sun that includes visible light, ultraviolet light, and infrared energy
electromagnetic radiation
a massless packet of energy that carries electromagnetic radiation at the speed of light
photon
stored energy that has not been released
potential energy
potential energy stored in chemical bonds
chemical energy
energy of motion
kinetic energy
the measure of the average kinetic energy of a substance
temperature
a physical law which states that energy can neither be created nor destroyed but can change from one form to another
1st Law of Thermodynamics
a feedback loop in which change in a system is amplified
positive feedback loop
the physical law stating that when energy is transformed, the quality of energy remains the same, but its ability to do work diminishes
2nd Law of Thermodynamics
the ratio of the amount of energy expended in the form you want to the total amount of energy that is introduced into the system
energy efficiency
the ease at which an energy source can be used for work
energy quality
randomness in a system
entropy
a system in which exchanges of matter or energy occur across system boundaries
open system
a system in which matter and energy exchanges do not occur across boundaries
closed system
an addition to a system
input
a loss from a system
output
determines input, outputs, and changes in a system under various conditions
systems analysis
a state in which inputs equal outputs, so that the system is not changing over time
steady state
a feedback loop in which a system responds to a change by returning to its original state, or by decreasing the rate at which the change is occurring
negative feedback loop
the region of our planet where life resides, the combination of all ecosystems on earth
biosphere
an organism that uses the energy of the sun to produce usable forms of energy
producer (autotroph)
the process by which producers use solar energy to convert carbon dioxide and water into glucose
photosynthesis
the process by which cells unlock the energy of chemical compounds
cellular respiration
the process by which cells convert glucose and oxygen into energy, carbon dioxide and water
aerobic repiration
the process by which cells convert glucose into energy in the absence of oxygen
anaerobic respiration
an organism that is incapable of photosynthesis and must obtain its energy by consuming other organisms
consumer (heterotroph)
a consumer that eats producers
herbivore (primary consumers)
consumers that eats other consumers
carnivore
carnivore that eats primary consumers
secondary consumer
a carnivore that eats secondary consumers
tertiary consumer
the successive levels of organisms consuming one another
trophic levels
the sequence of consumption from producers through tertiary consumers
food chain
a complex model of how energy and matter move between trophic levels
food web
an organism that consumes dead animals
scavenger
an organism that specializes in breaking down dead tissues and waste products into smaller particles
detritivore
fungi and bacteria that convert organic matter into small elements and molecules that can be recycled back into the ecosystem
decomposers
the total amount of solar energy that producers in an ecosystem capture via photosynthesis over a given amount of time
Gross Primary Productivity (GPP)
the energy captured by producers in an ecosystem minus the energy producers respire
Net Primary Productivity (NPP)
the total mass of all living matter in a specific area
biomass
the amount of biomass present in an ecosystem at a particular time
standing crop
the proportion of consumed energy that can be passed from one trophic level to another
ecological efficiency
a representation of the distribution of biomass, numbers, or energy among trophic levels
trophic pyramid
the movements of matter within and between ecosystems
biogeochemical cycle
the movement of water through the biosphere
hydrologic cycle
the release of water from leaves during photosynthesis
transpiration
the combined amount of evaporation and transpiration
evapotranspiration
water that moves across the land surface and into streams and rivers
runoff
the movement of carbon around the biosphere
carbon cycle
one of six key elements that organisms need in relatively large amounts; N, P, K, Ca, Mg, S
macronutrient
a nutrient required for the growth of an organism but available in a lower quantity than other nutrients
limiting nutrients
he movement of N around the biosphere
nitrogen cycle
the process that converts nitrogen gas in the atmosphere (N2) into forms of N that producers can use
nitrogen fixation
the conversion of ammonia (NH4+) into nitrite (NO2-) and then into nitrate (NO3-)
nitrification
the process by which producers incorporate elements into their tissues
assimilation
the process by which fungal and bacterial decomposers break down the organic matter found in dead bodies and waste products and convert it into organic compounds
mineralization
the process by which fungal and bacterial decomposers break down the organic N found in dead bodies and waste products and convert it into inorganic ammonium (NH4+)
ammonification
the conversion of nitrate in a series of steps into the gases nitrous oxide (N2O) and eventually N gas (N2) which is emitted into the atmosphere
denitrification
the transportation of dissolved molecules through the soil via groundwater
leaching
the movement of P around the biosphere
phosphorous cycle
a rapid increase in the algal population of a waterway
algal bloom
low oxygen
hypoxic
when oxygen concentrations become so low that it kills fish and other aquatic life
dead zone
the movement of sulfur in the biosphere
sulfur cycle
an event, caused by physical, chemical, or biological agents, resulting in changes in population size or community composition
disturbance
a measure of how much a disturbance can affect flows of energy and matter in an ecosystem
resistance
the rate at which an ecosystem returns to its original state after a disturbance
resilience
the study and implementation of restoring damaged ecosystems
restoration ecology
all land in a given landscape that drains into a particular stream, river, lake, or wetland
watershed
the hypothesis that ecosystems experiencing intermediate levels of disturbances are more diverse than those with high or low disturbance levels
intermediate disturbance hypothesis
a layer of the atmosphere closest to the surface of Earth, extending approximately 16km (10 miles)
trophosphere
the layer of the atmosphere above the troposphere, extending roughly 16-50km (10-31 miles) above the earth’s surface
stratosphere
the percentage of incoming sunlight reflected from a surface
albedo
the maximum amount of water vapor in the air at a given temperature
saturation point
the cooling effect of reduced pressure on air as it rises higher in the atmosphere and expands
adiabatic cooling
the heating effect of increased pressure on air as it sinks toward the surface of earth and decreases in volume
adiabatic heating
the release of energy when water vapor in the atmosphere condenses into liquid water
latent heat release
global patterns of air movement that are initiated by the unequal heating of earth
atmospheric convection current
a convection current in the atmosphere that cycles between the equator and 30° N and 30° S
Hadley cell
the latitude that receives the most intense sunlight, which causes the ascending branches of the two Hadley cells to converge
Intertropical convergence zone (ITZ)
a convection current in the atmosphere, formed by air that rises at 60°N and 60°S and sinks at the poles 90°N and 90°S
Polar cell
a convection current in the atmosphere that lies between Hadley cells and polar cells
Ferrell cell
the deflection of an object’s path due to the rotation of earth
Coriolis effect
a region with dry conditions found on the leeward side of a mountain range as a result of humid winds from the ocean causing precipitation on the windward side
Rain shadow
a large-scale pattern of water circulation that moves clockwise in the Northern Hemisphere and counterclockwise in the Southern Hemisphere
gyre
the upward movement of ocean water toward the surface as a result of diverging currents
upwelling
an oceanic circulation pattern that drives the mixing of surface water and deep water
thermohaline circulation
a reversal of wind and water currents in the South Pacific
El Nino Southern Oscillation (ENSO)
a geographic region categorized by a particular combination of average annual temperature, annual precipitation, and distinctive plant growth forms on land
terrestrial biome
an aquatic region characterized by a particular combination of salinity, depth, and water flow
aquatic biome
an area where a particular species lives in nature
habitat
a cold and treeless biome with low-growing vegetation
tundra
an impermeable, permanently frozen layer of soil
permafrost
a forest biome made up primarily of coniferous evergreen trees that can tolerate cold winters and short growing seasons
boreal forest
a coastal biome typified by moderate temperatures and high precipitation
temperate rainforest
a biome with warm summers and cold winters with over 1m (39in) of precipitation annually
temperate seasonal forest
a biome characterized by hot, dry summers and mild, rainy winters
woodland/shrubland
a biome characterized by cold, harsh winters, and hot, dry summers
temperate grassland/cold desert
a warm and wet biome found between 20° N and 20° S of the equator, with little seasonal temperature variation and high precipitation
tropical rainforest
a biome marked by warm temperatures and distinct wet and dry seasons
tropical seasonal forest/savanna
a biome prevailing at approximately 30 N and 30 S, with hot temperatures, extremely dry conditions, and sparse vegetation
subtropical desert
the shallow zone of soil and water in lakes and ponds where most algae and emergent plants grow
littoral zone
a zone of open water in lakes and ponds
limnetic zone
floating algae
phytoplankton
muddy bottom of a lake, pond, or ocean
benthic zone
a region of water where sunlight does not reach, below the limnetic zone in very deep lakes
profundal zone
describes a lake with a low level of productivity
oligotrophic
describes a lake with a moderate level of productivity
mesotrophic
describes a lake with a high level of productivity
eutrophic
an aquatic biome that is submerged or saturated by water for at least part of each year, but shallow enough to support emergent vegetation
freshwater wetland
a marsh containing non woody emergent vegetation, found along the coast in temperate climates
salt marsh
an area along the coast where the freshwater of rivers mixes with salt water from the ocean
estuary
a swamp that occurs along tropical and subtropical coasts, and contains salt-tolerant trees with roots submerged in water
mangrove swamp
the narrow band of coastline between the levels of high tide and low tide
intertidal zone
the most diverse marine biome on earth, found in warm water, shallow waters beyond the shoreline
coral reef
a phenomenon in which algae inside coral die, causing the corals to turn white
coral bleaching
deep ocean water, located away from the shoreline where sunlight can no longer reach the ocean bottom
open ocean
the upper layer of ocean water in the ocean that receives enough sunlight for photosynthesis
photic zone
the deeper layer of ocean water that lacks sufficient sunlight for photosynthesis
aphotic zone
a process used by some bacteria in the ocean to generate energy with methane and hydrogen sulfide
chemeosynthesis
the number of species in a given area
species richness
the relative proportion of individuals within the different species in a given area
species evenness
the branching pattern of evolutionary relationships
phylogeny
a change in the genetic composition of a population over time
evolution
evolution below the species level
microevolution
evolution above the species level
macroevolution
a physical location on the chromosomes within each cell of an organism
gene
the complete set of genes in an individual
genotype
a set of traits expressed by an individual
phenotype
a random change in the genetic code produced by a mistake in the copying process
mutation
the genetic process by which one chromosome breaks off and attaches to another chromosome during reproductive cell division
recombination
the process in which humans determine which individuals breed, typically with a preconceived set of traits in mind
evolution by artificial selection
the process in which the environment determines which individuals survive and reproduce
evolution by natural selection
an individual’s ability to survive and reproduce
fitness
a trait that improves an individual’s fitness
adaptation
the process by which individuals move from one population to another and thereby alter the genetic composition or both populations
gene flow
a change in the genetic composition of a population over time as a result of random mating
genetic drift
a reduction in the genetic diversity of a population caused by a reduction in its size
bottleneck effect
the death of the last member of a species
extinction
a change in the genetic composition of a population as a result of descending from a small number of colonizing individuals
Founder effect
physical separation of a group of individuals from others of the same species
geographic isolation
the process of speciation that occurs with geographic isolation
allopatric speciation
the result of two populations within a species evolving separately to the point that they can no longer interbreed and produce viable offspring
reproductive isolation
the evolution of one species into two, without geographic isolation
sympatric specitation
an organism produced by copying genes from a species with a desirable trait and inserting them into another species
genetically modified organism (GMO)
the limits to the abiotic conditions that a species can tolerate
range of tolerance
the suite of abiotic conditions under which a species can survive, grow, and reproduce
fundamental niche
the range of abiotic and biotic conditions under which a species actually lives
realized niche
areas of the world in which a species lives
distribution
a species that can live under a wide range of abiotic or biotic conditions
niche generatlist
a species that is specialized to live in a specific habitat or to feed on a small group of species
niche specialist
a large extinction of species in a relatively short period of time
mass extinction
the individuals that belong to the same species and live in a given area at a particular time
population
all of the populations of organisms within a given area
community
the study of factors that cause populations to increase or decrease
population ecology
the number of individuals per unit area at a given time
population density
a description of how individuals are distributed with respect to one another
population distribution
the ratio of males to females in a population
sex ratio
a description of how many individuals fit into particular age categories in a population
age structure
a resource that a population cannot live without and that occurs in quantities lower than the population would require to increase in size
limiting resource
a factor that influences an individual’s probability of survival and reproduction in a manner that depends on the size of the population
density-dependent factor
the limit of how many individuals in a population the environment can sustain
Carrying Capacity (K)
a factor that has the same effect on an individual’s probability of survival and the amount of reproduction at any population size
Density-Independent Factor
the total number of individuals within a designed area at a given time
population size (N)
mathematical equations that can be used to predict population size at any moment in time
population growth models
the number of offspring an individual can produce in a given time period, minus the deaths of the individual or its offspring during the same period
population growth rate
the maximum potential for growth of a population under ideal conditions with unlimited resources
intrinsic growth rate (r)
(Nt=N0ert)a growth model that estimates a population’s future size Nt) after a period of time (t), based on (r) and the number of reproducing individuals in the population (N0)
exponential growth model
the curve of the exponential growth model when graphed
J-shaped curve
a growth model that describes a population whose growth is initially exponential, but slows as the population approaches the carrying capacity of the environment
Logistic growth model
the shape of the logistic growth model when graphed
S-shaped curve
when a population becomes larger than the environment’s carry capacity
overshoot
a rapid decline in a population due to death
die-off
a species with a low intrinsic growth rate that causes the population to increase slowly until it reaches carrying capacity
K-selected species
a graph that represents the distinct patterns of species survival as a function of age
survivorship curve
a pattern of survival over time in which there is high survival throughout most of the life span, but then individuals start to die in large numbers as they approach old age
Type I Survivorship Curve
a pattern of survival over time in which there is a relatively constant decline in survivorship throughout most of the life span
Type II Survivorship Curve
a pattern of survival over time in which there is low survivorship early in life with few individuals reaching adulthood
Type III Survivorship curve
strips of natural habitat that connect populations
corridor
a group of spatially distinct populations that are connected by occasional movements of individuals between them
metapopulation
when individuals with similar genotypes-typically relatives-breed with each other and produce offspring that have an impaired ability to survive and reproduce
inbreeding depression
the study of interactions between species
community ecology
the relationship between two species that live in close association with each other
symbiotic relationship
the struggle of individuals to obtain a shared limiting resource
competition
when 2 species divide a resource based on differences in their behavior morphology
resource partitioning
the principle stating that 2 species competing for the same limiting resource cannot coexist
competitive exclusion principle
an interaction in which one animal typically kills and consumes another animal
predation
a specialized type of predator that lays eggs inside other organisms (hosts)
parasitoid
an interaction in which one organism lives on or in another organism
parasitism
a parasite that causes disease in its host
pathogen
an interaction in which an animal consumes a producer
herbivory
an interaction between 2 species that increases the chances of survival or reproduction for both species
mutualism
a relationship between species in which one species benefits and the other species is neither harmed nor helped
commensalism
a species that is not very abundant but has large effects on an ecological community
keystone species
the predictable replacement of one group of species by another group of species over time
ecological succession
ecological succession occurring on surfaces that are initially devoid of soil
primary succession
the succession of plant life that occurs in areas that have been disturbed but have not lost their soil
secondary succession
a species that can colonize new areas rapidly and grow well in full sunshine
pioneer species
historically described as the final stage of succession
climax community
a theory that demonstrates the duel importance of habitat size and distance in determining species richness
theory of island biogeography
the study of human populations and population trends
demography
a scientist in the field of demography
demographer
the movement of people into a country or regions, from another country or region
immigration
the movement of people out of a country or region
emigration
the number of births per 1,000 individuals per year
crude birth rate (CBR)
the number of deaths per 1,000 individuals per year
crude death rate (CDR)
the number of years it takes a population to double
doubling time
an estimate of the average number of children that each woman in a population will bear throughout her childbearing years
total fertility rate (TFR)
the total fertility rate required to offset the average number of deaths in a population in order to maintain the current population size
replacement-level fertility
a country with relatively high levels of industrialization and income
developed country
a country with relatively low levels of industrialization and income
developing country
the average number of years that an infant born in a particular year in a particular country can be expected to live, given the current average lifespan and death rate in that country
life expectancy
the number of deaths of children under 1 year of age per 1,000 live births
infant mortality
the number of deaths of children under age 5 per 1,000 live births
child mortality
the difference between immigration and emigration in a given year per 1,000 people in a country
net migration rate
a visual representation of the number of individuals within specific age groups for a country, typically expressed for males and females
age-structure diagram
an age structure diagram that is widest at the bottom and smallest at the top, typical of developing countries
population pyramid
continues population growth after reduction measures have been implemented
population momentum
the theory that as a country moves from a subsistence economy to industrialization and increased affluence it undergoes a predictable shift in population growth
theory of demographic transition
the state of having plentiful wealth including the possession of money, goods, or property
affluence
the practice of regulating the number or spacing of offspring through the use of birth control
family planning
an equation used to estimate the impact of the human lifestyle on the environment: impact=population X affluence X technology
IPAT equation
a measure of the value of all products and services produced in 1 year in 1 country
gross domestic product (GDP)
an area that contains more than 386 people per square kilometer (1k/square mile)
urban area
the innermost zone of Earth’s interior, composed mostly of iron and nickel. It includes a liquid outer layer and a solid inner layer
core
the layer of Earth above the core, containing magma
mantle
molten rock
magma
the layer of Earth located in the outer part of the mantle, composed of semi-molten rock
asthenosphere
the outermost layer of Earth, including the mantle and crust
lithosphere
in geology, the chemically distinct outermost layer of the lithosphere
crust
in geology, a place where molten material from Earth’s mantle reaches the lithosphere
hot spot
the theory that the lithosphere of Earth is divided into plates, most of which are in constant motion
plate tectonics
the sum of the process that build up and break down the lithosphere
tectonic cycle
the process of one crustal plate passing under another
subduction
a vent in the surface of Earth that emits ash, gases, and molten lava
volcano
an area beneath the ocean where tectonic plates move away from each other
divergent plate boundary
the formulation of new ocean crust as a result of magma pushing upward and outward from Earth’s mantle to the surface
seafloor spreading
an area where plates move toward one another and collide
convergent plate boundary
an area where tectonic plates move sideways past each other
transform fault bondary
a fracture in rock caused by a movement of Earth’s crust
fault
the frequency and intensity of earthquakes experienced over time
seismic activity
a large expansion of rock where a fault has occurred
fault zone
the sudden movement of Earth’s crust caused by a release of potential energy along a geologic fault and usually causing a vibration or trembling at Earth’s surface
earthquake
the exact point on the surface of Earth directly above the location where rock ruptures during an earthquake
epicenter
a scale that measures the largest ground movement that occurs during an earthquake
Richter scale
a series of waves in the ocean caused by seismic activity or an undersea volcano
tsunami
the geologic cycle governing the constant formation, alteration, and destruction of rock material that results from tectonics, weathering, and erosion, among other processes
rock cycle
rock formed directly from magma
igneous rock
igneous rock that forms when magma rises up and cools in a place underground
intrusive igneous rock
rock that form when sediments such as muds, sands, or gravels are compressed by overlying sediments
sedimentary rock
in geology, a crack that occurs in rock as it cools
fracture
rock that forms when sedimentary rock, igneous rock, or other metamorphic rock is subjected to high temperature and pressure
metamorphic rock
rock that forms when magma cools above the surface of Earth
extrusive igneous rock
the mechanical breakdown of rocks and minerals
physical weathering
the breakdown of rocks and minerals by chemical reactions, the dissolving of chemical elements from rocks or both
chemical weathering
precipitation high in sulfuric acid and nitric acid from reactions between water vapor and sulfur and nitrogen oxides in the atmosphere. Also known as acid rain
acid precipitation
the physical removal of rock fragments from a landscape or ecosystem
erosion
the underlying rock material from which the inorganic components of a soil are derived
parent material
the loss of some or all of a soil’s ability to support plant growth
soil degredation
a horizontal layer in a soil defined by distinctive physical features such as texture and color
horizon
the organic horizon at the surface of many soils, composed of organic detritus in various stages of decomposition
O horizon
the most fully decomposed organic matter in the lowest section of the O horizon
humus
frequently the top layer of soil, a zone of organic material and minerals that have been mixed together, also known as topsoil
A horizon
a zone of leaching, or eluviation, found in some acidic soils under the O horizon or, less often the A horizon
E horizon
a soil horizon composed primarily of mineral material with very little organic matter
B horizon
the least-weathered soil horizon, which always occurs beneath the B horizon and is similar to the parent material
C horizon
the ability of a particular soil to absorb and release cations
Cation exchange capacity (CEC)
the proportion of soil bases to soil acids, expressed as a percentage
Base saturation
the average concentration of an element in the Earth’s crust
crustual abundance
a concentrated accumulation of minerals from which economically valuable materials can be extracted
ore
an element with properties that allow it to conduct electricity and heat energy, and to perform other important functions
metal
in resource management, the known quality of a resource that can be economically recovered
reserve
the removal of strips of soil and rock to expose ore
strip mining
unwanted waste material created during mining including mineral and other residues that are left behind after the desired metal or ore is removed
mine tailings
a mining technique that creates a large visible pit or hole in the ground
open-pit mining
a mining technique in which the entire top of a mountain is removed with explosives
mountaintop removal
the process of looking for minerals, metals, and precious stones in river sediments
placer mining
mining techniques used when the desired resource is more than 100m (328ft) below the surface
subsurface mining
a permeable layer of rock and sediment that contains groundwater
aquifer
an aquifer made of porous rock covered by soil out of which water can easily flow
unconfined aquifer
an aquifer surrounded by a layer of impermeable rock or clay that impedes water flow
confined aquifer
the uppermost level at which the water in a given area fully saturates rock or soil
water table
a process by which water percolates through the soil and works its way into an aquifer
groundwater recharge
a natural source of water formed when water from an aquifer percolates up to the ground surface
spring
a well created by drilling a hole into a confined aquifer
Arteisan well
an area lacking groundwater due to rapid withdrawal by a well
cone of depression
an infiltration of salt water in an area where groundwater pressure has been reduced from extensive drilling of wells
saltwater intrusion
the land adjacent to a river
floodplain
pavement or buildings that do not allow water penetration
impermeable surface
an enlarged bank built up on each side of a river
levee
a structure built to prevent ocean waters from flooding adjacent land
dike
a barrier that runs across a river or stream to control the flow of water
dam
the water body created by damming a river or stream
reservoir
a stair-like structure that allows migrating fish to get around a dam
fish-ladder
a canal, ditch, or pipe used to carry water from one location to another
aqueduct
the process of removing the salt from salt water
desalination/desalinization
a process of desalination in which water is boiled and the resulting stream is captured and condensed to yield pure water
distillation
a process of desalination in which water is forced through a thin semipermeable membrane at high pressure
reverse osmosis
the total daily per capita use of freshwater
water footprint
the cultivation of plants in greenhouse conditions by immersing roots in a nutrient rich solution
hydroponic agriculture
a water allocation system that charges rates that increase with the amount of water consumed
tiered water-pricing systems
a style of landscaping that removes water-intensive vegetation from lawns and replaces it with more water-efficient native landscaping
xeriscaping
the tendency of a shared limited resource to become depleted if it is not regulated in some way
tragedy of the commons
the cost of benefit of a good or service that is not included in the purchase price of that good or service or otherwise accounted for
externality
the max amount of a renewable resource that can be harvested without compromising the future availability of that resource
maximum sustainable yield (MSY)
the belief that people should maximize use of resources, based on the greatest good for everyone
resource conservation ethic
a US classification used to designate lands that may be used for recreation, grazing, timber harvesting, and mineral extraction
multiple-use lands
a dry open grassland primarily used for grazing cattle
rangleland
land dominated by trees and other woody vegetation and sometimes used for commercial logging
forest
a method of harvesting trees that involves removing all or almost all of the trees within an area
clear-cutting
the method of harvesting trees that involves the removal of single trees or a relatively small number of trees from the larger forest
selective cutting
an approach to removing trees from forests in ways that do not unduly affect the viability of other noncommercial tree species
ecologically sustainable forestry
a large area typically planted with a single rapidly growing tree species
tree plantation
a fire deliberately set under controlled conditions in order to reduce the accumulation of dead biomass on a forest floor
prescribed burn
a federal public land managed for the primary purpose of protecting wildlife
national wildlife refuge
an area set aside with the intent of preserving a large tract of intact ecosystem or landscape
national wilderness area
a 1969 US federal act that mandates an environmental assessment of all projects involving federal money or federal permits.
National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA)
a document outlining the scope and purpose of a development project, describing the environmental context, suggesting alternative approaches to the project, and analyzing the environmental impact of each alternative
Environmental Impact Statement (EIS)
a plan that outlines how a developer will address concerns raised by a project’s impact on the environment
Environmental mitigation plan
a 1973 US act designed to protect species from extinction
endangered species act
an area surrounding a metropolitan center, with a comparatively low population density
suburb
an area similar to a suburb, but unconnected to any central city or densely populated area
exurb
urbanized areas that spread into rural areas, removing clear boundaries between the two
urban sprawl
the degradation of the built and social environments of the city that often accompanies and accelerates migration to the suburbs
urban blight
a US federal fund that pays for the construction and maintenance of roads and highways
Highway Trust Fund
the phenomenon in which an increase in the supply of a good causes demand to grow
induced demand
a planning tool used to separate industry and business from residential neighborhoods
zoning
a zoning classification that allows retail and high-density residential development to coexist in the same area
multi-use zoning
a set of principles for community planning that focuses on strategies to encourage the development of sustainable, healthy communities
smart growth
a person or organization with an interest in a particular place or issue
stakeholder
the feeling that an area has a distinct and meaningful character
sense of place
development that attempts to focus dense residential and retail development around stops for public transportation, a component of smart growth
transit-oriented development (TOD)
development that fills in vacant lots within existing communities rather than expanding into new land outside the city
infill
a restriction on development outside a designated area
urban growth boundary
a principle that grants government the power to acquire a property at fair market value even if the owner does not wish to sell it
eminent domain
the condition in which not enough calories are ingested to maintain health
undernutrition
having a diet that lacks the correct balance of proteins, carbs, vitamins, and minerals
malnourished
a condition in which people have access to sufficient, safe and nutritious food that meets dietary needs for an active and healthy life
food security
a condition in which people do not have adequate access to food
food insecurity
the condition in which food insecurity is so extreme that large numbers of deaths occur in a given area over a relatively short period
famine
iron defiency
anemia
ingestion of too many calories and a lack of balance of foods and nutrients
overnutrition
livestock or poultry consumed as food
meat
agriculture that applies the techniques of mechanization and standardization to the production of food: agribusiness
industrial agriculture
the observation that average costs of production fall as output increases
economies of scale
the fossil fuel energy and human energy input per calorie of food produced
energy subsidy
a shift in agricultural practices in the 12th century that included new management techniques, mechanization, fertilization, irrigation, and improved crop varieties, that resulted in increased food output
green revolution
a form of soil degradation that occurs when soil remains under water for prolonged periods
waterlogging
fertilizer composed of organic matter from plants and animals
organic fertilizer
a form of soil degradation that occurs when small amounts of salts in irrigation water becomes highly concentrated on the soil surface through evaporation
salinization
fertilizer produced commercially, normally with the use of fossil fuels: inorganic fertilizer
synthetic fertilizer
an agriculture method that utilizes large plantings of a single species or variety
monocropping
a substance, either natural or synthetic, that kills or controls organisms that people consider pests
pesticide
a pesticide that targets species of insects and other invertebrates that consume crops
insecticide
a pesticide that targets species of plants that people view as a weed
herbicide
a pesticide that kills many different types of pest
broad-spectrum pesticide
a pesticide that targets a narrow range of organisms: narrow-spectrum pesticide
selective pesticide
a pesticide that remains in the environment for a long time
persistent pesticides
a pesticide that breaks down rapidly, usually in weeks or months
nonpersistent pesticide
a trait possessed by certain individuals that are exposed to a pesticide and survive
pesticide resistance
a cycle of pesticide development, followed by pest resistance, followed by new pesticide development
pesticide treadmill
a large indoor or outdoor structured designed for max output
Concentrated animal feeding operation (CAFO)
the unintentional catch of nontarget species while fishing
bycatch
farming aquatic organisms such as fish, shellfish, and seaweeds
aquaculture
a commercially harvestable population of fish within a particular ecological region
fishery
the decline of a fish population by 90% or more
fishery collapse
an agricultural method in which land is cleared and used for a few years until the soil is depleted of nutrients
shifting agriculture
a process where repeated trampling by humans, machinery, or animals causes a compaction of soil and a reduction in pore space
soil compaction
the feeding of herds of animals by moving them to seasonally productiv feeding grounds, often over long distances
nomadic grazing
an agricultural technique in which crop species in a field ar rotated from season to season
crop rotation
the transformation of arable, productive land to desert or unproductive land due to climate change or destructive land use
desertification
agriculture that fulfills the need for food and fiber while enhancing the quality of the soil, minimizing the use of nonrenewable resources, and allowing economic viability for the farmer
sustainable agriculture
an agricultural methods in which two or more crop species are planted in the same field at the same time to promote a synergistic interaction
intercropping
an agricultural technique in which trees and vegetables are intercropped
agroforestry
an agricultural technique in which plowing and harvesting are done parallel to the topographic contours of the land
contour plowing
a plant that lives many years
perennial plant
a plant that lives only one season
annual plant
an agricultural method in which farmers do not turn the soil between seasons as a means of reducing topsoil erosion
no-till agriculture
an agricultural practice that uses a variety of techniques designed to minimize pesticide inputs
integrated pest management (IPM)
the production of crops in a way that sustains or improves the soil, without the use of **synthetic fertilizers or pesticides
organic agriculture
a fishery management program in which individual fishers are given a total allowable catch of fish in a season that they can either catch or sell
individual transferable quota (ITQ)
a fuel derived from biological material that became fossilized millions of years ago
fossil fuel
an energy source with a finite supply, primarily the fossil fuels and nuclear fuels
nonrenewable energy resource
fuel derived from radioactive materials that give off energy
nuclear fuel
an energy source that is bought and sold
commercial energy source
an energy source gathered by individuals for their own immediate needs
subsistence energy source
something that can move and deliver energy in a convenient, useable form to end users
energy carrier
a device that can be turned by water, steam, or wind to produce power
turbine
a network of interconnected transmission lines that joins power plants together and links them with end users
electrical grid
a power plant that uses both exhaust gases and steam turbines to generate electricity
combined cycle
in reference to an electricity-generating plant, the maximum electrical output
capacity
the fraction of time a power plant operates in a year
capacity factor
the use of a fuel to generate electricity and produce heat. Also known as combined heat and power
cogeneration
a solid fuel formed primarily from the remains of trees, ferns, and other plant materials preserved 280-360 million years ago
coal
a widely-used fossil fuel that occurs in underground deposits, composed of a liquid mix of hydrocarbons, water and sulfur
petroleum
liquid petroleum removed from the ground
crude oil
slowing-flowing, viscous deposits of bitumen mixed with sand, water and clay
oil sands
a degraded petroleum that forms when petroleum migrates to the surface of Earth and is modified by bacteria
bitumen
the technology to convert solid coal into liquid fuel
CTL (coal to liquid)
the energy use per unit of GDP
energy intensity
a bell-shaped curve representing oil use and projecting both when world oil production will reach a max and when the world will run out of oil
Hubbert curve
the point at which half the total known oil supply is used up
peak oil
nuclear reaction in which a neutron strikes a relatively large atomic nucleus, which then splits into two or more parts, releasing additional neutrons and energy in the form of heat
fission
a cylindrical tube that encloses nuclear fuel within a nuclear reactor
fuel rod
a cylindrical device inserted between the fuel rods in a nuclear reactor to absorb excess neutrons and slow or stop the fission reaction
control rod
nuclear fuel that can no longer produce enough heat to be useful in a power plant but continues to emit radioactivity
radioactive waste
unit that measures the rate at which a sample of radioactive material decays; 1 Bq=decay of 1 atom or nucleus per second
Becquerel (Bq)
a unit of measure for radiation 1 curie= 37 billion decays per second
curie
a reaction that occurs when lighter nuclei are forced together to produce heavier nuclei
nuclear fusion
finding and implementing ways to use less energy
energy conservation
a billing system used by some electric companies in which customers pay higher rates as their use goes up
tiered rate system
the greatest quantity of energy used at any one time
peak demand
construction designed to take advantage of solar radiation without active technology
passive solar design
a property of a building material that allows it to maintain heat or cold
thermal mass
an energy source that can be regenerated indefinitely as long as it is not over harvested
potentially renewable
an energy source that cannot be used up
nondepletable
in energy management, an energy source that is either potentially renewable or nondepletable
renewable
liquid fuel created from processed or refined biomass
biofuel
carbon in biomass that was recently in the atmosphere
modern carbon
carbon in fossil fuels
fossil carbon
an activity that does not change atmospheric CO2 concentrations
carbon neutral
the process of removing more than is replaced by growth, typically used when referring to carbon
net removal
alcohol made by converting starches and sugars from plant material into alcohol and CO2
ethanol
a diesel substitute produced by extracting and chemically altering oil from plants
biodiesel
a vehicle that runs on either gas or a gal/ethanol mix
flex-fuel vehicle
electricity generated by the kinetic energy of moving water
hydroelectricity
hydroelectricity generation in which water is retained behind a low dam or no dam
run-of-the-river
the storage of water in a reservoir behind a dam
water impoundment
energy that comes from the movement of water driven by the gravitational pull of the moon
tidal energy
the accumulation of sediments, primarily silt, on the bottom of a reservoir
siltation
energy captured from sunlight with advanced technologies
active solar energy
a system of capturing energy from sunlight and converting it directly into electricity
photovoltaic solar cell
energy generated from the kinetic energy of moving air
wind energy
a turbine that converts wind energy into electricity
wind turbine
heat energy that comes from the natural radioactive decay of elements deep within the earth
geothermal energy
a technology that transfers heat from the ground to a building
ground source heat pump
an electrical-chemical device that converts fuel, such as hydrogen, into an electrical current
fuel cell
the application of an electric current to water molecules to split them into hydrogen and oxygen
electroloysis
an efficient, self-regulating electricity distribution network that accepts any source of electricity and distributes it automatically to end users
smart grid
water produced by livestock operations and human activities
wastewater
a distinct location from which pollution is directly produced
point source
the amount of oxygen a quantity of water uses over a period of time at a specific temperature
biochemical oxygen demand (BOD)
a diffuse area that produces pollution
nonpoint source
solid waste material from wastewater
sludge
a phenomenon in which a body of water becomes rich in nutrients
eutrophication
a species that indicates whether or not disease-causing pathogens are likely present
indicator speces
an increase in fertility in a body of water, the result of anthropogenic inputs of nutrients
cultural eutrophication
a group of generally harmless microorganisms in human intestines that can serve as an indicator species for potentially harmful microorganisms associated with contaminated sewage
feca coliform bacteria
a large container that receives wastewater from a house as part of a septic system
septic tank
a relatively small and simple sewage treatment system, make up of a septic tank and a leach field, often used for homes in rural areas
septic system
human-made pond lined with rubber built to handle large quantities of manure produced by livestock
manure lagoon
a component of a septic system, made up of underground pipes laid out below the surface of the ground
leach field
a layer of fairly clear water found in the middle of a septic tank
septage
acids deposited on Earth as rain and snow or as gases and particulates that attach to the surfaces of plants, soils, and water
acid deposition
a group of industrial compounds used to manufacture plastics and insulate electrical transformers, and responsible for may environmental problems
polychlorinated byphenyls (PBCs)
a group of harmful chemicals used for rocket fuel
perchlorates
nonchemical pollution that occurs when human activities cause a substantial change in the temperature of water
thermal pollution
a dramatic change in water temperature that can kill organisms
thermal shock
legislation that supports the “protection and propagation of fish, shellfish and wildlife and recreation in and on the water” by maintaining and, when necessary, restoring the chemical, physical and biological properties of surface waters
Clean Water Act
legislation that sets the national standards for safe drinking water
Safe Drinking Water Act
the standard for safe drinking water established by the EPA under the Safe Drinking Water Act
Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL)
the introduction of chemicals, particulate matter, or microorganisms into the atmosphere at concentrations high enough to harm plants, animals, and materials such as buildings, or to alter ecosystems
air pollution
reduced visibility
haze
solid or liquid particles suspended into air
paritculate matter (PM)
a class or air pollutants formed as a result of sunlight acting on compounds such as nitrogen oxides
photochemical oxidant
a secondary pollutant made up of 3 oxygen atoms bound together
ozone (O3)
a type of air pollution that is a mix of oxidants and particulate matter
smog
smog that is dominated by oxidants such as ozone
photochemical smog
smog dominated by sulfur dioxide
sulfurous smog
an organic compound that evaporates at typical atmospheric temperatures
volatile organic compound (VOC)
a polluting compound that comes directly out of a smokestack, exhaust pipe, or natural emissions source
primary pollutant
a primary pollutant that has undergone transformation in the presence of sunlight, water, oxygen, or other compounds
secondary pollutant
a situation in which a relatively warm layer of air at mid-altitude covers a layer of cold, dense air below
thermal inversion
the layer of warm air that traps emissions in a thermal inversion
inversion layer
a long, thin, fibrous silicate mineral with insulating properties, which can cause cancer when inhaled
asbestos
a buildup of toxic pollutants in an airtight material outputs from a system that are not useful or consumedspace, seen in newer buildings
sick building syndrome
material outputs from a system that are not useful or consumed
waste
the process of designing a product so that it will need to be replaced within a few years
obsolescence
refuse collected by municipalities from households, small businesses, and institutions
municipal sold waste (MSW)
the flow of solid waste that is recycled, incinerated, placed in a solid waste landfill, or disposed of in another way
waste stream
a popular phrase promoting the idea of diverting materials from the waste stream
reduce, reuse, recycle
an approach to waste management that seeks to cut waste by reducing the use of potential waste materials in the early stages of design and manufacture
source reduction
using a product or material that was intended to be discarded
reuse
the process by which materials destined to become municipal solid waste (MSW) are collected and converted into raw materials that are then used to produce new objects
recycling
recycling a product into the same product
closed-loop recyling
recycling one product into a different product
open-loop recycling
creation of organic matter (humus) by decomposition under controlled conditions to produce an organic-rich material that enhances soil structure, cation exchange capacity, and fertility
composting
liquid that contains elected levels of pollutants as a result of having passed through municipal solid waste (MSW) or contaminate soil
leachate
an engineered ground facility designed to hold municipal solid waste (MSW) with as little contamination of the surrounding environment as possible
sanitary landfill
a fee charged for disposing of material in a landfill or incinerator
tipping fee
the designation of a landfill location, typically through a regulatory process involving studies, written reports, and public hearings
siting
the process of burning waste materials to reduce volume and mass, sometimes to generate electricity or heat
incineration
the residual nonorganic material that does not combust during incineration
ash
residue collected at the bottom of the combustion chamber in a furnace
bottom ash
the residue collected from the chimney o exhaust pipe of a furnace
fly ash
a system in which heat generated by incineration is used as an energy source rather than released into the surrounding environment
waste-to-energy
the common name for the Comprehensive Environmental Response and Liability Act (CERCLA); a 1980 US federal act that imposes a tax on the chemical and petroleum industries, funds the cleanup of abandoned and nonoperating hazardous waste sites, and authorizes the federal government to respond directly to the release or threatened release of substances that may pose a threat to human health or the environment
Superfund Act
liquid, solid, gaseous, or sludge waste material that is harmful to humans, ecosystems, or materials
hazardous waste
contaminated industrial or commercial sites that may require environmental cleanup before they can be redeveloped or expanded
brownfields
a system tool that examines the materials used and released throughout the lifetime of a product - from the procurement of raw materials through their manufacture, use, and disposal; also known as cradle-to-grave analysis
life-cycle analysis
an approach to waste disposal that employs several waste reduction, management, and disposal strategies in order to reduce the environmental impact of MSW
integrated waste management
any impaired function of the body with a characteristic set of symptoms
disease
a disease caused by a pathogen
infectious disease
a disease that rapidly impairs the functioning of an organism
acute disease
a disease that slowly impairs the functioning of an organism
chronic disease
a situation in which a pathogen causes a rapid increase in disease
epidemic
an epidemic that occurs over a large geographic area
pandemic
an infectious disease caused by a bacterium (Yersinia pestis) that is carried by fleas
plague
an infectious disease caused by one of several species of protists in the genus Plasmodium
malaria
a highly contagious disease caused by the bacterium Mycobacterium tuberculosis that primarily infects the lungs
tuberculosis
an infectious disease that has not been previously described or has not been common for at least 20 years
emergent infectious disease
an infectious disease caused by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)
Acquired Immune Disease Syndrome (AIDS)
a type of virus that causes AIDS
Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)
an infectious disease with high death rates, caused by several species of Ebola viruses
Ebola hemorrhagic fever
a disease in which prions mutate into deadly pathogens and slowly damage a cow’s nervous system
Mad Cow disease
a small, beneficial protein that occasionally mutates into a pathogen
prion
a type of flu caused by the H1N1 virus
swine flu
a type of flu caused by the H5N1 virus
bird flu
a type of flu caused by a coronavirus
Severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS)
a virus that lives in hundreds of species of birds and is transmitted among birds by mosquitoes
West Nile virus
a disease caused by a bacterium (Borrelia burgdorferi) that is transmitted by ticks
Lyme disease
a disease caused by a pathogen that causes fetuses to be born with unusually small heads and damaged brains
Zika virus disease
a chemical that disrupts the nervous systems of animals
neurotoxin
a chemical that causes cancer
carcinogen
a type of carcinogen that causes damage to the genetic material of a cell
mutagen
a chemical that interferes with the normal development of embryos or fetuses
teratogen
a chemical that causes allergic reaction
allergen
a chemical that interferes with the normal functioning of hormones in an animal’s body
endocrine disruptor
a study that exposes organisms to different amounts of a chemical and then observes a variety of possible responses, including mortality or changes in behavior or reproduction
dose-response study
an experiment that exposes organisms to an environmental hazard for a short duration
acute study
an experiment that exposes organisms to an environmental hazard for a long duration
chronic study
the lethal dose of a chemical that kills 50% of the individuals in a dose-response study
LD50
the length of time a chemical remains in the environment
persistence
the effect of an environmental hazard that is not lethal, but which may impair an organism’s behavior, physiology, or reproduction
sublethal effect
the effective dose of a chemical that causes 50% of the individuals in a dose-response study to display a harmful, but nonlethal, effect
ED50
the highest concentration of a chemical that causes no lethal or sublethal effects
no-observed effect level (NOEL)
a study that monitors people who have been exposed to an environmental hazard, such a harmful chemical, at some time in the past
retrospective study
a study that monitors people who have been exposed to an environmental hazard, such a harmful chemical, at some time in the past
prospective study
a situation in which two risks together cause more harm than expected based on the separate effects of each risk alone
synergistic interaction
the way in which an individual might come into contact with an environmental hazard
route of exposure
how well a chemical dissolves in liquid
solubility
an increased concentration of a chemical within an organism over time
bioaccumulation
the increase in chemical concentration in animal tissues as the chemical moves up the food chain
biomagnification
anything in the environment that can potentially cause harm
environmental hazard
principle based on the belief that a potential hazard should not be considered an actual hazard until the scientific data definitively demonstrate that it actually causes harm
innocent-until-proven-guilty
a principle based on the belief that action should be taken against a plausible environmental hazard
precautionary principle
a 2001 agreement among 127 nations concerning 12 chemicals to be banned, phased out or reduced
stockholm convention
2007 agreement among the nations of the European Union about regulation of chemicals; the acronym stands for registration, evaluation, authorization, and restriction of chemicals
REACH
according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), species that have a high risk of extinction in the future
threatened species
species that are likely to become threatened in the future
near-threatened species
species that are widespread and abundant
least-concern species
value independent of any benefit to humans
intrinsic value
value independent of any benefit to humans
instrumental value
species that live in their historical range, typically where they have lived for thousands of years
native species
a species living outside its historical range
exotic species
a species that spreads rapidly across large areas and causes harm
invasive species
a US act that prohibits interstate shipping of all illegally harvested plants and animals
Lacey Act
a 1973 treaty formed to control the international trade o threatened plants and animals
Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES)
a list of worldwide threatened species
red list
a 1972 US act to protect declining populations of marine mammals
Marine Mammal Protection Act
a species that is in danger of extinction within the foreseeable future throughout all or a significant portion of its range
endangered species
according to US legislation, any species that is likely to become an endangered species within the foreseeable future future throughout all or a significant portion of its range
threatened species
an international treaty to help protect biodiversity
convention on biological diversity
habitat that occurs where two different communities come together, typically forming an abrupt transition, such as where a grassy field meets a forest
Edge habitat
protected area consisting of zones that vary in the amount of permissible human impact
biosphere reserve
change that occurs in the chemical, biological, and physical properties of the planet
global change
changes in the average weather that occurs in an area over a period of years or decades
global climate change
the warming of the oceans, land masses, and atmosphere of earth
global warming
absorption of infrared radiation by atmospheric gases and reradiation of the energy back toward earth
Greenhouse effect
an estimate of how much a molecule of any compound can contribute to global warming over a period of 100 years relative to a molecule of CO2
Greenhouse warming potential
the process by which an increase in ocean CO2 causes more CO2 to be converted to carbonic acid, which lowers the pH of the water
ocean acidification
an international agreement that sets a goal for global emissions of greenhouse gases from all industrialized countries to be reduced by 5.2% below their 1990 levels by 2012
Kyoto Protocol
an approach to stabilizing greenhouse gases by removing CO2 from the atmosphere
carbon sequestration
the status of being happy, healthy and prosperous
well-being
the study of how humans allocate scarce resources in the production, distribution, and consumption of goods and services
economics
a measure of economic status that includes personal consumption, income distribution, levels of higher education, resource depletion, pollution, and the health of the population
Genuine Progress Indicator (GPI)
the practice of assigning monetary value to intangible benefits and natural capital
valuation
the phenomenon of less developed countries adopting technological innovations developed in wealthy countries
technology transfer
the phenomenon of less developed countries using new technology without first using the precursor technology
leapfrogging
the resources of the planet, such as air, water, and minerals
natural capital
human knowledge and abilities
human capital
all goods and services that humans produce
manufactured capital
when the economic system does not account for all costs
market capital
when the economic system does not account for all costs
market failure
a subfield of economics that examines that costs and benefits of various policies and regulations that seek to regulate or limit air and water pollution and other causes of environmental degradation
environmental economics
the study of economics as a component of ecological systems
ecological economics
a worldview that encompasses how one thinks the world works; how one views one’s role in the world; and what one believes to be proper environmental behavior
environmental worldview
a world view that focuses on human welfare and well-being
anthropocentric worldview
the careful and responsible management and care for Earth and its resources
stewardship
a worldview that holds that humans are just one of many species on Earth, all of which have equal intrinsic value
biocentric worldview
a worldview that places equal value on all living organisms and the ecosystems in which they live
ecocentric worldview
a global institution dedicated to promoting dialogue among countries with the goal of maintaining world peace
United Nations (UN)
a program of the UN responsible for gathering environmental information, conducting research, and assessing environmental problems
United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP)
a global institution that provides technical and financial assistance to developing countries with the objectives of reducing poverty and promoting growth, especially in the poorest countries
World Bank
a global institution dedicated to the improvement of human health by monitoring and assessing health trends and providing medical advice to countries
World Health Organization (WHO)
an international program that works in 166 countries around the world to advocate change that will help people obtain a better life through development
United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)
the US organization that oversees all governmental efforts related to the environment, including science, research, assessment, and education
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
an agency of the US Department of Labor, responsible for the enforcement of health and safety regulations
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)
the US organization that advances the energy and economic security of the US
Department of Energy (DOE)
a measurement index that combines three basic measures of human status: life expectancy, knowledge and education
Human development index (HDI)
a measurement index developed by the UN to investigate the proportion of a population suffering from deprivation in a country with a high HDI
Human poverty index (HPI)
a strategy for pollution control that involves regulations and enforcement mechanisms
Command-and-control approach
a strategy for pollution control that constructs financial and other incentives for lowering emissions based on profits and benefits
Incentive-based approach
a tax placed on environmentally harmful activities or emissions in an attempt to internalize some of the externalities that may be involved in the life cycle of those activities or products
Green tax
an approach to sustainability that considers three factors - economic, environmental, and social - when making decisions about business, the economy, an development
triple bottom line
