Definitions Flashcards

1
Q

environmental science

A

applies to people and the natural world

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2
Q

natural science

A

examining the natural world
bio, geo, chem

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3
Q

social science

A

examining human interactions and institutuions

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4
Q

natural resources

A

substances and energy sources provided by the environment that are of economic value

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5
Q

resource managment

A

planning and descission making aimed at balancing a resources use with its protection and preservation

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6
Q

tragedy of the commons

A

scenario of unchecked resource usage motivated by selfishness
eg - unregulated grazing land

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7
Q

carrying capacity

A

ability of the system to support life
aquifer - fed desert oasis

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8
Q

ecological footprint

A

-measure of the land / water required to support an ind of a species
-inverse of carrying capacity
- nations can be debtors or creditors

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9
Q

Define repeatability

A

Repeatability- repeating hypothesis testing by controlling it in many ways
the hypothesis are repeated.

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10
Q

Define reproducibility

A

Reproducibility- to assure that the same results are achieved with a high degree of reliability when

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11
Q

Define theory

A

Theory- widely accepted, well tested, and validated explanation of cause and effect relationship

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12
Q

Define quantitative

A

Quantitative - describes quantities
Uses numbers and digits
Objective
Closed ended

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13
Q

Define qualitative

A

Qualitative - describes qualities
Uses languages
Subjective
They are complementary to one another
Open ended

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14
Q

Define matter

A

Anything that has mass and takes up space

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15
Q

Define chemistry

A

The study of matter and its transformation

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16
Q

Elements

A

Cannot be broken down further
Fundamental blocks of life
Elements gives the chemical substance its set of properties

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17
Q

Environment systems

A

Broad term for a network of relationships among components , elements or parts that interact with and influence each other

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18
Q

Cycle

A

Flows of important elements and components that move substances from one place to another within an envr system

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19
Q

Open system

A

Rcvs input or energy and matter and produces output

20
Q

Closed system

A

matter cycles in various part of the system but does not leave or enter the system

21
Q

Feedback loop

A

Cyclic process where a systems output is another system input

22
Q

Neg FB

A

When the output of one mechanism drives another mechanism in opp direction

23
Q

Pos FB

A

When the output of one reaction drives another mechanism in the same direction
Magnifying the effect

24
Q

Dynamic equilibrium

A

Process in which system moves in opp durection at the same rate

25
Q

Emergent properties

A

Properties that cannot be seen when looking at parts of the whole
Emergent properties can only when looked at a system as a whole
Therefore we require holistic / system based app approach to look at emergent props

26
Q

Ecology

A

Studies the interaction of an org with its biotic and abiotic factors
The abundance and distribution of an organism

27
Q

Ecosystem ecology

A

Studies the flow of energy and naterial among the biotic and abiotic factors of the system
Structure (inter relationships)
Functional orocesses like photosynthesis

28
Q

Biomass

A

Organic material from which living organism are made of

29
Q

Gpp

A

The total amount of solar energy converted to chemical bonds

30
Q

Npp

A

Gpp-respiration
The energy available for consumption
The metabolism of earth vegetation

31
Q

Secondary production

A

The energy generated when heterotrophs consume autotrophs

32
Q

Productivity

A

The rate at which biomass production occurs

33
Q

Nutrients

A

Compounds and elements required for survival

34
Q

Macronutrients

A

Nutrients req in large amt

35
Q

Micronutrients

A

Nutrients required in small amounts

36
Q

Limiting factor

A

Less then ideal availability of macronutrient that limit plant and algal growth (primary lrod)
Environmental “ nutrient bottleneck”

37
Q

Nutrient cycle

A

The flow of matter among the ecosystems

38
Q

Flux

A

Move,ent of materials among the reservoirs

39
Q

Source

A

A reservoire that release more materials then it retains

40
Q

Sink

A

A reservoire that retains more material then it release

41
Q

Turnover time

A

Time it takes for all the atoms of material to be flushed out

42
Q

Residential time

A

Avg time, a material stays within the reservoire

43
Q

Eavporation

A

Liq to gas in atp

44
Q

Transpiration

A

Water vapour release by plants

45
Q

Percipitation

A

The gas to liq returning to earth surface

46
Q

Runoff

A

Percipitation not taken up by plants or animals