Environmental Principles Flashcards
What us a colorless, odorless and tasteless mixture of gases?
Air
Air must contain approximately how much oxygen and nitrogen?
21% Oxygen and 78% Nitrogen
Define Habit
The area or type of environment in which an organism or biological population normally lives
Define Pesticide
Material used to control pests
Define Herbicides
Material used to control plants
Many pesticides are chemicals mixed with what?
Water
Why do they mix in water with pesticide chemicals?
So they can be sprayed on plants, animals, soil, or water to kill or otherwise control diseases, insects, weeds, rodents, and other pests
Define the Greenhouse Effect
The heat buildup from the rays through the clear object and the resulting heat being trapped inside
What is step one in the Greenhouse Effect process?
Sunlight travels through the atmosphere and warms the Earth’s surface
What is step two in the Greenhouse Effect process?
The surface radiates heat (infrared radiation) back into the atmosphere, where some of ot escapes into space
What is step three in the Greenhouse Effect process?
Some rays are absorbed by water vapor and other greenhouse gases in the atmosphere
What is step four in the Greenhouse Effect process?
As greenhouse gases from factory emissions and other sources build in the atmosphere, more heat is trapped and reflected to Earth. The oceans warm, producing more water vapor, which traps still more heat
What is step five in the Greenhouse Effect process?
The temperature of the planet rises to achieve a new balance
What does EPA stand for?
Environmental Protection Agency
What are the EPA offices?
Office of Air Quality Planning and Standards, Alternative Fuels Data Center, and the Commission for Environmental Cooperation
Define Universal Solvent
A substance that dissolves or otherwise changes most other materials
What is the universal solvent?
Water
Define Water Cycle
The cycling of water among the water sources, atmosphere and surface area
What energy drives the water cycle?
Solar energy and the force of gravity
Define Deserts
Areas with continuous, severe water shortage
How have some desert areas in the southwest become productive?
Modern irrigation practices
Define Irrigantion
The addition of water to the land to supplement the water provided for crop production by rain or snow
Define Gravitational (ground)water
Water drains out of the soil after being wet
Define Capillary (ground) water
Water can be used by the plant through the roots
Define Hygroscopic (ground) water
Holds water too tight and the plant cant use it
What does “No- Till” mean?
Planting crops without plowing or disking the soil
Define Contour
Following the level of the land around a hill
Define Terrace
A soil or wall structure built across the slope
Define Cover Crop
A close-growing crop planted to temporarily protect the soil surface
What does the construction of terraces on sloping land do?
Distributes water precipitation along the terrace and helps prevent soil erosion
Both wind and water are capable of doing what to soil?
Eroding it
How many tons of soil are worn away every year?
1.6 Billion
How many acres is soil worn away from each year?
417 Million
What does one ton of soil equal?
2,000 Pounds
How many national acres are highly erodible?
41 Million (50 or more tons per acre per year)
What does Conservation Tillage mean?
Means using techniques of soil preparation, planting, and cultivation that disturb the soil the least, leaving the maximum amount of plant residue on the surface
Define Crop Rotation
Planting of different crops in a given field every year or every several years
What is the material that reduces the acid content of soil?
Lime
Name the layers of soil (top to bottom)
O-Horizon, A-Horizon, B-Horizon, C-Horizon, R-Horizon
What does the O-Horizon contain?
Humus or Organic
What does the A-Horizon contain?
Topsoil
What does the B-Horizon contain?
Subsoil
What does the C-Horizon contain?
Parent Material
What does the R-Horizon contain?
Bedrock
Explain Class 1 Capability Class
Soils have few limitations that restrict their use
Explain Class 2 Capability Class
Soils have moderate limitations that reduce the choice of plants or require moderate conservation practices
Explain Class 3 Capability Class
Soils have severe limitations that reduce the choice of plants, require special conservation practices, or both
Explain Class 4 Capability Class
Soils have severe limitations that reduce the choice of plants, require careful management, or both
Explain Class 5 Capability Class
Soils are not likely to erode but have other limitations that are impractical to remove and limit their use
Explain Class 6 Capability Class
Soils have severe limitations that make them generally unsuitable for cultivation
Explain Class 8 Capability Class
Soils have severe limitations that make them unsuitable for cultivations
Explain Class 9 Capability Class
Soils and geologic features have limitations that nearly always prevent their use for agricultural
production except light grazing
What are the three main types of soil texture?
Sandy, clay or loam
Define Gypsum
A soil amendment that is often used to reduce the alkalinity of agriculture soil
What happens to a plant with a phosphorus deficiency?
Shortage marks leaves with reddish purple
What happens to a plant with a potassium deficiency?
A firing or drying along the tips and edges of lowest leaves
What happens to a plant with a nitrogen deficiency?
Yellowing that starts at tip and moves along the middle of leaf
What happens to a plant with a magnesium deficiency?
Whitish stripes along the veins and often a purplish color on the underside of the lower leaves
What happens to a plant with drought?
Grayish green color, leaves may roll up
What happens to a plant with disease?
Starts in small spots, gradually spreads across leaf
What happens to a plant with chemicals?
Sometimes burn tips, edges of leaves and at other contacts. Tissue dies and leaf becomes
whitecap
What does NPK stand for?
Nitrogen, Phosphorus, Potassium
Define Hydroponics
Growing plants without soil
Define Aggregate culture
Material such as sand, gravel or marbles supports the plant roots
Define Water culture
Plant roots are immersed in nutrient filled water
Define Aeroponics
Plant roots hang in the air and
misted regularly with nutrient solution
How many acres are there of timberland?
483 Million
How many acres are there of other forest land?
248 Million
How many total acres of total forestry land?
731 Million
What is the unit of measurement for lumber that is equal to 1x12x12 inches?
A board foot
What is the formula for calculating board feet?
Number of pieces x thickness in inches x width in inches x length in ft /12
Define Mutualism
Two types of animals that live together for mutual benefit
Define Commensalism
Refers to a plant or animal that lives in, on, or with another, sharing its food, but not helping or harming. One species is helped, but the other is neither helped
nor harmed
What are all the classifications of wildlife?
Farm, forest, wetlands, streams, lakes and ponds
What is the most productive and important wildlife management areas?
Wetlands
