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Environmental Studies Exam 1 Flashcards

1
Q

Environment

A

All the living and nonliving things around us.

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2
Q

Emergence of Environmental Science

A

People realized we need to balance human progress with protecting and sustaining the natural environment.

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3
Q

Environmental Science

A

Combines biology, chemistry, physics, and social sciences to study the natural world and how humans interact with the environment.

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4
Q

Environmentalism

A

A social movement focused on raising awareness and advocating for the protection and conservation of the natural environment.

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5
Q

Differences between Environmental Science and Environmentalism

A

Environmental Science: Pursues knowledge about the environment and interactions, employs the scientific method, remains objective. Environmentalism: A social movement aimed at protecting the natural world from human-based changes.

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6
Q

Sound Science

A

Careful and objective use of the scientific method to conduct research and gather evidence about the natural world.

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7
Q

Scientific Method Steps

A

Observation, Hypothesis, Experimentation, Data Analysis, Conclusion.

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8
Q

Scientific Method

A

A series of steps to collect information or solve problems.

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9
Q

Hypothesis

A

An educated guess about the cause of an observation.

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10
Q

Null Hypothesis

A

Predicts no effect or relationship between variables.

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11
Q

Alternative Hypothesis

A

Proposes a relationship or difference between variables.

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12
Q

Null Hypothesis Example

A

There is no difference in reading comprehension between students who use audiobooks and those who do not.

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13
Q

Alternative Hypothesis Example

A

Students who cram before a test have worse test results than those who study a week in advance.

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14
Q

Theodore Roosevelt Contributions

A

Played a major role in the conservation of public lands and establishment of national parks.

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15
Q

Vandana Shiva Contributions

A

Advocate for small farmers and the preservation of biodiversity, focusing on the effects of the Green Revolution.

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16
Q

Matter

A

Anything that occupies space, has mass, and is composed of atoms.

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17
Q

Energy

A

Does not have mass or occupy space.

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18
Q

Ecology

A

The scientific study of interactions between organisms and their environment.

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19
Q

Law of Conservation of Matter

A

States that matter cannot be created or destroyed, only transformed.

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20
Q

Law of Conversion of Energy

A

States that energy cannot be created or destroyed, only converted.

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21
Q

Ecological Scales

A

Individuals → Species → Populations → Communities → Ecosystems → Biosphere.

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22
Q

Energy Flow

A

Transfer of energy from the sun through different trophic levels in an ecosystem.

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23
Q

Hydrological Cycle

A

Continuous movement and redistribution of water through the environment.

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24
Q

Biogeochemical Cycles

A

Distribution and movement of chemical elements and nutrients through the environment.

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25
Community Dynamics
Study of interactions and relationships between different species within a community.
26
Abiotic Factors
Non-living things.
27
Biotic Factors
Living things.
28
Community
All the life that might live in that area.
29
Population
Members of the same species living in the same area.
30
Species
A group of individuals that share certain characteristics.
31
Eutrophication
A process triggered by excess nitrogen and phosphorus in aquatic ecosystems.
32
Limiting Nutrients
Chemical elements present in small quantities, essential for growth.
33
Habitat
A place where a species is adapted to live.
34
Ecological Niche
Conditions and resources a species needs to survive and reproduce.
35
Different Species Interaction - Competition
Different populations/species compete for the same resources.
36
Different Species Interaction - Predation
One population eats another population.
37
Different Species Interaction - Symbiosis
Overlapping relationship between organisms of two species.
38
Effects of Environmental Conditions on Species Survival
Species evolve adaptations to specific conditions; changes can threaten survival.
39
Tropical Rainforest Climate
20C or 77F, Precipitation 180-400 cm, Vegetation: Broadleaf, evergreen, multilayered canopy.
40
Arctic and Alpine Tundra Climate
2-3 Months above freezing, Precipitation 15-180 cm, Vegetation: Few trees, dwarf shrubs, mosses.
41
Desert Climate
Warm, Cold, and Polar, Precipitation 2-25 cm, Vegetation: Grasses, shrubs, lichens.
42
Disturbance
Drives changes in an ecosystem, altering conditions and displacing community members.
43
Ecological Disturbances
Events disrupting the structure and function of an ecosystem.
44
Examples of Ecological Disturbances
Fire, Flooding, Volcanic Eruptions.
45
Anthropogenic Disturbances
Changes driven by human activities.
46
Examples of Anthropogenic Disturbances
Invasive species, forest clearing, pollution.
47
Ecological Succession
Transition from one biotic community to another.
48
Primary Succession
Beginning step of ecological succession where species colonize an uninhabited site.
49
Secondary Succession
Ecological process of community redevelopment after a habitat disturbance.
50
Process of Aquatic Succession
Begins with soil erosion into water, leading to vegetation growth and eventual terrestrial replacement.
51
Biological Wealth
Ecosystem services and capital derived from the natural environment.
52
Biodiversity
The variety of life on the planet.
53
Species Diversity
Diversity of different species.
54
Genetic Diversity
Diversity within species.
55
Ecosystem Diversity
Diversity of different habitats and ecosystems.
56
Threats to Biodiversity - HIPPO
H - Habitat Destruction, I - Invasive Species, P - Pollution, P - Population, O - Overexploitation.
57
H - Habitat Destruction
Destruction and fragmentation due to human activities.
58
I - Invasive Species
Non-native species disrupting indigenous ecosystems.
59
P - Pollution
Degradation caused by chemical pollutants.
60
P - Population
Rapid human population growth increasing pressure on resources.
61
O - Overexploitation
Excessive harvesting threatening species survival.
62
Example of Efforts to Protect Biodiversity - CITES
International agreement to prevent illegal trade of endangered species.
63
Example of Efforts to Protect Biodiversity - Endangered Species Act
Act to identify, protect, and recover endangered species.
64
Endemic Species
Species found in a specific habitat and nowhere else.
65
Keystone Species
Species that play a large role in maintaining ecosystem structure.
66
Invasive Species
Non-native organisms causing harm by disrupting balance.
67
Intrinsic Value
Value of a species or ecosystem by existing, regardless of usefulness.
68
Instrumental Value
Value based on benefits and services provided to humans.
69
Ecosystem Goods and Services
Benefits obtained from natural ecosystems.
70
Contrast Productive and Consumptive Use
Consumptive use is for personal consumption; productive use is for profit.
71
Ecosystem Valuation
Assigning value to goods and services provided by ecosystems.
72
Effect of Climatic Factors on Biome Formation
Temperature and precipitation patterns largely determine biome development.
73
Biome
Large-scale ecological zone characterized by climate and vegetation.
74
Define a Biome and Contrast with Ecosystem
Biome is large-scale, defined by climate; ecosystem is a smaller unit with organisms and their interactions.
75
Ecosystem
Community of living organisms interacting with each other and their environment.
76
A Hypothesis Must Be
Clear, testable, measurable, contain independent and dependent variables.

Env. Science (1 decks)

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