EXAM 1 Material Flashcards
Scientists estimate the age of the Earth at about:
4,600,000,000 years
Humans are recent additions to the Earth’s biota (life). About how many years ago did the first modern humans (Homo sapiens) appear in Africa?
200,000 years ago
True/False: Most of millions and millions of species on Earth are well known to science. In other words, most species on Earth have been assigned a scientific name and their reproductive characteristics, life cycles, ecosystem needs, and ecosystem roles are well known.
False
Although there is evidence of human arrival in North America before this time, time is about the time when humans existed on this continent in sufficient numbers to generate considerable ecological impact.
13,000 years ago
It is accurate to say the Native American Indians were the original environmentalists.
False
The shift in the dominant environmental ethic in North America that occurred with the arrival of the European people was evident in its effects on the wildlife, soil, and ecology of the continent.
True
According to the “Importance of Biodiversity” website, anthropocentric and intrinsic values are necessarily contradictory.
False
Which of the following statements found along a scenic trail side suggests that plants have a right to live for their intrinsic value, not just because they provide pleasure or people?
“Let the flowers live” NOT please leave the flowers for others to enjoy.
Which o the following is an illustration of the European-American commitment to Manifest Destiny in the pioneer era?
Slaughter bison were shot and left to rot
Beaver extirpated from many regions
Extinction of passenger pigeon
The human population has a growing impact on the life systems of the planet. About how many people are currently in the US?
315 Million
What was the primary cause of the extinction of the passenger pigeon?
over-hunting
The dominant ethic in North America during this time was one in which the natural world was considered holy; humans were considered a species among species; and other species were acknowledged to have rights.
Tribal Era
Environmentalism and Ecology are essentially the same thing? (true or false)
False
About how much o the virgin forest of the U.S. still remain?
5%
Define Monoculture
An entire area used to support only one species; e.g. a corn field, soccer field, golf course, or a loblolly pine forest.
Define Bio-Diversity
The variety of life– may refer to genetics, communities, or ecosystems
Define Sustainability
Refers to development or use of resources in such a way that future generations will inherit a quality environment.
Define Ecosystem Services
Activities of a species that benefit other species or the biological community as a whole.
These two Romantic-Transcendentalist writers of the mid-1800s viewed the natural world with a religious awe and argued that nature has value other than for human economic gain:
Thoreau and Emerson
The Preservationist Ethic was advanced by which of the following:
John Muir
This is important conservationist is known for his essentially anthropocentric view of nature:
Gifford Pinchot
This person worked for the US Forest Service all his life and originally embraced the Resource Conservation Ethic of Gifford Pinchot. Later he found it inadequate in that it viewed land merely as a collection of individual objects and goods to be used by humans. He later came to view land not so much as a community but as a “community to which we belong”.
Aldo Leopold
The statement “economics determines ethics” can be said to be a reflection of which of the following?
Development Ethic
The dominant ethic in American society is the?
Development Ethic
