Final Review Flashcards
What does Anthropocentric mean?
Human-Centered. Focuses on human wellbeing and economic interests.
What does Biocentric mean?
Life-Centered. Values all living things and their wellbeing equally.
What does Ecocentric mean?
Ecosystem-Centered. Highlights independence of all living organisms. Advocates for health and stability of entire ecological systems
What does TEK stand for?
Traditional Ecological Knowledge
What are the core values of TEK?
Interconnectedness and Sustainability
Define Environmental Science
Focuses on the study of the environment using scientific principles to solve problems. Eg. Experiments, observations and samples
Define Environmental Studies
Examines the environment from social, economic, political and cultural perspectives. Eg. Case studies, interviews, impacts on community
Name 3 ways the Industrial Revolution affected the environment. (Positive or negative)
- Lowered cost of clothing
- Increased job opportunities
- Improved transportation
- Water Pollution
- Depletion of natural resources
- Environmental degradtion
Name 3 ways the Green Revolution affected the environment. (Positive or negative)
- Increased agricultural efficiency
- Increased crop productivity
- Deforestation
- Loss of biodiversity
- Increased greenhouse gases
What are the 3 Pillars of sustainability?
Environmental
Economic
Social Justice
Briefly describe the Environmental Pillar of Sustainability
Focuses on preservation of natural resources and ecosystems. Eg. Discussions about reducing pollution, climate change and energy sources
Briefly describe the Economic Pillar of sustainability
Ensures economic practises support long term resource availability and stability. Eg. Green technology and sustainable business practices
Briefly describe the Social justice Pillar of Sustainability
Highlights fair and equitable treatment of all people ensuring that communities have access to resources and opportunities.
Name and describe 3 human activities that affect air quality
Transportation: Emissions from: cars, trucks and planes. Fossil fuel combustion contributes to pollution like nitrogen oxide and particulate matter (PM).
Industrial Processes: Release pollutants into the air.
Agriculture: Fertilizers and pesticides can release ammonia and other pollutants.
Household activities: Cleaning products, paints and wood burning stoves
Name and describe 2 technologies that affect air quality
Energy Production: Coal, oil and natural gas
Consumer Electronics: Manufacturing processes and energy consumption of devices
Waste Management: Landfills and waste incineration
What is the ozone layer and what does it do?
High concentration of ozone in the stratosphere that absorbs ultraviolet rays from the sun, protecting life on earth.
Climate VS Weather
- Climate : weather patterns recorded over a long period of time. Is usually pretty constant with no drastic changes
- Weather: short term changes in weather. Can be drastic changes in humidity, precipitation temperature and conditions
Name 3 chemical indicators in an aquatic ecosystem
- pH: a figure expressing the acidity or alkalinity of a solution
- Dissolved O2
- Nutrients : Nitrogen and phosphorus
- Temperature
- Turbidity : measure of clarity in a liquid
Name 2 Physical Indicators in an aquatic ecosystem
- Water temperature
- Flow rate
- Habitat structure eg presence of vegetation
Name 3 biological indicators in an aquatic ecosystem
- Indicator species: Organisms sensitive to environmental changes eg. mayflies
- Keystone species: Species that have a disproportionately large effect on their environment eg otters, wolves
- Invasive Species: Non-native species that disrupt ecosystems eg. zebra mussels
Name 5 Abiotic factors in a aquatic ecosystem
pH
Dissolved O2
Turbidity
Temp
Total dissolved solids
Phosphorus
Nitrogen
Stream flow
Biochemical oxygen demand
Define Water supply
Available water provided to fulfil a particular need
Define Drainage
Emptying something accomplished by allowing liquid to run out of it
Define Stormwater Runoff
Rain and melting snow that flows off building rooftops, driveways, lawns, streets, parking lots, construction sites and industrial storage yards.
Define habitat protection
Safeguarding natural habitats to support species survival and ecological diversity.
Define Water Right
The legal rights of property owners to access and use bodies of water and adjacent to the lands the hold
What are Ecological Goods? 2 examples
Physical benefits obtained from ecosystems eg. fish, plants, water
What are ecological services? 2 examples
Benefits that contributes to the functioning of ecosystems eg. water purification, flood control
Name 3 characteristics of a lake
- Nutrient levels
- Primary production (phytoplankton growth)
- Water clarity
- Dissolved O2 levels
What are the causes of Cultural eutrophication? Name 2
- Land clearing for agriculture or urban development
- Excessive fertilizer runoff
- Discharge from wastewater
What are the causes of cultural eutrophication?
- Land clearing for agriculture or urban development
- Excessive fertilizer runoff
- Discharge from wastewater
What are the consequences of Eutrophication?
- Hypoxia (low oxygen level) leading to dead zones
- Loss of biodiversity
- Harmful algal blooms and toxins affecting water quality
- Economic impacts on fisheries and tourism
Name 3 health challenges in aquatic ecosystems
- Spread of disease
- Mercury in fish
- Blue-Green Algae Blooms
- E.Coli in drinking water
What are the positive effects of Irrigation?
- Increase Food production especially in regions with unreliable rainfall
- Boosts agricultural productivity and food security by allowing farmers to grow crops in dry seasons/areas
- Supports the growth of high-yield crops, which helps meet food demands of growing populations
Negative effects of Irrigation
- Over-reliance leads to water scarcity when resources aren’t managed sustainably
- Excessive irritation leads to waterlogging, damaging crops and reducing soil fertility
- Soil Salinization
Impacts of irrigation on water availability
- Increases overall demand for water especially in water scarce regions
- In areas where water resources are shared like lakes and rivers, overextending irrigation can lead to shortages in areas like drinking or industry
- Unsustainable irrigation practices deplete rivers, lakes and aquifers reducing availability for future generations
What is the cause of soil salinization?
Poor irrigation practises such as over-irrigating or using water with a high salt content
Impact of Irrigation on groundwater:
- Over extraction of groundwater leads to depleted aquifers causing long term shortages
- Groundwater recharge is much slower than extraction, leading to depleted water reserves
What are 3 sustainable irrigation practices?
- Drip Irrigation
- Rainwater Harvesting
- Water Recycling
- Crop Rotation and soil management
- Water pricing and policy
What is point source pollution?
Point source pollution is pollution that comes from a single, identifiable source(e.g. Factory discharge pipe).
What are the effects of Point source pollution
- contaminated drinking water
- health risks from toxins
- bioaccumulation in fish
- high nutrient load
- oil spills.
What is non-point source pollution?
Pollution that comes from diffuse sources, often carried by runoff from land(e.g. Agricultural runoff, urban stormwater).
What are the effects of Non-Point Source pollution?
- water borne diseases
- eutrophication
- increased water treatment costs
Define weathering
The process by which rocks break down into smaller particles due to physical, chemical, or biological factors.
What mechanical forces facilitates physical weathering?
temperature changes, water, and wind.
What is chemical weathering
involves reactions with water, oxygen, acids, and other chemicals that change the mineral composition of the rock.
Define biological weathering
involves living organisms like plants, fungi, and bacteria breaking down rocks through root expansions, or erosion.
What is erosion?
The process by which soil particles are moved from one place to another often by wind, water, or ice. This leads to the loss of topsoil.
What is deposition?
This settling of soil particles carried by wind, water, or ice. This process can form new soil layers in difficult areas and can affect the texture and composition of soil.
What is decomposition?
The breakdown of dead plant and animal material by decomposers like bacteria, fungi, and worms. This contributes to the organic matter of the soil, affecting its fertility and nutrient content.
What does dark brown or black soil indicate?
High organic matter conent
What does red or yellow soil indicate
HIgh iron content
What 3 things determines the texture of soil
the proportion of sand, silt, and clay in soil
What does different soil textures impact?
water retention, root penetration, and nutrient availability.
What are some characteristics of sandy soil?
well-drained, low in nutrients, and fast draining.
What is loamy soil ideal for?
It is ideal for most plant growth as it is a mixture of sand, slit and clay
What are the characteristics of clay soil?
dense, holds water well, but drains slowly, and can be compacted.
What does soil structure refer to?
how soil particles are arranged into aggregate or clumps.
What does good soil structure promote?
air circulation, and water infiltration.
What influences soil structure?
organic material, root activity, and microbial organisms.
For example, decomposing organisms contribute to the formation of aggregate.
Provide an example of how the weathering process can affect soil pH
weathering of silicate minerals can lead to acidic soils, while limestone parent material can produce alkaline soils.
Describe wind erosion
The process by which wind removes the topsoil in dry regions
Where is wind erosion most likely to occur?
Dry, open areas with little vegetation
Describe water erosion
The removal of soil by rain and runoff
What terrain can be susceptible to water erosion?
Areas with steep slopes or intensive farming
What is desertification?
The transformation of fertile lands into desert due to overgrazing, deforestation and climate change
Name 3 consequences of soil degradation
Reduced agricultural productivity
Loss of biodiversity
Increased flooding
economic costs
What are the male reproductive parts of the flower called
The stamen
What are the female reproductive parts of a flower called?
The pistil
What is the main purpose of colourful flowers/petals?
To attract pollinators and facilitate fertilization
