Intro Flashcards
What is environmental science?
• it’s NOT environmental activism
• it’s Ecology: the study of organisms and how they interact with the environment around them. How humans affect the environment and address issues (Economics and political issues from using natural resources)
A interdisciplinary study.
What is a renewable natural resource?
Resources that are naturally replenished over short periods of time.
Ex. Sunlight, fresh water
What are non-renewable natural resources?
Resources that take a long time to replenish.
Ex. Topsoil, fossil fuels
How should natural resources be used?
At a sustainable rate - one that replaces what’s used at the same rate. Environmental scientists help us with this.
What are the 2 major events that changed the course of human history and how we interact with natural resources?
- The agricultural revolution: from hunter-gatherer to communities raising livestock and planting crops.
- The Industrial Revolution: production of machinery allowed for advances in medicine, agriculture, and other technologies.
What’d the agricultural and Industrial Revolution lead to?
Increases in human life spans, health, and the human population overall.
What is the challenge that arose from increases in the human population?
Using resources in an unsustainable way.
What are constructive forces?
Forces that build up an existing landform or create a new one.
What are destructive forces?
Forces that lower or tear down the surface features of earth.
What are some common tools used by earth scientists?
Binoculars, compass, wind vane, anemometer, streak plate.
What are binoculars used for?
Enable people to view faraway objects more clearly.
What is a compass used for?
Instrument that shows magnetic North.
What is a wind vane used for?
Device that rotates to show the direction of the wind.
What is a anemometer used for?
Tool used to measure the speed and force of wind.
What is a streak plate used for?
Piece of hard, unglazed porcelain that helps identify minerals.
How do earth scientists collect data?
Analytical study, field study, theoretical study, experimental study, modeling study
What is an analytical study?
Examining large amounts of data to reveal hidden patterns, unknown correlations, and other useful information.
What is a field study?
The observation and study of natural settings outside.
What is a theoretical study?
The examination of a set of beliefs and assumptions. Can use models.
What is an experimental study?
To support or refute a hypothesis or determine the probability of something untried.
What is a modeling study?
The generation of a physical, conceptual, or mathematical representation of a real phenomenon that is difficult to observe directly.
Why do earth scientists use different types of studies?
To gain a comprehensive understanding of geological processes, climate patterns and changes. These methods provide unique insights and contribute to a holistic understanding of earth.
When investigating scientific issues, earth scienctists utilize the following systems:
- Boundaries
- Inputs
- Outputs
- Feedback loop
What do boundaries, inputs, outputs, and feedback loops allow?
Helps to understand the complexity and interconnectedness of natural processes.
What are boundaries?
Outlined limits or borders that define the extent and scope of a specific geological or environmental system under study.
What are inputs?
External factors or materials that enter a system and influence its behaviour, processes, or composition.
What are outputs?
The results, products, or effects that are produced or released by a geological or environmental system and impact it’s surroundings or other components of the earth system.
The results of inputs.
What is a feedback loop?
Show how a system responds to change.
(+) amplifies changes, while (-) mitigated them, maintaining stability.
What is the benefit of feedback loops?
Helps predict how a system might react to disturbances or human interventions.
Why do earth scientists utilize these systems?
Develops comprehensive understanding of natural phenomena.
Assess potential impacts.
Helps make informed decisions about managing earths resources and addressing environmental changes.
What are the 5 spheres of earth?
• atmosphere
• lithosphere/geosphere
• biosphere
• hydrospeheee
• cryosphere
What is the lithosphere?
The solid shell of earth. That means the crust, plus the part of the upper mantle.
Ex. Rocks, minerals, soil
What are the earths interior layers?
- Crust
- Mantle
- Outer core
- Inner core
What is the hydrosphere?
Hydro means “water”. 97% of water on earth is found in the oceans.
Ex. Oceans, rivers, lakes, glaciers, water vapour in the air
What is the biosphere?
Made up of all the living things on Earth. The living portion of the Earth.
Ex. Plants and animals
What is the atmosphere?
Gassed that surrounds our plant. It keeps us warm, gives us oxygen to breath, and it is where our weather happens.
Ex. Nitrogen and oxygen.
What is the cryosphere?
The frozen portion of the hydrosphere. Some scientists consider it to be a separate sphere.
