Mocks cramming - topic 1 Flashcards
System components (4)
- inputs
- outputs
- flows
- stores
The second law of thermodynamics
the entropy of an isolated system not in equilibrium will tend to increase over time.
positive feedback loops
Change a system to a new state.
Destabilizing as they increase change.
(eg. albedo effect)
negative feedback loops
Return it to its original state.
Stabilizing as they reduce change.
eg. The accelerated formation of clouds as a result of temperature increase
Natural income
Natural income is the yield (amount/volume) obtained from natural resources.
This is not an amount of money.
Natural Capital
Natural capital are natural resources that can supply a natural income of goods or services. (e.g., water, wood, energy)
This is not a store of money.
Ecological Footprint
The impact of a person or community on the environment, expressed as the amount of land required to sustain their use of natural resources. (e.g., acres/person)
Biocapacity
Biological capacity of an ecosystem is an estimate of its production of certain biological materials such as natural resources, and its absorption and filtering of other materials such as carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.
Pollution descriptors
- non-point or point source,
- persistent or biodegradable,
- acute or chronic.
DDT
- a persistent organic pollutant (POP). Once sprayed in an ecosystem it is absorbed by the soil. Due to the fact that DDT is a POP it is not broken down.
- an organochloride insecticide that is colourless, tasteless and odourless
- It was found to be a highly effective in controlling malaria and typhus during World War II and it was made available for agricultural purposes after the war.
Ecocentric EVS
- Integrates social, spiritual and environmental dimensions into an holistic ideal.
- Ecology and nature are central to humanity
- Emphasises a less materialistic approach to life with greater self-sufficiency of societies.
- prioritises biorights (a matter of morals)
Technocentric EVS
- argues that technological developments can provide solutions to environmental problems.
- Scientific research is encouraged in order to form policies and to understand how systems can be controlled, manipulated or changed to solve resource depletion.
- A pro-growth agenda is deemed necessary for society’s improvement.
Anthropocentric
- humans must sustainably manage the global system.
^taxes, environmental regulation and legislation. - Debate would be encouraged to reach a consensual, pragmatic approach to solving environmental problems.
intrinsic value
nature has value in its own right, independent of human uses
4 spheres
lithosphere: the rocks and minerals that form the solid body of the Earth
atmosphere: the layer of air surrounding the Earth’s surface
hydrosphere: water on and near the Earth’s surface
biosphere/ecosphere: the layer of living organisms of which humans are part
open system
An open system exchanges matter and energy with its surroundings (for example, an ecosystem).
closed system
A closed system exchanges energy but not matter
Application of 2nd law of thermodynamics
Entropy is a measure of disorder of a system and it refers to the spreading out or dispersal of energy.
More entropy = less order.
Over time, all differences in energy in the universe will be evened out until nothing can change.
Energy conversions are never 100% efficient.
When energy is used to do work, some energy is always dissipated (lost to the environment) as waste heat.
So as energy is dispersed to the environment, there will always be a reduction in the amount of energy passed on to the next trophic level.
steady-state equilibrium
there are no long-term changes, but there may be small fluctuations in the short term, e.g., in response to weather changes, and the system will return to its previous equilibrium condition following the removal of the disturbance.
tipping point
a critical threshold within a system
If a tipping point is reached, any further small change in the system will have significant knock-on effects and cause the system to move away from its average state (away from the equilibrium)
1st law of thermodynamics
energy cannot be created or destroyed; it can only be converted from one form to another
negative feedback loop example
- The accelerated formation of clouds as a result of temperature increase
positive feedback loop example
albedo effect
- rising temperatures
- ice melts
- lower albedo
- less light/heat reflected
- rising temperatures
sustainability
the use and management of resources that allows full natural replacement of the resources exploited and full recovery of the ecosystems affected by their extraction and use.
ecosystem goods
They are physical items, e.g. timber, fibre, food, minerals.
can be renewable or non-renewable
ecosystem services
life-supporting services such as water replenishment, flood and erosion protection.
biocapacity
biological capacity of an area/region/country to generate the resources and absorb the wastes of a given population.
Environmental impact assessments (EIA)
a report prepared before a development project to change the use of land. For example, to plant a forest or convert fields to a golf course.
mitigation
reduction of negative impacts
the process by which project proponents apply measures to avoid, minimize, or compensate for the adverse effects and environmental impacts resulting from their projects.
pollution definition
the addition of a substance or an agent to an environment through human activity, at a rate greater than that at which it can be rendered harmless by the environment
pollution descriptors (4x2)
non-point / point source,
persistent / biodegradable,
acute / chronic
primary (active on emission) / secondary (arising from primary pollutants undergoing physical or chemical change).
