Studying Environmental Science Flashcards
What is Environmental Science?
Interdisciplinary
Broad Perspective
A scientific approach to understanding the world
Interdisciplinary
Draws on diverse disciplines, skills, and interests
A broad perspective
No boundaries; Global system of interdependent societies
A scientific approach to understanding the world
- ecosystems
- biogeochemical cycles
- biomes
- climate
- biodiversity
- ecological services
- biological communities
Methods of Environmental Science
Observation
Scientific Method
Quantitative Reasoning
Uncertainty
Critical and Analytical Thinking
Observation
The first step in understanding
Details and evaluation of factors involved
Scientific Method
Orderly approach to asking questions
rigor and discipline
Quantitative Reasoning
How to compare and interpret data
perceive what they show about relevant problems
Experimental Design
Natural: Observation of events that already happened
Manipulative: Conditions deliberately altered and all variables held constant
Controlled study
comparing a treatment (exposed) group with a control (unexposed) group
Blind Experiments
Not knowing which group is treated until during analysis; used to prevent researcher bias
Uncertainty
Knowing limits to our knowledge
Can improve confidence on what we know
Critical and Analytical Thinking
Examining what you think and why you think it
Acknowledging uncertainty
Possible sources of uncertainty
Measurement Error
Sampling Error
Model Error
Measurement Error
Difference between measured variable and its true quantity
