Unit 2 Test: Chapter 1 Flashcards
Environmental Science
the study of how the natural world works, how the environment affect- us, and how we affect it.
- focuses on the science part not political
Natural Sciences
A science which examines the systems of life.
Social Sciences
A science which address human interactions and institutions.
Environmental Studies
A study which focus more on the social sciences aspect.
- politically based
What is Environmentalism?
Social movement dedicated to protecting the natural world.
- politically based
How do Environmental scientists gather data?
- descriptive science
- hypothesis driven-science
Descriptive Science
Scientists gather basic information about organisms, materials, or systems.
Hypothesis driven-science
- Deeper explanations of how and why things work
- Experiments test hypotheses within a framework called the scientific method.
Renewable Natural Resources
can replenish over short periods of time.
Nonrenewable Natural Resources
are limited in supply
- they form far more slowly than we use them.
inexhaustible resources
a resource that never runs out or gets depleted.
- ex: wind, sun, solar energy, etc.
exhaustible resources
A renewable resource which is very limited and easily get finished, it replenishes over months, weeks, and years.
- fresh water, soil, etc.
Ecosystem services
naturally occuring services
- EX: purification of water and air, cycling of nutrients, recycling water flow, flood prevention, and reducing erosion.
Ecological Footprint
expresses this consumption
by the area of land and water
needed to provide the
resources a person
consumes or the waste they
generate.
Overshoot
when human demand exceeds the regenerative capacity of a natural ecosystem
