week 1 Flashcards
what is carrying capacity?
the limitation of a species’ growth in a specific area, generally due to the availability and abundance of resources.
what is the cyrosphere
ice
what is the biosphere
an area that encompasses the hydrosphere, atmosphere and lithosphere, and all living organims
what is the environment comprised of?
atmosphere
hydrosphere
cryosphere
lithosphere
all the biosphere and the life and non living phenomena that exist within it
what is a greying population
distribution of a population in which a notable % of citizens are older, in comparison to the young/births. will show a boxy ice cream cone like structure
which tyeps of countries have top-heavy distributions or bottom-heavy distributions
Top: more developed countries (notable quality of life, finances and health care)
Bottom: developing countries
what is the demographic transition
the relationship between population size and economy
**relationship between BR and DR
what is phase 1 of the demographic transition
a high equilibrium, where BR=DR
what is phase 2 of the demographic transition
high expanding
a decrease in mortality, high BR w/ declining DR
-common with advanced health care
what is phase 3 of the demographic transition
low expanding
a maintained low DR but BR declines
what is phase 4 of the demographic transition
low equilibrium
low BR and DR are maintained
what is the overall trend that is generally expressed in demographic transition?
a steady population growth pattern, commonly met with higher lvls of consumerism
which countries partake in high energy consumption
those with ample resources, generally developed countries
what is GNP
gross national product
-this measures the value of products that are generated by a country’s citizens. the money generated may come within the county’s borders, or outside the borders, so long the business that is generating money is owned by a citizen.
-further GNP excludes the money generated by any foreign business operating within its borders.
what is GDP
gross domestic product.
the money earned by a country from the products made within countries borders.
Manufacturers may be from foreign or domestic countries
ie. china has production facilities in UAS, which contributes to the USA economy
what is an ecological footprint
the human demand on nature- in terms of the number of resources required to support a person or an economy, as well as the waste generated by the person or economy
are the 5 factors for an environmental collapse
- damage to the environment
2.climate change - hostile neighbors
4.withdrawal from support - the societal response to a problem (environ, social or political)
what is a main cause of climate change
anthropogenic inputs relate to an increased CO2 output. this started during the industrial revolution
what is the predicted global mean sea lvl rise amount by 2100
0.43m-0.84m
what are some implications of climate change
extreme temps and unpredictable weather patterns
longer growing seasons
increase coastal erosion + thawing permafrost
increase in the spread of disease
forced migration (via loss of habitat)
what is sustainable development
that meets the needs of society without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs as well.
what are the 2 components required for sustainable development?
the twin towers
Intergenerational equity: where development must not benefit the now, but harm the future
intergenerational equity: where the benefits of development must be distributed equitably of the current gen
what is a mass extinction
is the rapid decrease in biodiversityacorss the earth and is very rare.
how does mass extinction differ from background extinction?
background extinction is the gradual, slow, and ongoing turnover of pieces (disappearance is a slow manner) where as mass extinction is a rapid increase in the loss of biodiversity (happens very quickly and results in the loss of many species.)
what is the main cause of species extinction?
the arise of new environmental conditions by which a species can no long tolerate, or adapt to other conditions.
what are the three factors that challenge the environment
human population growth
consumption patterns
global climate change
what factors contribute to the carrying capacity of an ecosystem
-food available
-consumption pattern
-whether the climate is changing
-viruses and unexpected events
what is the general shape of a population distribution of a pop with a high birth rate? with a low birth rate?
high BR= pyramid
low Br= cone
what is the purpose of GDP and GNP?
to measure the value of the goods and services of a particular economy
what is collapse
the dramatic decrease in a population (human) size, or political/economical/social complexity over a long period and defined area
how might the social response to a situation lead to a collapse?
1) pop may fail to anticipate that there is a problem
2)when the problem comes the pop may fail to perceive or acknowledge its existence
3) if they perceive it, they may fail to TRY and solve it. may see it as too big of an issue to even try
4) if they try to solve the issue, they may fail in doing so
what is intergenerational equity
the notion that the development of the current generation much not occur at the expense of further generations
intragenerational equity
the idea that the development of the current generation much benefit everyone equitably (to the point that we are treated differently so we can be equal)
acid mine drainage: a positive feedback loop
the low pH of en environment eroded rocks containing heavy metals. the contact of water with heavy metals results in the production of a very string acid that kill many microbes and living orgs
