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En-Science
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74
Environmental Studies
Kindergarten
02/10/2009

Additional Environmental Studies Flashcards

 


 

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Term
Properties of Science
Definition
a. Explaining what our world is like
b. Use Thought, observation, description, and creativity
c. Establish what is true from many choices
Term
Good Science vs. Junk Science
Definition
a. Good Science: Acquisition and explanation of factual knowledge; NOT belief or opinion
i. Follows sound facts and inspected by hundreds of scientists
ii. Without bias, opinion, etc.
b. Junk Science: Selective results, political motivation, internet, distortions of scientific works
Term
Theory
Definition
b. Theory: the over-riding explanation of a natural phenomenon
i. NEAR CERTAINTY
ii. based on rigorous testing with experimental evidence
iii. NOT BEST GUESS
Term
Hypothesis
Definition
a testable idea
Term
Scientific process steps
Definition
a. Develop Question
b. Form Hypothesis
c. Form predictions from hypothesis
d. Test through numerous experiments
e. Reject or fail to reject hypothesis (DO NOT “prove” or “disprove”)
f. Review by many qualified peers
g. Form theories
Term
Is anything proved by science?
Definition
a. Nothing is ever considered to be “proved” through science. A good scientist tries to find something that rejects his/her hypothesis
Term
Current Human population
Definition
a. 6,725,233,088
Term
Kyoto protocal
Definition
a. Treaty to reduce greenhouse gas emissions (1997)
b. 166 nations were involved
c. US withdrew
i. Made a statement that the US isn’t ready for such a step
ii. The sacrifice is great as the US still produces an incredible amount of greenhouse gas
Term
Four parts of a sustainable solution
Definition
a. Economically feasible
b. Socially fair/desirable
c. Ecologically viable
d. Politically Popular
Term
Why arent religion and ethics part of science?
Definition
a. Although religion, ethics, and emotion are important, they cannot be observed objectively.
i. Cannot be fully proven, bias, etc.
Term
Is there controversy in science? Where? What is it based on?
Definition
a. Not if a question has been answered consistently and repeatedly b. Exists when the following exist i. Complex phenomena/difficult to test (Ozon, greenhouse effect) ii. Bias (vested interest , deforestation effects) iii. Subjective values (value, judgments, nuclear power) iv. New Info (ozone, greenhouse effect
Term
Prediction
Definition
beliefs about what will happen under certain conditions based on your hypothesis
Term
Sustainability
Definition
interactions with the natural world to which we should be working; perpetuated indefinitely (doesn’t deplete resources needed to fuel the system)
Term
Stewardship
Definition
An attitude of active care for natural lands; relationship with social justice
Term
Control
Definition
the group of an experiment that is not exposed to the variable
Term
Reasons to Care about environment
Definition
o Aesthetic reasons/rights of all
o Economic Reasons
o Ecological reasons
o Ethical reasons
Term
Easter Island Lessons
Definition
o Deforestation due to the Moai, platforms, and canoes caused extinction (plant and animal), shifts in diet, battles over rescources, soil erosion, overpopulation, and starvation
Term
Islam environmental approach
Definition
humans have responsibility of caring for God’s earthly creations; humans don’t own creation, Holistic
Term
Buddhism approach
Definition
Compassion for living things, harm to one living thing in some way harms all living things.
Term
Hinduism approach
Definition
Reincarnation, Karma (how you treat things will come back to treat you the same way), appreciation of all life
Term
Christianity approach + specific responsibilty
Definition
All things glorify and represent God, humans have dominion not domination -- o To care for God’s Earth, and respect his covenant with all living things, be stewards
Term
Qualities that determine a biome terrestrially
Definition
Climate (rainfall, temp, etc) elevation
Term
Qualities the determine a biome aquatically
Definition
Depth and amount of salt in water
Term
How do we get different biomes in small areas
Definition
Terrain, amount of shade, wind, soil, draining of water
Term
Effects of latitude and elevation of biomes
Definition
Latitude: Distance from equator affects temp.
--Elevation: a higher elevation has a lower temp.
Term
Epipelagic Zone
Definition
1st zone, area of photosynthesis. Extends approx. 200 m below the surface
Term
mesopelagic Zone
Definition
2nd zone, 200-1000 m. enough light for vision (constant twilight)
Term
bathypleagic zone
Definition
3rd zone, 1000-4000 m. completely dark. Limited by food so vertical migration is common
Term
abyssopelagic zone
Definition
4th zone, 4000+ m. completely dark. Limited by food so vertical migration is common
Term
Edge + edge effect
Definition
Abrupt transition between 2 ecosystems, often human-induced; usually short term -- the incredible difference between one ecosystem and the other. Causes: increased species richness, greater resources, unique conditions, predators/non-native species
Term
Ecotone
Definition
smooth transitional region between ecosystems; permanent and natural; may include distinctive plant and animal species
Term
Food web
Definition
very complex, single prey eaten by many predators and likewise
Term
Food Chain
Definition
Single organism at each step; uncommon, only found in simple habitats.
Term
Trophic levels
Definition
the levels of energy consumption--Producer, Primary Consumer, Secondary Consumer, Tertiary Consumer
Term
Energy flow in an ecosystem
Definition
1-5% of energy is captured by autotrophs, energy to heterotrophs through consumption, Detritivore eats waste,
-- Not energy cycle- energy is lost in conversion, heat, waste, reproductions
Term
Photosynthesis equation
Definition
6CO2 + 12 H2O --> C6H12O6 + 6O2 + 6 H2O
Term
respiration equation
Definition
C6H12O6 + 6O2 --> 6CO2 + 6 H2O
Term
Symbiotic relationships
Definition
close relationship between 2 or more organisms; long term
Term
Mutualism
Definition
both organisms benefit; Ants and Aphids
Term
Commensalism
Definition
1 organism benefits, one isnt affected; Clown Fish and Sea anemones
Term
Parasitism
Definition
1 organism benefits, 1 is affected negatively; tapeworms and host
Term
hunter gatherer- neolithic revolution
Definition
12,000 years ago; domestication of animals and farming
Term
Industrial revolution
Definition
-1700s; pollution and population growth; exploitation of natural materials
Term
medical revolution
Definition
late 19th century; extraction of natural materials
Term
Green and Environmental revolutions
Definition
Today; attempts to enact a more sustainable lifestyle; agricultural growth
Term
Ecosystem
Definition
Organisms and the abiotic and biotic components with which they interact
Term
Community
Definition
A group of different plant and animal species that live with each other within an ecosystem
Term
Biotic
Definition
Something that is living or derived from living things
Term
abiotic
Definition
things that are not living and are independent from living things
Term
biome
Definition
A group of ecosystems that are catagorized by their similarities in climate and plant/animal species
Term
estuary
Definition
the point where fresh water meets salt water
Term
autotroph
Definition
organism makes its own food
Term
heterotroph
Definition
organism consumes organic material as a supply of energy
Term
frugivore
Definition
heterotrophs that consume fruit as their main source of energy
Term
nectarivore
Definition
heterotrophs that consume nectar as their main source of energy
Term
Granivore
Definition
heterotrophs that consume grain/seeds as their main source of energy
Term
omnivore
Definition
heterotrophs that consume both plants and animals as their source of energy
Term
herbivore
Definition
heterotrophs that consume plant material as their main source of energy
Term
vermivore
Definition
heterotrophs that consume worms and the like as their main source of energy
Term
haemivore
Definition
heterotrophs that consume blood as their main source of energy
Term
carnivore
Definition
heterotrophs that consume meat as their main source of energy
Term
piscivore
Definition
heterotrophs that consume fish as their main source of energy
Term
detritivore
Definition
consume decomposing material as their main source of energy
Term
detritus
Definition
decomposing organic material and waste
Term
foraging guild
Definition
Group of heterotrophs that find food through common ways
Term
mycorrhizae
Definition
fungi that grows in a symbiotic relationship with trees. grows on roots and allows for extra nutrients to be accumulated
Term
What happens at each trophic level (10% rule) and what happens to most energy?
Definition
10% of energy is assimilated at each stage and the rest is lost through respiration, waste and other activities; very inefficient – results in “biomass pyramid”
Term
Carbon Cycle
Definition
Photosynthesis and respiration cycle + aquatic/terrestrial cycle + human use cycle -- Carbon lost through decomposition into fossil fuels over time; humans return carbon by burning fossil fuels (not inherently a bad thing, but bad because of the rate it is being done)
Term
Nitrogen cycle
Definition
N gas -> fixing producers (legumes) -> cell respiration -> nitrogenous waste -> soil -> bacteria -> atmosphere OR  Gas -> industrial fixation -> fertilizer -> non-legume crops -> animals -> waste -> soil, bacteria, atmosphere
Term
What happens to lost carbon?
Definition
Carbon lost through decomposition into fossil fuels over time
Term
How do human-altered ecosystems differ from more natural ecosystems (cycling versus unidirectional flow)
Definition
A human-altered ecosystem eliminates the possibility of recycling, excessive use of fertilizers, production and use of nonbiodegradable compounds, and overcharge of nutrients in aquatic ecosystems
Term
What is the importance of bacteria in the cycles?
Definition
Bacteria converts Nitrogen into ammonium which plants can use to build amino acids
Term
nitrogen fixation
Definition
the process of chemically converting Nitrogen gas from the air into other compounds like nitrates (NO3) and ammonia (NH3)
Term
denitrification
Definition
a process through which bacteria reduces oxidized nitrogen compounds in soil back to nitrogen gas in the atmosphere
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