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Envi
Envi Review Slides
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Environmental Science | Study of both abiotic and biotic factors Both the natural and the built environment Often interested in systems, such as the carbon, water, or phosphorous cycle |
| Empiricism | We can learn about the world by careful observation of empirical (real, observable) phenomena; we can expect to understand fundamental processes and natural laws by observation |
| Uniformitarianism | Basic patterns and processes are uniform across time and space; the forces at work today are the same as those that shaped the world in the past, and they will continue to do so in the future |
| Parsimony | When two plausible explanations are equally reasonable, the simpler (more parsimonious) one is preferable. This rule is also known as Ockham's razor, after the English philosopher who proposed it |
| Uncertainty | Knowledge changes as new evidence appears, and explanations (theories) change with new evidence. Theories based on current evidence should be tested on additional evidence, with the understanding that new data may disprove the best theories |
| Repeatability | Tests and experiments should be repeatable; if the same results cannot be reproduced, then the conclusions are probably incorrect |
| Proof is elusive | We rarely expect science to provide absolute proof that a theory is correct, because new evidence may always undermine our current understanding |
| Testable question | To find out whether a theory is correct, it must be tested; we formulate testable statements (hypotheses) to test theories |
| Independent/ Dependent variable | Also called explanatory/response variables |
| Independent variable | The cause |
| Dependent variable | The effect |
| Atoms | All elements are composed of atoms |
| Atomic number | Total number of protons in an atom |
| Number of protons in the nucleus | Define what element it is |
| Mass Number | Total # of protons and neutrons in nucleus |
| Average atomic mass | Average weight of atoms of an element |
| Isotopes | Elements that exist in different forms (more neutrons) Same atomic number, different mass numbers Different mass |
| 4 building blocks of life, all are organic molecules | Carbohydrates Lipids Proteins Nucleic Acids |
| First law of Thermodynamics | energy can neither be created nor destroyed |
| Second law of Thermodynamics | the entropy of the universe will increase over time |
| Lamarck theory of evolution | species change over their lifetime and offspring inheritthose changes |
| Darwin theory of evolution | species inherit traits from their ancestors, and organisms with traits better suited to their environment are more likely to survive |
| Natural Selection | Individuals with certain genetic traits are more likely to survive and reproduce under a specific set of environmental conditions |
| Productivity of Biomes | Varies greatly by biome Biomes can change slowly over time or rapidly because of human influence |
| Species Interactions | Herbivory Predation Parasitism Symbiosis Commensalism |
| Herbivory | An animal (the herbivore) consumes all or part of a plant, benefitting the herbivore at the plant's expense |
| Predatory species | A relationship where one organism, the predator, hunts and kills another organism, the prey, for food |
| Parasitism | One organism, the parasite, benefits at the expense of another organism, the host |
| Symbiosis | A close, long term interaction between two different species |
| Commensalism | One species benefits, while the other is neither helped nor harmed. |
| Species descriptors | Generalist versus specialist, Mullerian versus Batesian mimicry |
| Generalist vs Specialist | Generalist species can thrive in a wide variety of environments, using multiple food sources and tolerating broad conditions, while specialist species are adapted to a narrow ecological niche with specific needs for food or habitat |
| Mullein vs Bayesian mimicry | Müllerian mimicry- two or more dangerous species share similar warning signals, benefiting all species by pooling cost of educating predators. Batesian mimicry involves harmless/ edible species (the mimic) evolving, resemble dangerous species |
| Keystone species | A species that has a disproportionately large impact on its ecosystem relative to its abundance |
| Ecosystem engineer | A species that creates new habitats through its interactions with the environment |
| Apex predators | those at the highest trophic level, meaning they have no natural predators |
| Trophic levels | stratifications of which organisms eat which organisms |
| Trophic cascades | indirect interactions that can control entire ecosystems |
| Ecological role of Wolves | Loss of a carnivore (e.g., apex predator) may allow herbivores to proliferate, which may reduce the vegetation |
| Reproductive Patterns Chart: r | Small Organisms, energy used to make each offspring is low, many offspring produced, early maturity, short life expectancy |
| Reproductive Patterns Chart: K | Large Organisms, energy used to make each offspring is high, few offspring are produced, late maturity, long life expectancy |
| Survivor ship curves | Type 1: High rate of survival, most reach maturity, most survive to old age Type 2: Constant rate of loss throughout the lifespan Type 3: most individuals die off and do not make it to maturity |
| Environmental toxicology | Humans might be exposed to a variety of toxins in our daily lives |
| Underestimations of risk | Voluntary Trusted source controlled Observable Delayed effects Common, non-catastrophic |
| Overestimations of risk | Involuntary Non-trusted source controlled Unobservable Immediate effects Rare, catastrophic |
| Views on Population | Malthusian Neomalthusian Capabilities Approach (Sen) Conucopianism (Boserup) Women’s rights Demographic Transition Mode |
| Demographic Transition model | Multi-stage model that describes population growth over time Based on European patterns of population growth and development from 1800 until present Considers the changes in birth and death rates through stages of economic development |
| 2 billion people suffer from nutrient deficiencies | Vitamin A Iron Iodine B12 |
| Trawling | dragging a large net along seafloor |
| Purse seine fishing | catch surface-dwelling species |
| Long lining | lines with baited hooks – swordfish, tuna, sharks, halibut, cod |
| Aquaculture | Suggested as a solution to depleting wild populations Growing in popularity as demand for seafood grows Waste buildup, disease, and dead zones are a problem |
| Dolphin Safe Tuna | Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972 The Medina panel- safety panels inserted where porpoises are most likely to come in contact with the net Dolphin safe Tuna label after consumer boycotts |
| Green revolution | Norman Borlaug considered founder, received Nobel Peace Prize Technologies increased yields from one plot of land Reduced food prices in many areas of the globe Decreases land needed to grow same amount of food Breeding disease resistance into plants |
| Green Revolution downsides | Lack of biodiversity and risk of catastrophic failure Reduces quality of soil over time Pesticides and fertilizers are necessary Not sustainable in its current form |
| Soil | complex mixture of rock pieces, particles, mineral nutrients, decaying organic matter, water, air, and living organisms that support plant and animal life |
| Sand | high permeability of water |
| Clay | Low permeability of water |
| Loam | Loam – well-suited for plant growth because it allows water to pass through 40% sand, 40% silt, 20% clay |
| Soil Erosion | Pesticide and fertilizer use kill organisms that help hold soil together, No-till farming and planting cover crops reduce soil erosion |
| Soil loss not inevitable | Solutions to soil loss also conserve other nutrients Reduce nutrient loads in waterways Prairie strips are a great solution, particularly for Midwest farms No-till farming Contour farming & terracing Cover crops Agroforestry |
| Organophospates | Most commonly used pesticide Highly water soluble |
| Chlorinated hydrocarbons | Includes atrazine and DDT Fat-soluble & bioaccumulate |
| Neonicotinoids | Chemical structure similar to nicotine Water soluble |
| Integrated pest management | Crops and pests are evaluated as parts of an ecosystem This includes: Biological controls Cultivation controls (altering planting times) Possibly applying small amounts of pesticides |
| Local food movement | Local food movement to buy food grown in a more environmentally friendly and ethical manner Fairly recent trend in US after decades of farm consolidation |
| Locavore | coin termed in 2005 with the idea that people should only eat food grown within 100 miles of where they live |
| Department of Environmental Conservation | Has a lot of functions, including education for students of a variety of ages: Project Learning Tree Project WET Project WILD |
| Forest Transition Theory | Initial population growth and development in an area will cause deforestation but forests will recover after people migrate and economies change, A graph of forest cover over time will be U shaped |
| Aldo Leopold | Professor, Writer, pioneer of restoration ecology Leopold embodied an “ecocentric” worldview Ecological concerns should come before human concerns |
| Leopold's land ethic | Argues something is “right” if it promotes healthy ecosystem functioning, and wrong when it does not Based on the field of ecology, the study of the interactions between organisms and their environment |
| National Park Service | Current scope 85 million acres (60% in Alaska) protected in US 428 units, 63 of which are called “national parks |
| History of parks in the US | Yellowstone was the first national park est. 1872, followed by units in Australia and New Zealand NPS was formed in 1916, after Parks Canada in 1911 Parks first established for tourism and later for other reasons like biological diversity |
| Policy | Enabling legislation is the Organic Act of 1916 that set a dual mandate and mission Agency is housed in the Department of Interior |
| Bureau of Land Management Current Scope | Manages nearly 250 M acres (1/8 of country’s landmass) |
| Mission is similar to NPS ut focused on multi use and resource extraction | Sustains the health, diversity, & productivity of public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations Housed in the Department of Interior |
| Primary functions of the agency | Timber Mineral leasing and energy production (i.e., coal, oil, renewables) Horses and burros Recreation |
| US forest service Current scope | 154 National Forests covering 193 M acres (8.5% of US land) 20 National Grasslands covering ~ 4 M acres |
| Mission of the US Forest Service | Sustains the health, diversity, and productivity of the Nation’s forests and grasslands to meet the needs of present & future generations |
| Multiple use and sustained Yield Act | Balances timber, grazing, wildlife & fish, outdoor recreation, and watershed management |
| Political and historical context | Agency within US Department of Agriculture (USDA) Forests vary in size and were formed differently in the east versus west |
| US Fish and Wildlife Service- Current scope | 560 National Wildlife Refuges cover 150 M acres Primary focus on wildlife Federal duck stamp program & Landscape Conservation Cooperatives also under jurisdiction |
| Mission of the USFWS | Conserves, protects and enhances fish, wildlife, and plants and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people |
| Enforces 1973 Endangered Species Act | Proposes plant and animals for listing as “endangered” or “threatened” and develop recovery plans |
| Division of Lands and Forests in DEC | Owns 13% of NY land (4 million acres) Also manages recreation rights on conservation easement land |
| Deforestation | 24 million acres of forest are lost each year (4/5 of New York) |
| Overfishing | all major fishing stocks are facing collapse Global fish consumption is outpacing population growth |
| Wildlife poaching | Wildlife poaching Rhinos, elephants, tigers especially vulnerable |
| Invasive species | Zebra mussels, kudzu vine |
| Climate change | rising temperatures threaten sensitive species like coral reefs |
| Provisioning Services | Food, Fresh Water, fuelwood, fiber, biochemicals, genetic resources |
| Regulating services | Climate regulation, disease regulation, water regulation, water purification, pollination |
| Cultural Services | Spiritual and religious, recreation, ecotourism, aesthetic, inspirational, educational, sense of place, cultural heritage |
| Supporting Services | Ecosystem Functions, Nutrient Cycling, Evolution, Soil Formation, Spatial Structure, Primary Production |
| Endangered Species Act | Administered by U.S Fish and Wildlife Service and National Marine Fisheries Service |
| Endangered | in immediate danger of extinction |
| Threatened | likely to become endangered |
| Vulnerable | naturally rare or have decreased in population because of human activities |
| Protection for noble creaturs | Example: protection of individual dolphins rather than ocean ecosystemsMost ESA money goes to charismatic species like condors and grizzly bear No concern over protection of the dolphin’s food source |
| Restoration Ecology | We can restore a variety of ecosystems, from rivers to prairies to coral reefs But often not to the exact way it was before,Prescribed burns Dam removal Captive breeding programs Bioremediation |
| Preservation | protecting pristine wilderness from human impacts |
| Restoration | returning a degraded habitat or ecosystem to a condition as close as possible to its original one |
| Reconciliation ecology | Invent and maintain habitats for species diversity where people live, work, and play Maintaining both human activities and ecosystem services such as biodiversity Humans allowed to access and use resources |
| Community based conservation | Pollinator gardens Nesting boxes Green roofs |
| Layers of Earth | Inner core is solid; outer layers are liquid |
| Sedimentary | Formed when sediments are compacted(ex: Sandstone) |
| Metamorphic | Forms when other rocks are transformed (Ex: Marble) |
| Igneous | Formed when lava or magma solidifies (Ex: Basalt) |
| From Alfred Wegner’s Continental drift theory to plate tectonics | Continental versus Oceanic crust |
| Atmosphere and the greenhouse effect | 78% nitrogen, 21% oxygen Greenhouse gases trap infrared radiation |
| Clouds | can reflect incoming radiation and trap outgoing |
| Albedo | reflectiveness of surface (consider ice versus asphalt) Landcover type Urban heat island effect |
| Mitigation | Reducing the amount of greenhouse gases, by reducing emissions and/or increasing absorption capacity |
| Adaptation | Learn to live with future global climatic change Recognize that climate change is inevitable because we have waited too long to act |
| PM | Particulate Matter |
| SO2 | Sulfur Dioxide |
| CO | Carbon Monoxide |
| NO2 | Nitrous Oxide |
| O2 | Dioxygen gas |
| Lead | Lead |
| Temperature inversions | Warmer air traps cooler air close to the ground |
| Solutions to Air Pollution | Using less energy overall Technologies like catalytic converters Emission-free renewable energies Encourage public transportation over personal car use Better fuel efficiency standards on cars |
| What impacts precipitation | Atmospheric currents Proximity to water Rain shadow effect |
| Overuse of Aquifers | Many aquifers are a “non-renewable resource” in that they won’t recharge within our lifetime at the rate we use them |
| Desalination | Distillation versus reverse osmosis |
| Water Pollution | any physical, biological, or chemical change in water quality that adversely affects living organisms or makes water unsuitable for desired uses |
| Clean Water Act | Political action to clean up water after Cuyahoga River Fire Clean Water Act passed in 1972 Goal to make all waters fishable, swimmable, and drinkable by 1985 Over 50% of rivers in the US are still classified as impaired |
| Work | application of force over a distance measured in joules |
| Energy | capacity to do work |
| Power | rate of energy flow |
| Watt | 1 J/s |
| Coal | Originates from the “carboniferous period” 286-360 mya Key to fueling the Industrial Revolution Different grades, with anthracite coal containing the most concentrated carbon and fewest volatile compounds like sulfur Coal distributed evenly across earth |
| Oil | Highly integrated into transportation system Predictions of peak oil faltered as we find new ways of extracting oil Coal is derived from vegetation in peat swaps, oil comes from marine algae and plankton Expansion of supplies by fracking tar sands |
| Natural Gas | Mostly methane (CH4) Unlike coal, not evenly distributed Our supplies of it are also expanded by fracking |
| Biomass | Using plant material for energy, biomass sources regenerate during our lifetimes For people in many countries, burning material derived from plants remains a dominant fuel source Can contribute to deforestation and habitat degradation |
| Wind Power | Drastic increase it the power of wind turbines over the past 20 years 1 single large turbine can generate enough electricity for 3000 homes Increased interest in offshore wind but onshore is vastly more popular |
| Geothermal | Incredible heat located below the Earth’s surface\ |
| Energy Storage options | Lithium ion batteries (come with environmental costs of mining) Pumped hydro storage from another energy source Hydrogen fuel cells (hydrogen vehicles in operation such as trains) Molten sodium Compressed air storage |
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