Midterm 1
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Environment
consists of all living and non living things
focus on natural sciences aspects the study of how the natural world works, how the environment effects us and how we. effect it
envi sci
not a scientific study, social movement dedicated to protect the natural world
environmentalism
Biotic
Living, natural, animals and plants, biosphere (one of earths major subsystems)
Abiotic
non living, natural, atmosphere (air) hydrosphere (water), geosphere (land)
Biosphere
All living organisms; plants, animals, microbes… organic matter
Atmosphere
gaseous envelope <100km thick * supports life Nitrogen (N): ~ 78 % Oxygen (O): ~ 21 % Argon (Ar): ~ 0.93 % Carbon dioxide (CO2): ~ 0.035 % Other gases (H2O, ozone…): ~ 0.035 %
Geosphere
rocks, soil, sediments - 30 % of Ea rth’s surface area
the rigid outer part of the earth, consisting of the crust and upper mantle
lithosphere
the technosphere encompasses parts modified by humans interactions of the anthroposphere with other subsystems of earth = environmental systems
anthrosphere
network of relationships between parts/elements/components that interact and function as a unit
system
process of systems move in opposing directions at equivalent rates
dynamic equillibrium
Inexhaustible renewable natural resources
• Sunlight • Wind energy • Wave energy • Geothermal energy
Exhaustible renewable natural resources
• Agricultural crops • Fresh water • Forest products • Soils
Non renewable natural resources
Crude oils * Natural gas * Coal * Copper, aluminum, and other metals
replaced over short periods, replenished within reasonable use
renewable
finite, over long periods, geologic timeframes, supply diminishes with use
non renewable
Ecosystem services
• The purification of water and air • Cycling of nutrients • Recycling water flow • Flood prevention • Reducing erosion
‘Measure of the ability of a system to support life’ -Number of individuals of a particular species that can be sustained by biological productivity of a system
Carrying capacity
Ecological footprint
a method that determines how dependent humans are on natural resources
Biocapacity
the capacity of a country, region or world to produce useful biological materials
Natural Capital
Earth’s accumulated wealth of natural resources and ecosystem services.
a systematic process for learning about the world and testing our understanding of it
science
scientists gather basic info about organisms, materials, and/or systems
descriptive science