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The total number of individuals of the same species living and interbreeding in a given area is called a ______.
population
The hierarchical structure illustrating the organization of living things begins with the ______ as the largest level.
biosphere
Ecologists study organisms at the ______ level to understand individual physiological interactions.
individual
The collection of populations interacting in a specific area is known as a ______.
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Ecologists believe that each organism in an environment is connected through an ______.
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Population density is defined as the number of individuals per unit area or unit ______.
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Natality refers to the addition of organisms to a population through ______.
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Mortality is the loss of organisms from a population due to ______.
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Emigration is the loss of organisms from a population due to movement ______ the area.
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Immigration adds organisms to a population due to movement from one location to ______.
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An environmental factor that restricts the growth and distribution of a population is known as a ______.
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Population distribution is determined by both biotic and ______ factors.
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Environmental science incorporates science, economics, ethics, and ______ in finding solutions to environmental problems.
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The spatial distribution of individuals in a population is referred to as ______.
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Atmospheric science covers the processes of the atmosphere and its effects on ______ systems.
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In a clumped pattern of dispersion, individuals are ______ together.
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Ecology focuses on the relationships between ______ and their environment.
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A regular pattern of dispersion means individuals are ______ out evenly.
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A regional approach to environmental issues is more suitable due to the ______ nature of many problems.
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Atmospheric science includes related fields such as meteorology, climatology, and ______.
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When individuals move into a population, it is referred to as ______.
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The maximum reproductive capacity of a species in ideal conditions is known as ______.
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Natural calamities like earthquakes and floods are examples of factors that contribute to ______.
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The movement of individuals out of a population is called ______.
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Carrying capacity refers to the ability of the environment to ______ and maintain a certain level of population.
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Population distribution is influenced by both biotic and ______ factors.
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Atmospheric science covers fields such as meteorology, climatology, and ______.
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In a ______ dispersion pattern, individuals are clustered together due to the availability of resources.
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Ecology is the study of the relationships between organisms and their ______.
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In a ______ dispersion pattern, organisms are evenly spaced, often due to competition for resources.
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Environmental chemistry focuses on chemical changes in the ______.
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Random distribution of organisms is characterized by ______ spacing among individuals.
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Geosciences involve the scientific study of the Earth's ______.
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The spatial relationships between individuals in a population are referred to as ______.
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The term 'biomass' refers to the total ______ of organisms in a given area.
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Attitudes towards resources assuming an infinite supply is called ______.
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A sustainable ethic treats the Earth's resources as ______.
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The anthropocentric perspective measures value solely by its impact on ______.
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Humans must conserve and share Earth's resources with other ______.
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Environmental ethics considers the moral basis of environmental ______.
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The scientific study on the Earth's crust is known as ______.
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In environmental ethics, standards of conduct help in distinguishing between behaviors that are considered right or ______.
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Ethics plays a crucial role in determining which forms of conduct are morally ______ and unacceptable.
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Changing the ethics of an entire society requires altering the individual ethics of a ______ of the population.
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Attitudes towards resources assume that the Earth has ______ resources.
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Environmental science is an interdisciplinary field that includes both scientific and ______ aspects of human impact on the world.
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The word 'environment' usually means the surrounding conditions that affect ______.
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John Muir captured the theme of interconnectedness by saying, 'Tug on anything at all and you'll find it ______ to everything else in the universe.'
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Environmental science studies the science of physical phenomena in the ______.
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In a broader definition, environment is everything that affects an organism during its ______.
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Study Notes
Population
- The total number of individuals of the same species living and interbreeding in a given area.
- Population size is determined by four primary factors: natality, immigration, mortality, and emigration.
Levels of Biological Organization
- A hierarchical structure illustrating the organization of living things, from the biosphere to cells.
Levels of Interaction
- Individual Level: Studies how organisms react individually in a physiological manner
- Population Level: Examines the interactions of organisms of the same species
- Communities: Analyzes the collection of populations at a given locality
- Ecosystem: Focuses on the interconnectedness of all living organisms in an environment
Population Density
- The number of individuals per unit area or volume
- It's a measure of population size
Population Size
- The total number of individuals in a population
- Examples include people, dogs, trees, roses, and tilapia
Natality
- The addition of organisms to a population through reproduction
- Influences population density
Immigration
- The addition of organisms to a population by movement from another location.
Mortality
- The loss of organisms from a population due to death
- Decreases population density
Emigration
- The loss of organisms from a population due to movement out of the area
- Has the same effect on population size as mortality
Population Growth Factors
- Births and immigration increase population size
- Deaths and emigration decrease population size
Biotic Potential
- The maximum reproductive capacity of a species in ideal conditions
- Ideal conditions include no predators, unlimited nutrients, and unlimited space.
Environmental Resistance
- The sum of factors that prevent a population from reaching its biotic potential.
- These factors include:
- Natural calamities (e.g., earthquakes, floods)
- Wars and terrorism
- Limited food availability
- Predation
- Disease
- Competition
Carrying Capacity
- The capacity of the environment to support and maintain a certain level of population under ideal conditions
Population Distribution
- Describes where organisms are found on Earth
- Determined by biotic and abiotic factors
- Considers the spatial relationships of individuals, called dispersion.
- Spatial distribution of organisms is called dispersion
Dispersion
- Describes the spatial distribution of individuals within a population
- Three general patterns:
- Clumped (aggregated): individuals clustered together
- Regular (uniform): individuals spaced consistently apart
- Random: individuals spaced unpredictably
Limiting Factor
- An environmental factor that restricts the growth and distribution of a population within an ecosystem
Environmental Science
- An interdisciplinary field focused on the scientific and social aspects of human impact on the world.
- Includes science, economics, ethics, and politics.
Components of Environmental Science
- Atmospheric Sciences
- Ecology
- Environmental Chemistry
- Geosciences
Atmospheric Science
- A broad field covering the atmosphere's processes, its effects on other systems, and the effects of other systems on the atmosphere
- Includes meteorology, climatology, and aeronomy.
Ecology
- Studies the relationships between organisms and their environment.
- Considers diversity, distribution, biomass, population numbers, and competition between organisms.
Environmental Chemistry
- A scientific discipline focused on the chemical changes in the environment.
- Principal areas covered are soil contamination and water pollution.
Geosciences
- A scientific study of the Earth's crust that includes environmental geology, environmental soil science, volcanic phenomena, and hydrology (like oceanography).
Attitudes Towards Resources
- Frontier ethic assumes an infinite supply of resources.
- It is anthropocentric, valuing resources solely for human needs.
Sustainable Ethic
- Treats the Earth's resources as limited
- Assumes humans must use and conserve resources for future use.
- Earth has a limited supply of resources.
- Humans must conserve resources and share them.
- Humans are part of nature and are affected by natural laws.
Ethical Perspectives
- Anthropocentric (Human Centered):
- Protects and promotes human interests at the expense of other factors.
- Emphasizes short-term benefits, disregarding long-term consequences.
- Value is measured solely by its impact on humans.
- Anything that does not benefit humans is considered worthless.
- Environmental Ethics:
- Considers the moral basis of environmental responsibility.
- Seeks a balance between human needs and the preservation of the environment.
- Biocentric Ethic:
- Places value on all living things, not just humans.
- Recognizes the intrinsic worth of all organisms.
- Ecocentric Ethic:
- Values the whole ecosystem, including all living and non-living components.
- Emphasizes the interconnectedness of all things.
- Deep Ecology:
- Calls for a radical shift in human consciousness, recognizing the inherent value of all life.
- Advocates for a profound connection with nature and a reduction in human impact on the environment.
Ethical Standards of Conduct
- Distinguish between behaviors that are considered right or wrong.
- Right or wrong are usually determined by an individual's morals.
- Changing the ethics of an entire society requires changing the morals of a majority of its people.
Ethics (Definition)
- The branch of philosophy that is derived from the logical application of human values.
- Values are the principles that an individual or society considers important or worthwhile.
- Ethics helps determine morally acceptable and unacceptable conduct.
- Ethics plays a role in any human activity involving intelligent judgment and voluntary action.
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Description
Explore the key concepts of population dynamics, including factors affecting population size, levels of biological organization, and interaction across various biological levels. This quiz covers essential terms such as natality, population density, and ecological structures. Test your understanding of how populations function within ecosystems.
