Podcast
Questions and Answers
What is the primary function of biotic factors in an ecosystem?
What is the primary function of biotic factors in an ecosystem?
Which of the following is an example of a regulating ecosystem service?
Which of the following is an example of a regulating ecosystem service?
What is the primary goal of environmental sustainability?
What is the primary goal of environmental sustainability?
What is the primary focus of social sustainability?
What is the primary focus of social sustainability?
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What is the ultimate goal of sustainable development?
What is the ultimate goal of sustainable development?
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What is the primary goal of in situ conservation?
What is the primary goal of in situ conservation?
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Which of the following is NOT a strategy for mitigating climate change?
Which of the following is NOT a strategy for mitigating climate change?
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What is the term for the maximum population an ecosystem can support?
What is the term for the maximum population an ecosystem can support?
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What is the primary effect of deforestation and land-use changes on the environment?
What is the primary effect of deforestation and land-use changes on the environment?
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What is the term for the impact of human activities on the environment?
What is the term for the impact of human activities on the environment?
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Study Notes
Ecosystems
- A community of living and non-living components (biotic and abiotic factors) interacting with each other in a specific environment
- Examples: forests, grasslands, deserts, oceans, and freshwater ecosystems
- Key components:
- Biotic factors: plants, animals, microorganisms
- Abiotic factors: light, temperature, water, soil, atmosphere
- Ecosystem services:
- Provisioning (food, water, wood)
- Regulating (climate, air quality, water cycles)
- Cultural (recreation, tourism, education)
- Supporting (soil formation, nutrient cycling)
Sustainability
- Meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs
- Three pillars of sustainability:
- Environmental sustainability: conserving natural resources, reducing pollution, and protecting ecosystems
- Social sustainability: ensuring social justice, human rights, and community well-being
- Economic sustainability: promoting economic growth, reducing poverty, and creating jobs
- Key concepts:
- Carrying capacity: the maximum population an ecosystem can support
- Footprint: the impact of human activities on the environment
- Triple bottom line: balancing economic, social, and environmental performance
Conservation
- The preservation, protection, and restoration of natural environments and ecosystems
- Types of conservation:
- In situ conservation: protecting ecosystems in their natural habitats
- Ex situ conservation: preserving species or ecosystems outside their natural habitats (e.g., zoos, botanical gardens)
- Conservation strategies:
- Habitat preservation and restoration
- Species protection and reintroduction
- Sustainable resource management
- Education and community engagement
Climate Change
- A long-term warming of the planet due to human activities increasing global temperatures
- Causes:
- Greenhouse gases (CO2, methane, nitrous oxide) trapping heat in the atmosphere
- Deforestation and land-use changes
- Effects:
- Rising sea levels and coastal erosion
- Changes in precipitation patterns and weather extremes
- Loss of biodiversity and ecosystem disruption
- Human health impacts (heat stress, vector-borne diseases)
- Mitigation strategies:
- Reducing greenhouse gas emissions (e.g., transitioning to renewable energy)
- Carbon sequestration and storage
- Sustainable land-use practices
- Climate-resilient infrastructure and urban planning
Ecosystems
- A community of living and non-living components interacting in a specific environment
- Examples include forests, grasslands, deserts, oceans, and freshwater ecosystems
- Biotic factors: plants, animals, microorganisms
- Abiotic factors: light, temperature, water, soil, atmosphere
- Ecosystem services include provisioning, regulating, cultural, and supporting services
Sustainability
- Meeting the needs of the present without compromising future generations
- Three pillars: environmental, social, and economic sustainability
- Environmental sustainability: conserving natural resources, reducing pollution, and protecting ecosystems
- Social sustainability: ensuring social justice, human rights, and community well-being
- Economic sustainability: promoting economic growth, reducing poverty, and creating jobs
- Key concepts: carrying capacity, footprint, and triple bottom line
Conservation
- Preserving, protecting, and restoring natural environments and ecosystems
- Types: in situ conservation (protecting ecosystems in their natural habitats) and ex situ conservation (preserving species or ecosystems outside their natural habitats)
- Conservation strategies: habitat preservation and restoration, species protection and reintroduction, sustainable resource management, and education and community engagement
Climate Change
- A long-term warming of the planet due to human activities increasing global temperatures
- Causes: greenhouse gases trapping heat in the atmosphere, deforestation and land-use changes
- Effects: rising sea levels and coastal erosion, changes in precipitation patterns and weather extremes, loss of biodiversity and ecosystem disruption, and human health impacts
- Mitigation strategies: reducing greenhouse gas emissions, carbon sequestration and storage, sustainable land-use practices, and climate-resilient infrastructure and urban planning
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Description
Learn about the interactions between living and non-living components in ecosystems, including biotic and abiotic factors, and the services they provide.
