ENVI LEC Module 1 Quiz: Environmental Science

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Questions and Answers

What is the primary focus of conservation in environmental science?

Encouraging biocentric preservation

Using natural resources responsibly (correct)

Protecting the environment from human activity

Promoting social justice in environmental issues

What significant theme emerged in the 1900s regarding environmental protection?

Sustainable development

Economic necessity of environmental stewardship

Biocentric preservation (correct)

Pragmatic conservation

What does the modern environmentalism movement primarily address?

Global solutions to social issues

Impact of pollution and resource management (correct)

Environmental justice for future generations

Utilization of natural resources

Which principle of sustainable development is emphasized?

Meeting current needs without jeopardizing future generations Signup and view all the answers

What does systems thinking in environmental science refer to?

An interconnected set of elements achieving a coherent goal Signup and view all the answers

What components constitute species diversity?

Species richness and evenness Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is not a threat to biodiversity according to the HIPPO framework?

Industrialization Signup and view all the answers

The National Integrated Protected Areas System Act (NIPAS) is primarily aimed at what?

Protecting biodiversity Signup and view all the answers

What does redundancy in an ecosystem refer to?

The existence of several species performing a similar function Signup and view all the answers

How does pollution affect biodiversity?

It reduces the quality of habitats, affecting species survival Signup and view all the answers

What distinguishes a closed system from an open system?

Open systems involve a transfer of energy. Signup and view all the answers

Which statement accurately describes a dynamic system?

A dynamic system consists of elements that can change. Signup and view all the answers

What defines environmental science?

The systematic study of the environment Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary characteristic of a simple system?

It performs only one function. Signup and view all the answers

Which principle of science emphasizes simplicity in explanations?

Parsimony Signup and view all the answers

Which level of biological organization is directly made up of atoms?

Atom Signup and view all the answers

What is a key characteristic of good science?

It seeks to be falsified Signup and view all the answers

What defines tissues in the biological organization?

Tissues consist of similar cells performing a common function. Signup and view all the answers

What is a primary feature of an ecosystem?

It involves interactions between living things and their environment. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a common red flag of pseudoscience?

Lack of falsifiability Signup and view all the answers

In scientific thinking, what does repeatability ensure?

Experiments can yield consistent results over time Signup and view all the answers

In the context of system thinking, what is one aspect that is emphasized?

Recognizing interconnected elements and their interactions. Signup and view all the answers

Which level of biological organization comes after macromolecules?

Organelle Signup and view all the answers

What does the term 'empiricism' refer to in science?

The reliance on observation and experience Signup and view all the answers

Which statement is true regarding the demarcation problem?

It indicates a blurred line between non-science and good science Signup and view all the answers

What type of science is characterized by misleading conclusions despite having a valid premise?

Bad Science Signup and view all the answers

What describes the principle of emergent properties in ecosystems?

New properties arise from interactions among system components. Signup and view all the answers

Which statement best describes energy flow in ecosystems?

Energy flows in a one-way direction and must be constantly supplied. Signup and view all the answers

What does the 10% rule in energy transfer imply?

Only 10% of energy is available to the next trophic level. Signup and view all the answers

What is meant by ecological succession?

It is the gradual process of change and replacement in a community. Signup and view all the answers

In which type of succession do pioneer species colonize a previously uninhabited area?

Primary succession Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a characteristic of late successional species?

They are typically large and contribute to high biomass. Signup and view all the answers

What is the result of bioaccumulation in ecosystems?

Toxic substances build up in organisms. Signup and view all the answers

Which element is not one of the fundamental building blocks of life?

Calcium Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Module 1: Embracing Environmental Science

Environmental Science is the systematic study of the environment and examines interactions between humans and nature.
Environmentalism emphasizes advocacy and social/political movements focused on environmental issues.
Science is interdisciplinary, combining pure and applied scientific methods to solve environmental problems.
Key principles of science include testable questions, parsimony, repeatability, uniformitarianism, uncertainty, elusive proof, and empiricism.
Good science aims for falsification, while pseudoscience tends to confirm its hypotheses and often lacks rigorous statistical support.
Major themes in environmental science include conservation, preservation, and sustainable development.
Historical perspectives on environmentalism evolved from economic necessity in the 1700s to a global approach focused on social justice and pollution in modern times.

Module 2: Understanding the Natural World

Systems thinking recognizes interconnected elements within a coherent structure aimed at achieving a purpose.
Systems can be classified as closed (energy flows, materials circulate) or open (materials and energy both flow).
Biological organization ranges from atoms, molecules, and macromolecules to populations, communities, and ecosystems.
Emergent properties indicate that new characteristics arise through interactions among system components.
Ecosystems exhibit one-way energy flow, with energy transferred at each trophic level according to the 10% Rule.
Energy flow is governed by the Laws of Thermodynamics, emphasizing energy conservation and entropy increase.
Ecological succession involves the recovery of ecosystems post-disturbance, with primary succession starting from barren conditions and secondary succession following a disturbance in previously established ecosystems.

Energy Flow and Ecological Succession

Energy flows in ecosystems are driven by biotic interactions (food chains) and abiotic factors (radiation, convection).
Production converts energy into biomass, allowing for food chains and interconnected food webs to develop.
Bioaccumulation results in the buildup of pollutants in organisms, while biomagnification highlights increased concentration up the food chain.
Pioneer species initiate ecological succession, contributing to energy flow and nutrient cycling over time toward a climax community.

Biogeochemical Cycles

Essential biogeochemical cycles involve key elements: sulfur, phosphorus, oxygen, nitrogen, carbon, and hydrogen.
Biodiversity encompasses species richness (number of species), evenness (relative abundance), and overall species diversity.
Ecological complexity and redundancy are vital for ecosystem stability, with biodiversity contributing to ecosystem services beneficial to humans.
Threats to biodiversity include habitat destruction, invasive species, pollution, human population pressure, and overharvesting.
Protection measures for biodiversity involve legislation like the National Integrated Protected Areas System Act (NIPAS) and community-based conservation efforts.

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Description

This quiz covers key concepts from Module 1 of the Environmental Science course, focusing on the definition and scope of environmental science. Understand the distinction between environmentalism and environmental science, and learn about their significance in examining human-environment interactions.