Environmental Science Fundamentals

Ecosystems

• An ecosystem is a community of living and non-living things (such as plants, animals, water, air, and soil) that interact with each other in a specific environment.
• Examples of ecosystems: forests, grasslands, deserts, oceans, and freshwater environments.

Biodiversity

• Biodiversity refers to the variety of different species of plants, animals, and microorganisms that live in an ecosystem.
• Three types of biodiversity:
  1. Species diversity: the number of different species in an ecosystem.
  2. Genetic diversity: the variety of genes within a species.
  3. Ecosystem diversity: the variety of different ecosystems in a region.

Environmental Issues

• Pollution: the release of harmful substances into the environment, such as air pollution, water pollution, and soil pollution.
• Climate change: the warming of the Earth's atmosphere due to the increase of greenhouse gases, such as carbon dioxide and methane.
• Deforestation: the clearance of forests, leading to loss of habitat and biodiversity.
• Conservation: the protection and preservation of natural resources, such as water, soil, and wildlife.

Human Impact on the Environment

• Sustainable development: meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.
• Renewable energy: energy sources that are replenished naturally, such as solar, wind, and hydro power.
• Waste management: the process of collecting, treating, and disposing of waste in a way that minimizes harm to the environment.
• Ecological footprint: the measure of the impact of human activities on the environment, including the use of resources and production of waste.

Environmental Conservation Efforts

• Protected areas: national parks, wildlife reserves, and other areas set aside to conserve natural habitats and ecosystems.
• Sustainable agriculture: farming practices that minimize harm to the environment, such as organic farming and permaculture.
• Recycling: the process of converting waste materials into new products, reducing the need for raw materials and waste disposal.
• International agreements: agreements between countries to address global environmental issues, such as the Paris Agreement on climate change.