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Questions and Answers
What is Aldo Leopold best known for?
What is Aldo Leopold best known for?
Which book did Rachel Carson write that addressed pesticide dangers?
Which book did Rachel Carson write that addressed pesticide dangers?
What significant environmental event took place between June 3-14, 1992?
What significant environmental event took place between June 3-14, 1992?
What was one outcome of Rachel Carson's work?
What was one outcome of Rachel Carson's work?
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What does Aldo Leopold suggest about the way we view land?
What does Aldo Leopold suggest about the way we view land?
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What was the aim of the Convention on Biological Diversity signed at the Earth Summit?
What was the aim of the Convention on Biological Diversity signed at the Earth Summit?
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Which international treaty was established to address global warming?
Which international treaty was established to address global warming?
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What was the initial public reaction to Rachel Carson's findings?
What was the initial public reaction to Rachel Carson's findings?
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What distinguishes renewable resources from non-renewable resources?
What distinguishes renewable resources from non-renewable resources?
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What is the focus of stewardship as described in the context?
What is the focus of stewardship as described in the context?
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What was the primary focus of early environmental science studies?
What was the primary focus of early environmental science studies?
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Who authored 'An Essay on the Principle of Population'?
Who authored 'An Essay on the Principle of Population'?
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Which of the following describes a cyclical change?
Which of the following describes a cyclical change?
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Which statement about human-induced changes is correct?
Which statement about human-induced changes is correct?
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What does the term 'Malthusianism' refer to?
What does the term 'Malthusianism' refer to?
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In which centuries did key figures like Darwin, Huxley, and Muir influence environmental science?
In which centuries did key figures like Darwin, Huxley, and Muir influence environmental science?
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What do sustainable development practices aim to achieve?
What do sustainable development practices aim to achieve?
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What is the primary goal of an Environmental Educator?
What is the primary goal of an Environmental Educator?
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How is change characterized in the information provided?
How is change characterized in the information provided?
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Which aspect is emphasized in environmental science as it emerged as a distinct field?
Which aspect is emphasized in environmental science as it emerged as a distinct field?
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What implication does excessive extraction of non-renewable resources have?
What implication does excessive extraction of non-renewable resources have?
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What does the concept of kinship with nature imply?
What does the concept of kinship with nature imply?
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What was a significant consequence predicted by Malthus regarding population growth?
What was a significant consequence predicted by Malthus regarding population growth?
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What does environmental science aim to understand as a distinct field?
What does environmental science aim to understand as a distinct field?
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What defines a species according to the given information?
What defines a species according to the given information?
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Which component of an ecosystem is responsible for producing energy?
Which component of an ecosystem is responsible for producing energy?
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What does the term 'abiotic factors' refer to in an ecosystem?
What does the term 'abiotic factors' refer to in an ecosystem?
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Which of the following is NOT listed as a key climatic condition for ecosystems?
Which of the following is NOT listed as a key climatic condition for ecosystems?
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What is the primary focus of ecology?
What is the primary focus of ecology?
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Which of the following correctly describes the nature of relationships in ecosystems?
Which of the following correctly describes the nature of relationships in ecosystems?
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Which of these is considered part of the 'Other Physical Factors' that shape ecosystems?
Which of these is considered part of the 'Other Physical Factors' that shape ecosystems?
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What does the root 'oikos' in ecology signify?
What does the root 'oikos' in ecology signify?
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What characterizes primary succession?
What characterizes primary succession?
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Which organisms are known as pioneer species during primary succession?
Which organisms are known as pioneer species during primary succession?
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How does secondary succession differ from primary succession?
How does secondary succession differ from primary succession?
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What is one key factor that supports higher productivity in ecosystems?
What is one key factor that supports higher productivity in ecosystems?
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What usually allows for quicker recovery in areas undergoing secondary succession?
What usually allows for quicker recovery in areas undergoing secondary succession?
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Which aspect is essential for ecosystem stability?
Which aspect is essential for ecosystem stability?
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What role do pioneer species play in primary succession?
What role do pioneer species play in primary succession?
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Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of primary succession?
Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of primary succession?
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Study Notes
Environmental Science History
- Environmental science emerged as a distinct field in the mid-1800s
- Early focus was on discovering new species and understanding natural processes to improve human life, like identifying new food sources or valuable materials
- Late 19th and early 20th centuries saw key figures like Charles Darwin, Thomas Huxley, and John Muir exploring the relationship between the environment and human activities
Pioneering Scientists in Environmental Science
- Thomas Robert Malthus (1887-1948): English Economist and demographer; author of "An Essay on the Principle of Population"; predicted exponential population growth would outpace linear food production leading to starvation; introduced "Malthusianism" – the idea that population growth always outpaces food supply, hindering human improvement without strict reproduction limits
- Aldo Leopold (1887-1948): Father of wildlife conservation in the US; author of "A Sand County Almanac"; introduced the "land ethic" – viewing land as a community to which we belong, fostering love and respect for its use.
- Rachel Carson (1907-1964): Mother of the environmental science movement; wrote "Silent Spring" (1962) highlighting the dangers of pesticides like DDT, exposing its risks in agriculture; faced attacks from pesticide companies and the chemical industry discrediting her work; DDT was banned due to her research.
Key Events in Environmental History
- 1962: "Silent Spring" published
- 1990: Earth Day goes global, celebrated annually on April 22nd
- 1992: UN Earth Summit, the largest gathering of world leaders at the time, aimed for environmentally responsible economic development
- 1992: Biodiversity Treaty signed at the UN Earth Summit, promoting biodiversity conservation and equitable sharing of genetic resources.
- 1997: Kyoto Protocol adopted, the first international treaty addressing global warming and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
Our Finite Earth (Ang Mundo Ay May Mga Limitasyon)
- Earth's resources are either renewable (water, air, plants) or non-renewable (fossil fuels, metals)
- Pollution can make renewable resources inaccessible
- Excessive extraction of non-renewable resources poses significant risks to sustainability
- Population growth increases demand for resources, highlighting the importance of reducing consumption, using renewable energy and implementing pollution control
Stewards of God's Creation (Ang Kalikasan Ay Maganda At Tayo Ang Tagapangasiwa)
- Humans, created in God’s image, have the duty to care for creation, not abuse it.
- This stewardship is rooted in various religious beliefs, emphasizing respect for all life.
- Stewardship signifies guardianship over nature, acknowledging humans as part of the ecosystem.
- Teachings across cultures advocate for a kinship with nature, reinforcing our responsibility to protect it.
Everything Changes (Ang Lahat Ay Nagbabago)
- Change is the only constant
- It can be cyclical, linear or random
- Human-induced changes like climate change can have profound and rapid effects on ecosystems.
- Sustainable development practices are essential to mitigate and encourage positive environmental changes.
Meanings and Components of Ecosystems
- Ecosystem: Interacting living organisms (plants, animals, bacteria) and nonliving components (air, water, soil, weather).
- Ecology: Study of earth's households (plants, animals, microorganisms, people) that live together as interdependent components.
- Trophic Structure of an Ecosystem: Consists of producers (Autotrophic Component) and consumers (Heterotrophic Component).
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Abiotic factors: Non-living components that shape the ecosystem; key examples include:
- Temperature
- Precipitation and humidity
- Wind
- Nutrients available
- Substrate (soil)
- Atmospheric gases
- Currents
- Sunlight
- Other Physical Factors: Light, fire, pressure, geomagnetism.
Primary Succession
- Occurs in land bare of soil like a sandbar, rock surface, or volcanic flow.
- Pioneer species (microbes, mosses, lichens) colonize and make the environment more hospitable for subsequent species.
Secondary Succession
- Happens after a disturbance where soil remains intact (fire, flood, human activity).
- A new community develops from the biological legacy of the previous one.
- Allows for faster recovery and establishment of new plant communities compared to primary succession.
Resilience, Complexity, and Stability in Ecosystems
- Stability is a key property that varies among ecosystems.
- A stable ecosystem:
- Can withstand harsh conditions and limited resources.
- Often supports a larger and more diverse array of species (higher productivity).
Importance of Understanding and Managing Ecosystems
- Understanding the delicate balance within ecosystems is crucial for managing both natural and anthropogenic disturbances.
- Key for maintaining ecosystem health and promoting sustainability.
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Description
Test your knowledge of the origins and key figures in environmental science, which emerged in the mid-1800s. Dive into the contributions of important scientists like Malthus and Leopold, and understand how their ideas shaped modern environmental thought.