Environmental Science Week 1

Study Notes

Environmental Science and Sustainability

Environment encompasses all living and non-living elements around us, influencing raw materials, energy, and waste processing.
Environmental science studies interactions between nature and human impact on the environment.
Ecology focuses on the relationships among living organisms and their surroundings.
Organisms are defined as living entities, while a species is a group with distinct characteristics.
An ecosystem consists of interacting organisms within a specific area, including nonliving matter and energy.
Environmentalism is a movement aimed at preserving Earth's life-support systems for all living beings.
Sustainability refers to the ability of natural and human systems to thrive and adapt over the long term amid changing environmental conditions.
Natural capital includes resources and ecosystem services essential for sustaining life and facilitating economies.
Natural resources are classified into:
- Inexhaustible (e.g., solar, wind energy)
- Renewable (e.g., air, water, plants)
- Nonrenewable (e.g., fossil fuels, metals)
Ecosystem services are crucial processes provided by ecosystems that support life and economies without cost.

Ecosystems

Atmosphere is a thin layer of gases around Earth, primarily composed of 78% nitrogen and 21% oxygen.
The greenhouse effect is vital for maintaining the planet's warmth.
Gravity plays a role in retaining the atmosphere and facilitating the cycling of chemicals.
The biosphere contains all living organisms, while the hydrosphere includes all water, with 71% being ocean water and 3% freshwater.
The lithosphere comprises the solid earth, consisting mainly of oxygen, silicon, and magnesium.
Earth’s spheres interact through matter and energy exchanges via processes like the water cycle and nitrogen cycle.
Ecosystems represent communities of organisms and their physical environments, with ecology examining these connections.
Solar energy is essential for warming the earth and supporting life; 34% of its radiation is reflected, while 66% is emitted as heat.
Organisms are categorized as:
- Abiotic (non-living)
- Biotic (living)
Producers (autotrophs) synthesize their own nutrients through processes like photosynthesis.
Consumers (heterotrophs) obtain energy by consuming other organisms, subdivided into herbivores, carnivores, and omnivores.
Decomposers recycle nutrients from dead organisms and waste, enriching the soil for producers.
Food chains depict a linear flow of energy between organisms, while food webs illustrate more complex interconnections.

Biodiversity and Evolution

Biological diversity (biodiversity) signifies the variety of species on Earth, integral to ecosystem health and function.

Description

Explore the foundational concepts of environmental science and sustainability in this quiz. Understand the interactions between living organisms and their environment, the definition of ecology, and the impact of human actions on nature. Test your knowledge on key terms and principles.