Introduction to Environmental Science

The study of the impacts of human activities on environmental systems.

A measure that reflects the environmental health of a system such as new tree growth indicating forest health.

Describes the diversity of genes, species, habitats, and ecosystems.

A group of organisms distinct in morphology, physiology or biochemistry that can breed and produce viable offspring.

Describes the loss of species on Earth relative to the overall number of species.

A species that can cause a cascade of extinction of other species dependent on them, resulting in loss of entire ecosystems.

Present-day consumption of resources allows an adequate supply to remain for future generations.

Gases trap heat around Earth, warming the atmosphere.

The scientific information that we will cover has been analyzed and synthesized through the process.

A testable and falsifiable statement about organisms or processes under observation.

Accounts for the inputs and outputs to determine the fluxes in a given system.

Input equals output, and the size of the pool does not change over time.

Changes in behaviors are adjustments made by a system in response to behavior or events.

The stable set point of a system is known exceeding.

Genetic diversity is the variety of genes, the chemical building blocks that provide the blueprint for how every individual organism develops.

The physical and behavioral characteristics of an individual a result of interaction between genotype and the environment.

Repeated change in genotype over time, may result in a variety of phenotypes in a species.

Process of survival and reproduction because well suited for environment.

Random change in genotypes among small populations of a species.

The degree to which water resources are depleted impacts on what form water-related ecosystem that can thrive.

Water can be evaporated, turn into runoff or infiltrate soils.

Photosynthesis or combustions cycle carbon, what form will it impact biosphere.

A process in which pollutants like Nitrogen move out and change structure in water.

Can be released from multiple of locations or pipe stem from water sources or other items.

The action from non chemical pollutants, like sand, slit, clay that mobilize soil being disturbed by housing constructs.

A change to the rate that alters stream lines to get heat, as is done in power grids.

A fuel's electrical potential being used to supply the planet with power, or other items.

Mined and processed and used to supply earth with power.

Can supply the grid electricity but can cause the planet air or health problems.

Extracted with water or other items like sand or chemicals for better preformance.

Using uranium to generate power and generate some type of pollution.

Derived from power source sun water or other clean types resources to generate power.

Solar or water based cycles on planet, requires heat to be pushed to create power or move to create power.

Where the sun can supply power without other sources or machine parts.

Machines are used to supply power using only the sun, includes pumps or water wheels or other items.

Kinetic type wind power used to supply the planet with power and or electricity.

Power sources can produce gasses like O2 from the wind, or release toxins from nuclear fallout without being seen.

From decaying animals all the way down or up from the foodchain with the sun.

Getting usable work from the planets resources and heat.

Alters to the atmothsphere, oceans and crysothere by different impacts.

Traps differnt levels of heat to get the land to heat better or provide better weather structre for the plants or life.