Intro to Environmental Science
What is the Tragedy of the Commons
Destruction of shared resources
How much energy is lost going up the trophic triange?
90 percent
What are the 4 types of hazards that cause health problems for humans. List an example of each
Biological Hazard- Virus
Social Hazard- Smoking
Physical Hazard- Tornado
Chemical Hazard- Bleach
Overuse in the Great Plains during the Dust Bowl lead to what environment disaster
desertification
Which greenhouse gas is responsible for climate change
carbon dioxide
methane
What is the difference between biotic and abiotic factors? Give examples
biotic is living; abiotic is nonliving
What is the difference between primary and secondary succession?
Primary- Starting from scratch
Secondary- Renewal of an ecosystem after a disaster
Describe the Heat Island Effect
Because of concrete in urban areas heat gets concentrated making the area hotter.
Less Albedo
increases temperature
What type of energy is trapped in non-renewable is what type of energy
potential energy
What are the three main laws in America to protect the environment? What do each do?
Clean Air Act- Limits pollution in the atmosphere
Clean Water Act- Limits pollution into navigable surface waters
Endangered Species Act- Protects habitat and the transfer of animal carcasses/materials
What is an example between density independent and a density dependent factor that affects the size of a population
Density Independent- Drought
Density Dependent- Competition of Resources
What is the difference between epidemiology and risk assessment
epidemiology is the study of disease; biological
risk assessment is comparing concentrations of chemical hazards and the likelihood someone would get harmed
What happens to soil composition during drought
dry soil, depression of the land, sinkholes
Which human activity puts the most carbon dioxide into the atmosphere
driving cars; internal combustion engines
What are the three different types of ethical views of the environment?
Anthropocentrism- Human centered
Eco-centrism- Earth centered
Biocentrism- Life centered
What is the leading loss of biodiversity globally?
habitat fragmentation/ ecosystem change
Give an example of an emerging disease
COVID-19
What nutrient is responsible for eutrophication
Phosphorus
What is the difference between a renewable and a non-renewable resource; give examples of each
Renewable; easily obtained and recharged in the environment; solar, wind, geothermal
Nonrenewable; not easily obtained, will run out; fossil fuels
Describe command and control in relation to environmental regulation
The government tells you to do something; if you don't you get jail time or a fine.
Define: the max number of organisms a species can support while being strained by resources and in competition with other species
carrying capacity
How does urbanization effect fertility rates/population?
More women seek higher education and careers which decreases fertility rates.
The cost of raising children is higher so more women work, drives down fertility rates
What are prescribed burns, and how do they help forest management?
Small burns to clear leaf litter at the bottom of the forest floor; helps prevent massive wildfires
How does hydropower harm ecosystems
floods areas; no more habitat :(