Chapter 1
What is the primary focus of environmental science?
Studying how humans interact with the environment and how to solve environmental problems.
What is an ecosystem?
A community of organisms and their physical environment.
What causes Earth's seasons?
The tilt of Earth's axis.
What is evolution?
Change in species over time.
What is pollution?
Introduction of harmful substances into the environment.
Explain tragedy of the commons
It’s caused by individuals overusing shared resources for personal gain, leading to depletion for everyone.
What are producers?
Organisms that make their own food (usually plants).
What biome has the highest biodiversity?
Tropical rainforest.
What is an invasive species?
Non-native species that disrupt ecosystems.
What is population growth rate?
The rate at which a population increases or decreases.
What is the difference between renewable and nonrenewable resources?
Renewable resources are naturally replenished over short periods, whereas nonrenewable resources are finite and cannot be replaced
What are decomposers?
Organisms that break down dead material.
What defines a biome?
Climate, animals, and plant life.
What is carrying capacity?
Maximum population an environment can support.
What is total fertility rate (TFR)?
Average number of children born per woman.
Explain the concept of ecological footprint.
It measures how much land and resources a person uses.
What is trophic level?
Position an organism occupies in a food chain.
What two factors mainly determine climate?
Temperature and precipitation.
What is a niche?
An organism’s role in its ecosystem.
What is carrying capacity?
Maximum population size that the environment can support.
What is sustainability?
Using resources without depleting them for future generations.
What percentage of energy transfers between trophic levels?
10%
Name a cold and dry biome.
Tundra.
What is a keystone species?
Species with a large effect on its ecosystem.
What is infant mortality rate?
Number of infant deaths per 1,000 live births.