An Interdisciplinary Science
Timeline of Environmental History
Science and the Scientific Method
Vocab I
Vocab II
100
What is meant by environmental science being an “interdisciplinary science”?
Involves many fields of science
100
10. For the majority of human history, we were ____________________ who survived by collecting plants and hunting wild animals.
hunter-gatherers
100

The first step in the scientific method...

What is observation

100
Replaced relatively quickly by natural processes
Renewable Resource
100
Define natural resources

substances and energy sources needed for survival

200
Give an example on how a biologist could contribute to environmental science.
Biologist studies living things. Your answer should include something about living things.
200
Humans began to collect seeds, grow crops, and domesticate animals during the ______________.
Agricultural Revolution
200
The statement that attempts to explain scientific question... usually in the form of an if then statement.

Hypothesis

200

forms at a much slower rate than the rate it is consumed

Nonrenewable Resource

200

The study of how humans interact with the environment

Environmental Science

300
Give an example on how a Paleontologist could contribute to environmental science.
Paleontologists study fossils and ancient life. Your answer should include something about the past and how it helps us understand the environment today.
300
The _____________________ was characterized by a shift from human and animal power to fossil fuels.
Industrial Revolution
300

A variable taken as the outcome of one or more variables.

Dependent Variable

300

Measurement uncertainties and other errors that occur in experiments.

Experimental errors

300

Define "Environment"

All the things around us with which we interact

400
Give an example on how an Engineer could contribute to environmental science.
Engineering is a branch of Physics by which matter and energy are made useful to humans in structures, machines, and products. Your answer should have a specific example of something engineers could design/create to help us study, preserve, etc the environment.
400

How did the industrial revolution change society?

Your answer should include discussion of a change of fuel sources, increased waste/pollution production, a "lazy attitude" developing, increased technology/inventions, increased efficiency of agriculture, industry, and transportation, growing populations, etc.

400

Policy decisions and management practices

Application of science

400

A social movement dedicated to protecting the natural world

Environmentalism

400

Describe the concept of "The tragedy of the commons", give an example.

The idea that if something is available for everyone to use as they wish, in other words, is a "commons". The resource will soon be depleted because of the idea "if I don't use it someone else will, so I might as well use as much as I want".

500
Give an example on how a Chemist could contribute to environmental science.
Chemists study chemicals and their interactions. Your answer should have a specific example of how chemicals could affect the environment either positively or negatively.
500
TWO PART QUESTION. What was one main effect that hunter-gatherers had on the environment and how did the agricultural revolution affect the environment/society?
Hunter-gatherers over hunted, leading to the extinction of some species. The agricultural revolution allowed people to stay in one place and for populations to grow. New species were created because of selective breeding. Plants and animals were domesticated. Poor farming techniques lead to infertile soil. Clearing out forests for farm land led to loss of habitat and soil erosion.
500

The variable that is manipulated by the investigator; affects the dependent variable

Independent Variable

500

Define "Ecological Footprint"

The environmental impact of a person or population

500

Define "Sustainability"

The condition in which human needs are met in such a way that a human population can survive indefinitely at a standard of living similar to the current one.

M
e
n
u