Nature as a Source of Wonder
People's connection to the natural worlds
The universal value of Earth's enviornments
Processes
Cycles
Circulations
Glacial Cycles
100
Define biodiversity
The variability of life on Earth. The variety of plant and animal life in a particular habitat.
100
What is a worldview?
A core of set assumptions and beliefs that guide a person's actions regarding the enviornment. It includes their beliefs about the value of nature, how resources should be used, and what is considered right or wrong in enviornmental matters.
100
What are the global commons?
The pool of natural resources that are not owned by any one country. An example includes oceans.
100
Identify the three types of tectonic plate movements
Divergent
Convergent
Transform
100
What type of system is the water cycle?
A closed system.
100
What formed the atmosphere?
Volconic eruptions that released gases over 5 billion years formed the atmosphere!
100
What are glaciers?
A system of flowing ice that forms through accumulation and recrystalisation of snow. It alters landforms through erosion.
200
Why is biodiversity important?
Promotes soil formation
Provision of resources
Maintain genetic diversity
Ecosystm balance
Maintains food chains
200
What is anthropocentrism?
Places human beings at the center of the universe and considers human interests and well-being as the most important factor. The enviornment is valued based on its utility.
200
What is the main tragedy of the commons?
The overconsumption, underinvestment and depletion of resources due to personal/self interest.
200
What are the two types of weathering?
Mechanical and chemical
200
What is transpiration?
The process involves water moving through a plant and evaporating from tiny pores in the leaves.
200
What is a low-pressure system?
The type of pressure system associated with rising air, clouds, and rainfall and is common near the equator.
200
What are glacial and interglacial periods?
Glacial periods is when there are extensive ice sheets presents. Whereas, interglacial periods are warmer periods with less ice sheets present.
300
Why do billions of migratory animals move across the Earth?
Foraging opportunities, improve safety and increase reproductive outputs.
300
What is biocentrism and ecocentrism?
Biocentrism follows the belief that humans and all living organisms have rights. It recognises the intrinstic value of all living beings. Ecocentrism emphasises the intrinsic value of entire ecosystems, including both living and non-living elements.
300
What are the challenges with managing the Global Commons?
Lack of clear ownership (difficult to control/ hold people accountable)
Some nations often benefit fromt he commons without contributing to their protections or sustainable management.
Short term economic gain prioritized
Weak international agreements
Geopoltical tensions
Having resources to facilitate/ police management.
300
What is mechanical weathering
The breakdown of rick into minterals or sediments without alterings its composition e.g. ice wedging, abrasion, plant roots, unloading.
300
What does the water cycle link together?
The water cycle links terrestrial freshwater and marine ecosystems.
300
What is a high-pressure system?
ThThe pressure system that brings sinking air, clear skies, and dry weather often found 30 degrees north and south of the Equator.
300
What are glacial cycles?
A glacial cycle is when large ice sheets in the Northern Hemisphere grow and shrink over time. This causes glical periods and interglacial periods
400
Why does the humpback whale breed in the warmer waters in the North and migrate to the South later?
New born calfs do not have a thick layer of fat to protect them from the cold water. So, the breeding grounds are in warmer waters and migration to the colder waters occur later.
400
In 1730, more than 300 Bishnoi were killed while trying to protect trees. Their descendants have sought to carry on their legacy. What viewpoint does this follow?
Ecocentrism.
400
This area beyond any single nation's jursdiction is protected by international law and is crucial for regulating Earth's climate and supporting marine biodiversity.
High Seas
400
What is chemical weathering
The changing of composition of rocks, breaking them apart by dissolving particular elements or minerals. E.G Salty water, acidic water, oxidation.
400
What is a secondary consumer?
Animals that eat primary consumers (herbivores). Examples: Small fish, frogs.
400
This circulation cell is found near the Equator and features warm air rising, creating low pressure and heavy rainfaill in tropical regions.
Hadley Cells
400
What influences glacial periods?
The role of Milankovitch cycles (Earth's orbit), volcanoes, Atmospheric composition
500
Why is biodiversity important?
The loss of biodiversity will lead to the extinction and changes in migration of flora and fauna species casuing the detriment of the ecosystems. Supports all lifeforms in the world.
500
What is the key difference between biocentrism and ecocentrism?
Biocentrism is centred on all living organisms, whereas ecocentrism nature/ ecosystems are the centre.
500
This frozen region is considered a global common due to its importance in climate regulation, and its governed by a treaty that bans military activity and mineral mining.
Antartica
500
What is albedo and how does it impact the enviornment?
Albedo is the reflectivity of a surface - how much sunlight is reflected vs absorbed.
High albedo (light surfaces like ice and snow) reflect more sunlight.
Low albedo (dark surfaces like forests and oceans) absorb more heat.
It helps control how much solar energy is retained in the atmosphere, regulates glaciers and ice formation, affects ocrean currents and influences weathering and erosion rates.
500
What is Net Primary Productivity? Why is it important?
The amount of energy left in plants after they use some for growth and survival and it shows how much energy is avilable to animals in the food chain. (Higher levels of biodiversity which allows self-correction in environments)It is important because it leads to higher biodiversity and resilience in ecosystems.
500
The circulation cell operates near the poles, where cold, dense air sinks, creating high pressure and very dry cold conditions.
Polar Cells
500
What glacier am I?
Mountain