Env. Science Basics
Define environmental science
The study of the impacts that humans have on the environment; interdisciplinary field of study.
Define biotic and abiotic factors, and give an example of each one
Biotic Factors: living or once living organisms; examples: shells, fur, animals, trees
Abiotic Factors: physical or chemical elements, anything that doesn't "breathe"; examples: wind, sunlight, nutrients, pH
Name and define the three types of symbiosis
Mutualism: a mutually beneficial symbiotic relationship; (+/+)
Commensalism: a one-sided symbiotic relationship; (+/0)
Parasitism: one species lives on, in, or with a host species; (+/-)
Define a biome
A large, relatively distinct terrestrial region with similar climate, soil, plants, and animals, regardless of where it occurs in the world
What are some Pro's and Con's of dams
Pro's: can produce hydropower, reduces downstream flooding, useful for recreation and fishing, provides drinking water, provides irrigation water above and below dam
Con's: large losses of water through evaporation, risk of failure and devastating downstream flooding, disrupts migration and spawning of fish, flooded land destroys forests/cropland and displaces people, deprives downstream cropland and estuaries of nutrient-rich silt
Explain inductive and deductive reasoning
Inductive Reasoning: start with specific observations -> general conclusions based on observations; more general knowledge based
Deductive Reasoning: start with general principles, and apply to a specific situation -> reach a conclusion; more scientific based
Name and describe the levels of organization in ecology
Biosphere: combined portions of the planet where all life exists
Ecosystem: a community of different species interacting with one another and with their nonliving environment of matter and energy
Community: groups of populations of different species living in the same area, potentially interacting with each other
Population: groups of individuals of the same species living in the same area, potentially interacting
Organism: an individual living being
What is resource partitioning.
Species avoid competition by dividing use of resources; can include time of feeding, nesting sites, and location of feeding
Define native, non-native, and invasive plants
Native Plants: from the area, and causes no harm or irritation to the local environment
Non-Native Plants: not from the area, but does not cause any harm to the local environment
Invasive Plants: not from the area, and does cause harm to the local environment
Restoring and maintaining the "physical, chemical, and biological integrity of the nation's waters"
Define basic and applied research/science
Basic Research/Science: research to understand basic principles and build knowledge, with no particular application in mind
Applied Research/Science: use science to solve real world problems, and do something of practical use
Describe the relationship between photosynthesis and cellular respiration
Photosynthesis takes in CO2, energy, and water, and releases O2. Cellular respiration takes in O2 to break down sugars to release CO2.
They rely on each other to function.
Fundamental Niches: where something could live; a theoretical habitat
Realized Niches: where something does live; their actual habitat
Why does ice float
Water is less dense at 0 degrees Celsius and reaches max density at 4 degrees Celsius
State the equation for the Hilsenhoff Biotic Index (HBI) and what each part means
HBI = (∑ni*ai)/N
ni= number of specimens in taxa
ai= tolerance value of taxa
N- total number of specimens in sample
Differentiate between hypothesis, theory, and law
Hypothesis: a testable potential answer/reasonable guess
Theory: simplifies our understand of the natural world; widely accepted in scientific community as true
Law: always true, must never be wrong; accepted universally
Briefly explain biogeochemical cycles and name at least one type of cycle
(bonus points for naming them all!)
Natural pathways by which essential elements cycle through Earth's systems
Water, Carbon, Phosphorus, Nitrogen, Sulfur, Oxygen
What is the difference between intraspecific and interspecific competition?
Intraspecific Competition: competition within the same species; density dependent
Interspecific Competition: competition among different species; includes grazing, predation, and parasitism
State and explain the parts of thermal stratification during the Summer
Epilimnion: upper, warmer and less dense layer of water near surface
Metalimnion: middle zone where temperatures change rapidly
Hypolimnion: lower, colder and dense layer of water at the bottom of the lake
You're conducting a field survey where you measure a stream to run along for 1,837 meters. If the straight-line distance between the source and mouth of the stream is 1,372 meters, what would the sinuosity of this stream be?
1.34 -> sinuous
List the steps of the scientific method
observe/identify a question -> form a testable hypothesis -> develop an experiment/research plan -> collect data -> analyze/interpret data -> share your data/report results -> new question arises ->... repeat
Briefly explain how cycles are interconnected
Nutrients are cycled through the entire biosphere between biotic and abiotic systems, often moving from one living organism to another
Describe what a trophic cascade is
A phenomenon where changes at the top of the food chain affect the lower levels; dramatically altering ecosystem structure and function
Explain Carlson's Trophic State Index (TSI), and the types of lakes mentioned
Carlson's TSI: characterizes lake productivity using indicators including concentrations of chlorophyll-a, total phosphorous, Secchi disk visibility
Oligotrophic: low productivity due to low levels of nutrients (P, N)
Mesotrophic: moderate level of productivity
Eutrophic: high levels of productivity
What is Strahler's stream order and explain how to calculate
A classification system that ranks stream size based on hierarchy of tributaries
1st Order: all small, unbranched tributaries
2nd Order: two 1st Order streams join together
3rd Order: two 2nd Order streams join together