Scientific Method
What is accuracy?
Accuracy is how close a measurement is to the actual value
Why is human well-being a concern when studying environmental science?
People who are unable to meet their basic needs are less concerned with environmental welfare
Environmental science is not only the study of how people affect the environment, but also how the environment affects people
What are the 5 key global indicators used for?
To indicate the health of the environment and determine if there is a problem or not
What does biotic mean? Give an example of a biotic factor:
Living
Plants, animals, bacteria, fungi, etc
What is replication?
When scientists take several sets of measurements
What are the 6 steps of the Scientific Method in order?
Observe and question
Background research
Hypothesize
Experiment
Analyze data and draw conclusions
Report results
Why is a lack of baseline data a concern in environmental science?
There is no "control Earth" to compare the current Earth to, so it is hard to determine how much people are affecting the planet
What is the current trend in average global surface temperatures and CO2 concentrations?
Both global temperatures and CO2 concentrations have increased significantly since the industrial revolution
What does abiotic mean? Give an example of an abiotic factor:
nonliving
Rocks, soil, water, air, sunlight,
What is the sample size?
What are the three types of variables in an experiment?
Independent, Dependent, Controlled
What are the four major challenges in environmental science?
Lack of baseline data
Subjectivity
Interactions
Human well-being
What are the 5 key global indicators?
Biodiversity/Biological diversity
Food production
Average global surface temperatures and CO2 concentrations
Human population growth
Resource depletion
What is environmental science?
The study of the interactions between human systems and nature
What is precision?
How close the repeated measurements are to each other
What is a hypothesis?
A hypothesis is a testable prediction about what may happen
Why is subjectivity a concern in environmental science?
There is no single measure of environmental quality and choices involve value judgements and personal opinions
What is the current trend in food production?
Grain production per capita has leveled off
What is an ecosystem?
A particular location on Earth with interacting components
What is the independent variable?
What you are changing or testing in an experiment
Explain the difference between a theory and natural law
A theory is a well-supported explanation of natural phenomena that is supported by repeated testing and confirmation of hypotheses.
A natural law is a description of natural phenomena that has never been disproven
Why are interactions a concern in environmental science?
There are so many interacting parts in the environment that it can be difficult to determine cause and effect. It can also be hard to apply studies from one location to another
What does background extinction mean? What is the background extinction rate per year?
The average rate at which species go extinct over the long term without human interference
The rate is 2-4 species per year
What is the environment?
The sum of all the conditions around us that influence life
Which variable represents the measurable results at the end of your experiment?
Dependent variable