Environmental Science

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molecule

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two or more same element atoms bonded together

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compound

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two or more different kind of atoms bonded together

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lithosphere

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earths crust

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hydrosphere

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all water, liquid and solid forms

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atmosphere

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thin layer of gases separating the earth from outer space

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the six key elements that characterize living things

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carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, phosphorous, sulfur

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three major gases in atmosphere

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oxygen, nitrogen, carbon dioxide

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hydrosphere is comprised of these two elements

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hydrogen, oxygen

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mineral

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any hard crystalline, inorganic material of a given chemical composition

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organic

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chemical compounds making up tissues of living organisms

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inorganic

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non-carbon based molecules or compounds

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natural organic compounds

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compounds making up living organisms

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synthetic organic compounds

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human made compounds containing carbon

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forms of energy

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heat, light, electricity, movement

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energy

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the ability to move matter

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kinetic energy

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energy in action or motion

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potential energy

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energy in storage

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chemical energy

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potential energy contained in fuels

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calorie

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unit of measure for energy; amount of heat required to raise the temperature 1 gram of water 1 degree celsius

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law of conservation of energy; first law of thermodynamics

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energy is neither created nor destroyed, but may be converted from one form to another

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second law of thermodynamics

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in any energy conversion, some energy is always lost

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entropy

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measure of the degree of disorder in a system

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anaerobic

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oxygen free

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initial source of energy

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sunlight

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biochemical cycles

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circular pathways that involve biological, geological, and chemical processes

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the major difference between carbon cycle and phosphorous cycle

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no matter where CO2 is released, it will mix in and maintain its concentration in the atmosphere, phosphorous however does not have a gas phase, so it is recycled only if the wastes containing it are deposited in the ecosystem from which it came

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how is the nitrogen cycle like the carbon and phosphorous cycle?

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it has a gas phase, and it acts as a limiting factor

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how is nitrogen cycle unique?

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bacteria in soils, water and sediments perform most of the steps of the cycle

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what is the main resevoir of nitrogen

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air

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denitrifications

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a microbial process that occurs in soils and sediments depleted of oxygen

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nitrogen cascade

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sequential impacts of Nr as it moves through the environemtal systems, creating problems as it goes

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equilibrium

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when death and birth rates of a popluation are generally equal over a long period of time

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exponential increase

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when a species population grows under ideal conditions (population continually doubles)

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population explosion

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when a population increases rapidly all at once, and then inevitably crashes (J curve)

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biotic potential

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the ability of a potential to increase, number of offspring of that species under ideal conditions

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recruitment

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survival through the early growth stages to become part of the breeding poulation

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two reproductive strategies

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1. produce massive numbers of young and then leave survival to the whims of nature 2. have low reproductive rate, but care for and protect the young until they can compete for resources with adult members of population

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life history

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strategies for for reproduction and survival that enables the species to be successful in a niche and ecosystem

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environmental resistence

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all of the biotic and abiotic factors that may limit a populations incres

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replacement level

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when reproduction is just enough to replace the adults (equilibrium)

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carrying capacity

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the maximum population of a species that a given habitat can support the habitat being degraded over a long period of time (sustainability)

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dynamic balance

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additions and subtraction fluctuate around a median (S curve)

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population density

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the number of individuals per unit area

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density dependent

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as population density increases, environmental resistance becomes more intense.

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density independent

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the effect is independent of the population density

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critical number

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a certain minimal population base that a population depends on for survival and recovery

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threatened species

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species populations that are decreasing rapidly

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endangered

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when a population reaches what scientists believe to be its critical number

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keystone species

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a species with a crucial role in maintaining ecosystem abiotic structure

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interspecific competition

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when species niches overlap and create competition

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intraspecific competition

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when a resource is scarce and species compete within their own population

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riparian woodlands

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when trees grow only along waterways

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epiphytes

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air plants (moss)

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four factors that ensure a species will survive new conditions

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1. geographical distribution 2. specialization to given habitat or food supply 3. genetic variations within the gene pool of species 4.reproductive rate relative to the rate of change

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reproductive isolation

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when one species separates into different populations that don't interbreed

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how are new species formed

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gradual modifications of existing species

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ecological or natural succession

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phenomenon of transition from one biotic community to another

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facillation

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when earlier occupants create conditions that are more favorable to new occupants, and are replaced by them

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climax ecosystem

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dynamic balance between between all of the species and the environment

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primary succession

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when an area has not been occupied previously, and the process of initial invasion occurs

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secondary succession

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when an area has been cleared by fire or humans and left alone, plants and animals from surroundings may gradual reinvade

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fire climax ecosystems

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ecosystems that depend on the recurrence of fire to maintain their existence

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resilience

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an ecosystem that maintains in normal functioning, its integrity, even with disturbance

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instrumental value

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when a species or organism existence or use benefits another entity

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intrinsic value

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an organism or species that has value for its own sake; its not useful to us but still has value

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genetic bank

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natural biota

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ecotourism

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tourist visit places in order to observe wild species or unique ecological sites