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24 Cards in this Set
- Front
- Back
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Define ecology |
natural systems or natural features |
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What are the 4 ecological system benefits and describe them |
Provisional services: food, water, timber Regulating services: climate control, disease and pest regulation, water and air purification Supporting services: nutrient cycling, soil formation, produces oxygen Cultural services: aesthetics, education, recreational |
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Conclusions from the Millenium Ecosystem Assesment |
60% ecosystems have been degraded Freshwater degradation @ an unsustainable rate Ecosystem functions degrading @ non-linear rate Replacement of degraded ecosystems is either impossible or too expensive |
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12 Principles of Green Engineering |
1. Inherent rather than circumstantial 2. Prevention instead of treatment 3. Design for separation 4. Maximize efficiency 5. Output pulled rather than input-pushed 6. Conserve complexity 7. Durability rather than immortality 8. Meet need, minimize excess 9. Minimize material diversity 10. Integrate local materials 11. Design for afterlife 12. Renewable rather than depleting |
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5 Steps of an ecologically sensitive design process |
1. Know the site, conduct a site assessment 2. Avoid sensitive areas 3. Minimize Infrastructure Impacts 4. Mitigate unavoidable losses 5. Improve ecological function where possible |
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Describe step 1 of the ecologically sensitive design process |
1. Know the site, conduct a site assessment - identify important area locations - use a local consultant |
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Describe step 2 of the ecologically sensitive design process |
2. Avoid sensitive areas - don't disturb keystone, specialist, rare or migratory species & corridors - transition zones (areas where 2 systems meet) - prime habitat - use wildlife crossings - build on already developed brownfields, areas infiltrated w/ exotic species, away from wetlands or floodplains |
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Describe step 3 of the ecologically sensitive design process |
3. Minimize infrastructure impacts
- Whatever is built becomes part of the ecosystem - Maintain predevelopment hydrology: use low development techniques, small scale BMPs - Maintain predevelopment nutrient inputs: less nitrogen the better - Minimize pollution: minimize pesticides & use envirofriendly materials & chemical - Maintain plant cover: landscape with native species - Avoid exotic intrusive species: use only local native species |
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Describe step 4 of the ecologically sensitive design process |
4. Mitigate unavoidable losses - pay for damage or make up for damage someplace else - National mitigation bank for wetlands |
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Describe step 5 of the ecologically sensitive design process |
5. Improve Ecological Function where Possible - Consult Experts (local preferred) - Remove barriers to ecological function: altered hydrology, contamination, noise/light pollution - Install key species: native plants as appropriate - Provide connectivity to existing habitats: promote colonization - Be patient |
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5 types of ecosystem damages
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1. Direct habitat loss 2. Habitat fragmentation 3. Damage physical environment 4. Chemical toxicity 5. Introduction of exotic species |
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3 Manifestation of Habitat damage |
1. Eutrophication: ecosystem w/ chemical nutrients
2. Loss of top predators 3. Loss of key species |
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5 Impacts of specific infrastructure types |
1. Roads: habitat fragmentation & impedes migration 2. Sprawl: habitat loss/frag, invasive species, CO2 levels rise 3. Stormwater runoff: pollutants in waterways, elevated water temp 4. Dams: habitat loss, alter hydrology 5. Power generation: elevated water temp, climate change |
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Characteristics of Modern Wastewater Practice |
- All nonpotable water = wastewater - Polluted stormwater = nonpoint source pollution, combined sewer water, wastewater discharge - Waste = subjective |
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3 types of water |
stormwater = natural runoff greywater = bthrm sinks, showers, laundry blackwater = kitchen sinks, toilets, dishwashers |
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What is the design principle of LID |
Low impact development (LID): manage stormwater @ the source and use it as a resource, keep it on site & treat |
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Environmental benefits of LID |
- improved water quality - groundwater recharge - reduced erosion |
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Ecological benefits of LID |
- habitat creation - restoration of water bounds |
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Economic benefits of LID |
- less expensive - energy savings - increased property values |
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Social benefits of LID |
- traffic calming - increased urban green spaces |
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List the greywater treatment methods |
- Pretreatment filtering - Mulch basin - Media filtration - Filtration membranes - Biological treatment - Constructed wetlands - Disinfection - Distribution components |
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What are the 7 transect zones |
T1: The Natural Zone T2: Rural Zone T3: Surburban Zone T4: General Urban Zone T5: Urban Center T6: Urban Core T7: Special District/Industrial Facility |
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