1 Foundations of Environmental Science Free Online FlashCards

What does environmental science study?

Environmental science studies how the natural world works and how people depend on, alter, and respond to it, drawing on natural and social sciences.

How does environmental science differ from ecology?

Ecology studies relationships between organisms and their environment. Environmental science also connects ecological processes with human health, technology, economies, institutions, and decisions.

What is a system?

A system is a set of connected parts whose interactions produce patterns or outcomes.

What can excess nutrients do to a lake ecosystem?

Excess nutrients can increase algal growth, lower oxygen levels, and harm fish populations.

How do stocks differ from flows?

A stock is an amount stored in a system, such as groundwater in an aquifer. Flows add to or remove from a stock, such as recharge and pumping.

What is environmental resilience?

Resilience is a system’s ability to withstand disturbance or adjust while maintaining important functions.

What makes a human–environment system coupled?

People depend on environmental systems for resources and benefits, while activities and choices can change those systems. Environmental changes can also affect livelihoods, health, and infrastructure.

How can land use affect water in a watershed?

Fertilizer washed from fields can raise nutrient levels downstream, while tree cover can slow runoff and reduce erosion.

What is biodiversity, and why does it matter?

Biodiversity is the variety of life. It supports ecosystem processes and benefits people through services such as food, water regulation, and recreation.

What does sustainability mean, and what can science contribute to decisions?

Sustainability means meeting present needs without undermining future generations’ ability to meet theirs. Scientific evidence can inform decisions, but it does not alone determine which values or outcomes society should prioritize.

What does a system boundary represent?

A system boundary is a useful study limit chosen for a particular question, not necessarily a physical wall.

How do environmental systems exchange energy and matter?

Systems exchange energy and matter. Sunlight moves through food webs, while water, carbon, and nutrients cycle between organisms and the physical environment.