PWS

a system or process that can be continued indefinitely, without depleting any of the material or energy resources required to keep it running

harvested (such as crops, trees, fish, etc.) are able to reproduce faster than required in order to keep populations stable while a large percentage is utilized for consumption purposes

Study of all processes influencing the distribution and abundance of organisms and the interactions between and among living things

the living part of a community (Plants, animals, microbes, etc.)

Factors of the chemical and physical environment (non-living) including moisture, temperature, light, wind, pH, soil, salinity, etc.

Members of a specific biotic group similar in appearance and able to produce fertile offspring

all members of a specific biotic group that occupy a given area

plant community with a recognized composition and uniform habitat and growth parameters

Dynamic complex of biotic community interacting with abiotic factors within an explicit space

a group of interacting ecosystems

a distinct type of biotic community supported and limited by certain abiotic environmental factors (more extensive than an ecosystem in breadth and complexity

Deserts, Grasslands/prairies, tropical rain forests, temperate forests, coniferous forests, tundra

All species and abiotic factors functioning as one unified ecosystem

Transition zone between ecosystems- sharing many species between the two systems

Materials that make up the bodies of living or once living organisms (differnet than organic compounds or organic food)

Materials that are made up of non-living or currently decaying organisms

Self feeding organisms (photosynthetic plants and bacteria and chemosynthetic bacteria; also called) that are classified as "producers" since they produce their own organic material from inorganic constituents in the enviornment through the use of external energy source

consumers and detritus feeders of organic materials to derive their energy

organisms that consume non-living organic material (fecal matter, dead leaves, dead animals, etc.), such as earthworms, ants, termites, and wood beetles

Specific type of detritus feeder (fungi and bacteria) that rot organic materials through secretion of digestive enzymes

primary consumers that feed exclusively on plants

consumers that feed on both plants and animals

Secondary consumers that feed exclusively on other consumers

Consumers that associate with another organism and feed off of it over an extended period of time

kind of place a species is adapted to live

Refers to what, where, when animals feed and find shelter and how they respond to abiotic factors

in many cases, ecosystems or species within ecosystems have the ability to avoid detrimental impacts or even benefit from disturbances

Maximum population that a given habitat can support without the habitat being degraded over time

Poor management of resources (FIRST trees, which led to water, soil) and an absence of environmental sustainability led to the fall of the civilization

understanding how the world works and how humans interact with it

the goal we should be working toward. a system or process that can be continued indefinitely, without depleting any of the material or energy resources required to keep it running

managing natural resources and human well-being for the common good

• 1. Groundwater supplies
• 2. Agricultural soils
• 3. Overfishing the oceans
• 4. Cutting forests faster than they can be regrown

Agriculture, Fishing, Forestry

Yes, because hurting these sectors would aslo hurt people economically and socially as well as environmentally. From an economic standpoint, significantly depleting natural capital of the ecosystem may result in economic growth in the short term, but result in long-term financial instability that extends to all sectors of the population. Environmental sustainability is the safest method of ensuring the perpetuation of a sound economy and society.

166 nations met in Kyoto, Japan in 1997 to negotiate a treaty to reduce emissions of CO2 and other greenhouse gases. Most of the countries agreed to reduce emissions by the year 2012. The United States and Russia withdrew however, justifying their resignation on the basis of unequal treaty requirements

a property whereby a process can be continued indefinitely without depleting the energy or material resources on which it depends

the taking of a biological resource (e.g. fishes, forests) that does not exceed the capacity of the resource to reproduce and replenish itself

a society that functions in a way so as not to deplete the energy or material resources upon which it depends. such a society interacts with the natural world in ways that maintain existing species and ecosystems

the sum of goods and services provided by natural and managed ecosystems, both free of charge and essential to human life and well-being

Carbon Dioxide; carbon dioxide poses the greatest concern to the future of the environment due to its chemical composition and behavior in the atmosphere. Carbon dioxide gas is transparent to incoming light from the Sun, but it absorbs infrared enrgy (heat) radiated from Earth's surface, thus slowing the loss of this energy to space. The absorption of infrared energy by CO2 warms the lower atmosphere in a phenomenon known as the greenhouse effect. the sun radiates solar energy on earth. the larger part of this energy (45%) is radiated back into space. Greehouse gases in the atmosphere contribute to global warming by adsorption and reflection of atmospheric and solar energy. This natural phenomenon is what we call the greenhouse effect.

"Some disturbances can become so profound that they can overcome normal resilience mechanisms and create an entirely new and far less useful ecosystem (in terms of ecosystem capital). the new ecosystem may have its own pathological resilience mechanisms, which may resist restoration"

the process of making observations and logically integrating those observations into a model of how the world works. often involves observations, forming hypotheses from observations, experimenting, and conducting further testing for confirmation

infromation presented as valid science but unsupported by peer-reviewed research. often, politically motivated and biased results are selected to promote a particular point of view. (ex: picking and choosing only results supporting your idea, politically motivated distrotions of infromation, publication fo results in unreviewed books or journals)

60%

Deserts, Grasslands and Prairies, Tropical Rain forests, Temperate Forest, Deciduous Forests, Tundra

• 1. coastal/ marine systems
• 2. Freshwater systems
• 3. agricultural lands
• 4. grasslands
• 5. forests

Both civil and external war weakened the stability of the ancient civilizaitons. Many of these great empires also experienced rapid geographical and populaiton growth that exceeded the ability of the government to effectiviely resond to the growin needs and rising concerns. corruption of officials, divided loyalties (decentralized authority) and the decay of legal and moral restraints may have also contribute to the downfall of these ancient nations. some scholars attribute the decline of these historic societies in part to the rise of certain religions, such as Christianity. Some believe that the emergence of these sprouting theologies created conflicts of interest and detracted from a primary loyalty to established government. Some of the religious practices such as human and animal sacrifice may have eventally contributed to ultimate societal decay

A centrally planned economy is characteristic of socialism/ communism, and the free-market ecconomy is characteristic of democracies. in a free market economy, the market itself determines what will be exchanged. Goods and services are offered in a market that is free from governmetn interference and completely open to competition. the free market economic system is thought to be at its best when left completely alone. in a centrally planned economy, the rulers make all the basic decisions regarding what and how much will be produced where and by whom. the government owns most industries and the workers often lack the freedom to choose or change jobs.

the natural assets and services they perform. one form of the wealth of a nation is its complement of natural capital.

• Carbon- Air- Taken directly by plant leaves- Burning fuel moves it to air from underground
• Phosphorus- Rock- No atomospheric component- fertilizer use adds it to waterways
• Nitrogen- Soil- Bacteria drive cycle- fertilizer moves it to soil, burning moves it to air

the law stating that, in chemical reactions, atoms are neither created nor changed nor destroyed; they are only rearranged

Carbon, Hydrogen, Oxygen, Nitrogen, Phosphorus, Sulfur.

amino acids, vitamins, and various other mineral nutrients (chromium, iodine, sodium, and possilby arsenic, boron, and sillicon).

Nitrogen gas (N2) composes 78% of the atmosphere, oxgen gas contributes 21% and the remaining 1% is a combination of carbon dioxide and other inert gases, which have no biological importance

• Nobel: Argon, neon, helium, krypton, xenon
• Greenhouse (in order of highest to lowest concentration): water vapor, carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, ozone, chlorofluorocarbons.

Carbon, Hydrogen, Oxygen, Nitrogen, Phosphorus, Sulfur

Matter and Energy

• 1st Law of Thermodynamics: the empirical observation that energy is never created nor destroyed but may be converted from one form to another
• 2nd Law: the empirical observaiton that in every energy conversion, some of the energy is converted to heat and some heat always escapes from the system because it always moves toward a cooler place. Essentially, every conversion of energy increases the entropy (disorder) of the universe. (you can never break even)

Entropy is a measure of the degree of disorder in a system, so increasing entropy means increasing disorder. Without energy inputs, everything goes in one direction only-toward increasing entropy.

Organic molecules genergally have higher potential energy than inorganic molecules and, as a result, are more likely to be involved in combustion. Most inorganic compounds, such as CO2 and water, are nonflammable because they have a very low PE. thus, the production of organic material from inorganic material represents a gain in potential energy.

Organic agriculture is an ecological production management system that promotes and enhances biodiversity, biological cycles and soil biological activity. it is based on minimal use of off-farm inputs and on managemetn practices that restore, maintain and enhance ecological harmony. Organic products are manufactured without the use of additives, artificial ingredients or irradiation.

the capacity of a physical system to perform work

the energy of motion

stored energy

the combination of a substance with oxygen a reaction in which the atoms in an element lose electrons and the valence of the element

the breakdown of sugar into an acid or alcohol

an oceanographic phenomenon that involves wind-driven motion of dense, cooler; and usually nutrient-rich water towards the ocean surface, replacing the warmer, usually nutrient-depleted surface water

an area of water where light penertrates so that photosynthesis can occur

leeching of nitrogen, plants and soil cannot absorb the nutrients, so the nitrogen goes into water sources

all of the organisms of a single kind

a major subdivision of family in the classification of organisms

any gas, liquid or soid that occupies space and has mass

the fundamental unit of all elements

a substance that is made up of one and only one kind of atom

the smallest unit of two or more atoms forming a compound

any substance (gas, liquid, solid) that is made up of two or more kinds of atoms bonded together

a weak attractive force that occurs between a hydrogen atom of one molecule and another atom (usually an oxygen) of another molecule

any hard, brittle, stone-like material that occurs naturally in teh earth's crust

all compounds that do no include carbon as an integral part of their structure

all compoudns that include carbon as an integral part of their structure

any organic compound that occurs naturally in nature

any organic compoudn that is "synthesized" or recreated by man

the sharing of a pair of electrons holds the atoms together in what is called a covalent bond. Covalent bonding leads to discrete units of two or more atoms bonded together. Units of 2 or more covalently bonded atoms are called molecules. Carbon has the ability to form 4 covalent bonds. Covalent bonding produces all natural organic molecules, which make up living things. Only a few elements have configurations fo electrons that lend themselves readily to the formation of covalent bonds

another way in which atoms may achieve a stable electron configuration is to gain additional electrons to compete the filling of an orbital or lose excess electrons in an incomplete orbital. in general, the max number of electrons gaind or lost is 3. unlike covalent bonding, ionic bonding does not lead to discrete molecules

advantage if less stable environment, smaller size, shorter life span, younger reproductive age, more offspring, little or no parental care, and wild fluctuations in population stability

advantage if more stable envrionment, larger size, longer life span, older reproductive years fewer offspring long and involved parental care and mostly stable population

Predation (+,-), Competition (-,-) Mutualism (+,+) commensalism (+,0) amensalism (0,-)

a density dependent limit is one that increases as population density increases-such as a disease or food shortage. conversely, as population density decreases, the environmental resistance lessens, allowing the population density decreases, the environmental resistance lessens, independent of the crowding of the population. A sudden deep freeze in spring, for example, or a fire are examples of this type of environmental resistance.

the minimum number of individuals of a given species that is required to maintain a healthy, viable population of teh species. if a population falls below its critical number, it will almost certainly become extinct.

• Isle Royale is an example that demonstrates the relationship between predator and prey in teh context of environmental resistance. Fewer wolves represent low environmental resistance and resulted in an increase in the moose population. More wolves, on the other hand, means higher predation on the moose and results in a lower moose population.
• St Mathews is an example illustrating plant-herbivore dynamics. Reindeer on the predator-free island experienced a population boom. Overgrazing lichens, a main food source, exceeding carrying capacity and lack of natural predators resulted in teh starvation and ultimate crash of the reindeer population. This case study highlights the important check and balance effect predators have on the ecosystem and on other species in particular

a species whose roel is essential for the survival of many other species in an ecosystem

interspecific competition is competition for resources between members of two or more species. Intraspecific competition, in contrast, is competition for resources between members of the same species

commensalism is a relation between two species in which one is benefited and the other is not affected. (African buffalo and bird example)

• 1) Adaption: The population of survivors may gradually adapt to teh new condition through natural selection
• 2) Migration: the surviving population may migrate and find an area where conditions are suitable
• 3) Extinction: Failing the first two possibilities, extinction is inevitable

Symbiosis is the intimate living together or association of 2 kinds of organisms. Parasitism is a subset of predation, one organism benefits and the other is harmed. Mutualism is a close relationship between 2 organisms from which both derive a benefit.

it is widely believed that plate tectonics (a theory espoused by Alfred Wegener) contributed to the diversity of species by means of natural selection and modification. The evolution of unique, endemic biota was a product of introduction to new climates, landscape, co-existing species, reproductive isolation and other relevant environmental factors.

"Combinations of private enterprise and governmetn policies have the potential to protect ecosystem capital and make it a profitable enterprise."

Socially desirable, Economically Feasible, Ecologically Viable. leads to Sustainable solutions

• (low PE) (high PE)
• 6CO2 + 6H2O + light --> C6H12O6 + 6O2 + 6H2O

• (high PE) (low PE)
• C6H12O6 + 6O2--> 6CO2 + 6H2O + energy

absorbs kinetic energy of light and uses it to remove the hydrogen atoms from water molecules

are proteins that promote the synthesis or breaking of chemical bonds (they speed up reactions)

• Glucose can be the Backbone/ structure used for making all other organic molecules that compose the plant
• Energy used to fuel cell activities. it is obtained via cell respiration
• A portion of the glucose produced may be stored for future use

Producers (primarily green plants) make high PE organic molecules for their needs from low PE raw materials in teh environment. This "uphill" conversion is possible due to the ability of chlorophyll to absorb light energy. Consumers, on the other hand, obtain energy for movement and growth from feeding on and breaking down organic matter made by producers.

Helps ensure regular bowel movements, lowers blood cholesterol levels, aids in weight loss, and may help prevent certain cancers

Some energy is lost

Dead plant and animal matter (largely cellulose)

Decomposers

they prevent accumulation of wastes in teh ecosystem; they also release nutrietns that are vitally important to the primary producers because it is the major source of nutrients in most ecosystems. Most energy in an ecosystem flows through the detritus food web.

• Yes, the relationship between Rhizobium adn a legume is a synergistic association in which the legume provides the bacteria (Rhizobium) with food and habitat and, in return, the legume gains a usable source of nitrogen.
• Synergism is the phenomenon whereby 2 factors acting together have a greater effect than woudl be indicated by the sum total of their effects separately (e.g. 2+3=9)
• Mutualism is a close relationship between 2 organisms from which both derive a benefit.

Solar

Light from the Sun (called the solar constant) is a form of pure energy; it contains no substance that can pollute the environment.

Like carbon, nitrogen possesses a gas phase; like phosphorus it acts as a limiting factor. the nitrogen cycle is otherwise unique. most notably, unlike any other cylce, bacteria in soils, water, and sediments perform many of the steps of the nitrogen cycle. Liek phosphorus, nitrogen is in high demand by both aquatic and terrestrial plants.

• Biological nitrogen fixation: through plants/ bacteria (Rhizobium and legumes)
• Atmospheric nitrogen fixation: lightening fixes nitrogen gas to ammonium form
• Industrial nitrogen fixation (Haber-Bosch): manufacture of fertilizer
• Combustion of fossil fules