Ch. 1 Ecology Vocab

Environmental Science

The study of the air, water, and land surrounding an organism or a community, which ranges from a small area to Earth's entire biosphere; it includes the study of the impact of humans on the environment.

Ecology

The study of interactions between organisms and their environment.

Agriculture

The raising of crops and livestock for food or for other products that are useful to humans.

Natural Resources

Any natural material that is used by humans, such as water, petroleum, minerals, forests, and animals.

Pollution

An undesirable in the natural environment that is caused by the introduction of substances that are harmful to living organisms or by excessive wastes, heat, noise, or radiation.

Biodiversity

The variety of organisms in a given area, the genetic variation within a population, the variety of species in a community, or the variety of communities in an ecosystem.

Law of Supply and Demand

A law of economics that states that as the demand for a good or service increases, the value of goods or services also increases.

Ecological Footprint

A calculation that shows the productive area of Earth needed to support one person in a particular country.

Sustainability

The condition in which human needs are met in such a way that a human population can survive indefinitely.