Environment
the sum of all the conditions surrounding us that influence life
Environmental Science
The field of study that looks at interactions among human systems and those found in nature
Ecosystem
A particular location on Earth with interacting biotic and abiotic components.
Environmentalist
Someone who pursues environment as politics. Like a lobbyist or an activist.
Environmental Scientist
Uses scientific method, observation and research
Human activities
Extinctions, hunting, ecosystem development, development, climate change, population growth
Ecosystem services
the process by which life-supporting resources such as oxygen production, clean water, timber, fisheries, and agricultural crops are produced.
Environmental Indicator
describes the current state of the environment
Environmental indicators help us describe the current state of an environmental system. The five key global environmental indicators are:
Biological diversity, food production, average global surface temperature and CO2 concentrations in the atmosphere, human population, and resource depletion.
Biodiversity
The diversity of life
Biodiversity exists on three scales
Genetics, species and ecosystems
Genetic Diversity
is the variety of genes among individuals of a population. Populations with high genetic diversity are better able to respond to environmental change.
Species
a group of organisms that is distinct from other groups in its morphology, behavior, or biochemical properties
Species Diversity
The number of species in a region or in a particular type of habitat.
Speciation
The evolution of new species
Background extinction rate
The average rate at which species become extinct over the long term
Food production
Our ability to grow food to nourish the human population
World grain production per person
Grain production has increased since the 1950s, but it has recently begun to level off.
Greenhouse gases
Gases in earth's atmosphere that trap heat near the surface. Helps to keep a stable temperature on Earth's surface.
Anthropogenic
Derived from human activities
Development
Improvement in human well-being through economic advancement.
Resource use in developed and developing countries
Only 20% of the world's population lives in developed countries, but that 20% uses most of the world's resources. The remaining 80% of the population lives in developing countries and uses far fewer resources per capita.
Sustainability
Living on earth in a way that allows humans to use its resources without depriving future generations of those resources.
Sustainable Development
development that balances current human well-being and economic advancement with resource management for the benefit of future generations
Biophilla
Love of life
Mono Lake
Water comes in it and only comes out through evaporationExtremely saltyIn CaliforniaThe natural water reservoir that feeds Mono Lake was being drained which made the Lake more salty and this made water levels come down.Terminal lake is a collection of water and it can only leave through evaporation.Brine shrimp. Alkali fly, microscopic algae, sandpipers, gulls and flycatchers. There are trillions of brine shrimp, the alkali flies are able to withstand the high alkaline waters, sandpipers and gulls and flycatchers migrate there to eat the flies and brine shrimp.