Scribd
Upload
17 views

Reviewer 1

The document is an alphabetical guide to essential environmental science terms from A to Z. It defines terms like atmosphere, biodiversity, climate change, and others related to environmental issues and sustainability.

Uploaded by

Hinata Shoyo
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
17 views

Reviewer 1

The document is an alphabetical guide to essential environmental science terms from A to Z. It defines terms like atmosphere, biodiversity, climate change, and others related to environmental issues and sustainability.

Uploaded by

Hinata Shoyo
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 4

**Title: ABCs of Environmental Knowledge: An Alphabetical Reviewer**

**Introduction:**
Welcome to the ABCs of Environmental Knowledge! This alphabetical reviewer will
guide you through essential terms and concepts in environmental science. From A to Z,
let's dive into the fascinating world of environmental understanding.

**A - Atmosphere**:
The gaseous envelope surrounding the Earth, comprising layers such as the
troposphere, stratosphere, mesosphere, thermosphere, and exosphere.

**B - Biodiversity**:
The variety and variability of life forms on Earth, including species diversity, genetic
diversity, and ecosystem diversity.

**C - Climate Change**:


Long-term shifts in global or regional climate patterns, often attributed to human
activities such as the burning of fossil fuels and deforestation.

**D - Deforestation**:
The clearing or removal of forests, primarily for agricultural expansion, logging,
urbanization, or industrial development.

**E - Ecological Footprint**:


The measure of human demand on Earth's ecosystems, expressed as the amount of
biologically productive land and water needed to sustainably support a population's
consumption and waste production.

**F - Food Chain**:


A linear sequence of organisms, each dependent on the next as a source of food,
illustrating the flow of energy and nutrients through an ecosystem.
**G - Greenhouse Effect**:
The process by which certain gases in the Earth's atmosphere trap heat from the sun,
leading to warming of the planet's surface and lower atmosphere.

**H - Habitat Loss**:


The destruction, fragmentation, or degradation of natural habitats, resulting in the loss
of biodiversity and ecosystem services.

**I - Industrial Pollution**:


Contamination of the environment by harmful substances released from industrial
activities, including air pollution, water pollution, and soil contamination.

**J - Junk DNA**:


Non-coding regions of DNA that do not contain genes but may have regulatory functions
or evolutionary significance.

**K - Keystone Species**:


A species that plays a critical role in maintaining the structure, function, or stability of an
ecosystem, often disproportionately affecting its environment relative to its abundance.

**L - Land Degradation**:


The deterioration of land quality, usually caused by human activities such as
deforestation, urbanization, overgrazing, and soil erosion.

**M - Marine Pollution**:


Contamination of marine environments by pollutants such as plastic debris, oil spills,
heavy metals, and agricultural runoff.

**N - Natural Resources**:


Renewable or non-renewable substances and energy sources derived from the Earth's
natural environment, including minerals, fossil fuels, water, air, and biodiversity.

**O - Ocean Acidification**:


The ongoing decrease in pH levels of the Earth's oceans, primarily caused by the
absorption of excess atmospheric carbon dioxide, leading to adverse effects on marine
life and ecosystems.

**P - Population Growth**:


The increase in the number of individuals in a population over time, influenced by
factors such as birth rates, death rates, immigration, and emigration.

**Q - Quota Systems**:


Regulatory mechanisms that limit the quantity or frequency of resource extraction,
harvesting, or emissions to promote sustainability and conservation.

**R - Renewable Energy**:


Energy derived from natural resources that are replenished continuously or within a
human timeframe, such as sunlight, wind, water, biomass, and geothermal heat.

**S - Sustainable Development**:


Development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of
future generations to meet their own needs, balancing economic, social, and
environmental considerations.

**T - Tragedy of the Commons**:


A situation in which individuals or groups exploit shared resources to the point of
depletion or degradation, leading to negative consequences for all users.

**U - Urbanization**:
The process of population concentration in urban areas, often accompanied by the
expansion of infrastructure, industrialization, and changes in land use patterns.
**V - Voluntary Conservation**:
Individual or collective actions taken voluntarily to protect, preserve, or restore natural
environments and biodiversity, often driven by ethical, cultural, or aesthetic values.

**W - Water Scarcity**:


The lack of sufficient freshwater resources to meet the needs of human populations and
ecosystems, exacerbated by factors such as population growth, climate change, and
unsustainable water management practices.

**X - Xenobiotics**:
Synthetic chemicals or substances that are foreign to the natural environment, often
introduced through human activities and capable of causing harm to living organisms
and ecosystems.

**Y - Youth Environmental Activism**:


The involvement of young people in advocacy, education, and direct action to address
environmental issues, promote sustainability, and demand policy changes.

**Z - Zero Waste**:


A philosophy and lifestyle approach aimed at reducing, reusing, recycling, and
composting waste materials to minimize landfill disposal and environmental impact.

**Conclusion:**
Congratulations on completing the ABCs of Environmental Knowledge! Whether you're
an environmental enthusiast or a curious learner, understanding these terms is crucial
for navigating today's complex environmental challenges. Keep exploring, stay curious,
and continue your journey towards environmental literacy and stewardship.

You might also like