environmental science reviewer.

environmental science.
 study of how nature works, how the environment affects us and vice versa, and how
we can live sustainably without destroying the earth
 an interdisciplinary science
ecology.
 the study of the relationships and vital connections between living organisms and their
physical environment
resources.
 source or supply from which benefit is produced
 has two types: renewable and non-renewable
ecological footprint.
 a measure of the land and sea productiveness that an individual or population needs to
produce the consumed renewable resources and absorb waste
 measured or expressed in standardized units of biologically productive area (in gha)
environmentalism.
 social movement for the protection of Earth’s life support systems
ecosystem.
 group of both living and non-living organisms that interact with one another in a
specific environment
 characterized by interdependence among organisms
environment.
 comes from Old French environ which means to surround or enclose
 has two components:
o biotic: living organisms
o abiotic: non-living things
levels of ecosystem organization.
1. organism (smallest)
2. population
3. community
4. ecosystem
5. biosphere (largest)
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environmental science reviewer.

law of tolerance.
 formulated by ecologist Victor Ernest Shelford
 states that the existence and abundance of a species are determined by whether the
levels of abiotic factors fall within the range that the species can tolerate
range of tolerance.
 optimum range: conditions where species thrive and experience maximum growth and
reproduction
 zones of stress: conditions slightly outside the optimum range where species can
survive but with reduced growth and reproduction
 zones of intolerance: conditions beyond the stress zone where species cannot survive
limiting factor.
 the presence or absence of several abiotic factors that limit ecosystem growth
 causes competition between individuals
types of ecosystems.
 terrestrial ecosystems:
o forest:
 covers 30% of the earth’s land surface and is incredibly vast and varied
 primarily made up of trees and other woody vegetation
 has three classifications: tropical temperate and boreal
o tundra:
 A wide expanse of land with no trees and a cold environment
 known for its extended winter season and brief summer periods
 predominantly located in Canada, Alaska, and Russia’s northernmost
regions
o desert:
 a dry region
 receives less than 10 inches of rainfall per year
 has extreme temperature fluctuations with hot days and cold nights
o grassland:
 characterized by vast expanses of grasses and occasional trees
 also known as prairies, steppes, or savannas
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 typically located in semi-arid areas or continental climates

 aquatic ecosystems:
o a vast ecosystem that covers approx. 70% of the earth’s surface
o includes environments:
 freshwater:
 rivers and streams
 lakes and ponds
 saltwater (marine)
why are biomes important?
 home to a wide variety of plant and animal species that can only be found in their
specific biomes
 regulates the earth’s climate
 provides important resources for human use
 helps regulate the water cycle

Energy flow
 nutritional relationship
- the transfer of nutrients from one organism to another within an organism.
 autotrophs
- organisms that use energy from the environment to synthesize their own food
from inorganic.
- most are compounds photosynthetic
- example: plants
 heterotrophs
- cannot synthesize their own food
- dependent on other organisms for their food
- example: animals & humans

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environmental science reviewer.

4 types of animals
o Herbivores
- plant-eating animals
- consumes producers (plants and algae)
o Carnivores
- meat-eating animals
o Omnivores
- animals that consume both plants and animals
o Decomposers
- break down remains and other wastes
- release simple inorganic molecules back into the environment
o types of decomposers
- scavengers consume soft tissues of dead animals
- detritivores consume detritus (dead leaves, animal feces, and other organic
debris)
- saprotrophs feed on remaining organic matter left after other decomposers
Food chain
- linear transfer of food or energy from one organism to the next
- trophic levels – major categories of feeding groups in a food chain
- producer > 1st level consumer > 2nd level consumer > …
Food web
- series of food chains interlinked

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environmental science reviewer.

ecological efficiency

Apex Consumers
0.01%

Tertiary Consumers
0.1%

Secondary Consumers
1%

Primary Consumers
10%

Primary Producers
100%

- percentage of usable chemical energy transferred as biomass from one trophic

level to the next
- energy pyramid
- law of conservation of energy

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environmental science reviewer.

Biogeochemical Cycles
- it is the natural pathways by which essential elements of living matter are
circulated.
- It refers to the consideration of the biological, geological, and chemical
aspects of each cycle.
- Elements within biogeochemical cycles flow in various forms from the
nonliving (abiotic) components of the biosphere to the living (biotic)
components and back.

1. Water Cycle
- continuous movement of water on, above, and below the surface of the Earth
though
- water is an amazing substance that is necessary for life on the earth
- there is a fixed supply of it on our planet
- the hydrological cycle, or water cycle, collects, purifies, and distributes this
supply of water

The Water Cycle

 Evaporation – water from oceans, lakes, and rivers turns into vapor and rises into the
atmosphere.
 Transpiration – water vapor is released from plants into the atmosphere.
 Condensation – water vapor cools and forms clouds.
 Precipitation – water falls from clouds as rain, snow, sleet, or hail.
 Percolation – water infiltrates the soil and replenishes groundwater.

The water cycle is crucial for sustaining life by:

 Distributing freshwater,
 Maintaining ecosystems,
 And regulating climate

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environmental science reviewer.

Ensuring the availability of water for drinking, agriculture, and natural habitats
while also influencing weather patterns and temperature.