Enviro 3/4

The aim addresses what exactly is the purpose of the experiment.

A hypothesis is an educated guess on the results of an experiment, predicting how the independent variable will affect the dependent variable.

The independent variable is the variable that is manipulated to determine its effect on the dependent variable.

The dependent variable is the variable that is measured and is theoretically affected by the independent variable.

Controlled variables ensure that the independent variable is the only factor affecting the dependent variable.

The control group is absent of the independent variable and serves as a comparison, while the experimental group is subjected to the independent variable.

Pros include establishing a cause-effect relationship between the independent and dependent variables and the potential for generalization if the experiment is valid.

Cons include the negative effects of extraneous and confounding variables, difficulty in regulation, and potential external invalidity due to artificial lab environments.

Biodiversity is crucial for ecosystem services (provisioning, regulating, supporting)

Ecologically sustainable development aims to meet the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.

A circular economy is an economic system aimed at minimizing waste and making the most of resources by reusing, recycling, and regenerating materials.

Life-Cycle Analysis is a method to assess the environmental impacts of a product throughout its entire life cycle, from production to disposal.

The natural greenhouse effect is the essential-to-life warming of Earth's surface due to natural greenhouse gases (CO2, water vapour, methane etc.) trapping heat in the atmosphere.

The enhanced greenhouse effect refers to the increased warming of the Earth due to human activities that increase greenhouse gas concentrations, excessively (causes climate change)

Climate models are used to simulate and predict climate change and its impacts based on various scenarios, informing future decisions or actions.

Energy sources which cannot be replenished by natural sources in a relatively short time (by natural sources)

Renewable energy sources include biomass, biofuels, solar, hydroelectric, wind, tidal, and geothermal energy.

Energy efficiency refers to the ratio of useful energy over the input energy, as a percentage.

Observation and collection of real-world, unmanipulated data.

To do good and act in the best interest of the individual, maximizing benefits.

The principle that harm should not outweigh the benefits and that harm should be minimized.

Being honest and true, committing to ethical research practices, and being open about methodology.

To be fair in all aspects, ensuring a fair distribution of costs and benefits.

Upholding and considering others' individual beliefs, differences, and views.

How close the experimental results are to a standard and accepted value.

How close the experimental results are to each other.

How well the experiment can be repeated under different conditions to achieve similar results.

How well the experiment can be repeated under the same conditions to achieve similar results.

Results that do not follow the expected trend or pattern.

Factors that cause changes in measurement or results, including errors or data collection limitations.

Inferences or suggestions that arise from the results collected.

Errors that consistently affect the accuracy of results, causing measurements to differ from the true value in the same direction.

Errors that result in measured values being equally likely above or below the true value, often due to fluctuations.

Mistakes made by the observer or researcher that can be detected by repeating the procedure.

Considering the impact of decisions on all people involved, affected or interested, both directly and indirectly.

Maintaining ecosystems and managing biodiversity while improving their ability to withstand environmental changes, and support themselves.

Ensuring that future generations have the same opportunities and well-being as the current generation.

It ensures that the current generation has good wellbeing and opportunities in a fair and equal way.

Whoever uses a service or resource should pay directly and proportionally to what they use, rather than shared across a group.

Using resources in a sparing manner without reducing the quality or quantity of the product made, while minimizing environmental impacts.

Before making decisions that could harm the environment, lack of scientific certainty should not delay preventative measures.

Anthropocentrism, Ecocentrism, Biocentrism, and Technocentrism.

It places humans at the central point and prioritizes their conservation.

It emphasizes the conservation of ecosystems as a whole, including both biotic and abiotic factors, while reducing importance of humans.

It advocates for the conservation of all life, treating all forms of life as equal.

It suggests that technology can solve environmental problems through scientific methods and practices.

Genetic diversity, species diversity, and ecosystem diversity.

It increases the likelihood of advantageous traits being present, enhancing resilience to environmental changes.

The ability of a species to bounce back and recover following an environmental change.

How well a species can withstand an environmental change.

Fire can decimate the surface and some higher roots, but ecosystems may bounce back and regrow from resilient roots.

Genetically diverse species are more resilient and resistant because individuals with advantageous traits have a higher chance of survival.

1. Regulating services (e.g., water purification, pollination) 2. Supporting services (e.g., nutrient cycling, photosynthesis) 3. Provisioning services (e.g., raw materials, food) 4. Cultural services (e.g., recreation, aesthetic value).

Dating is the process of using scientific techniques to determine the age of something.

Relative dating and numericaladiometric dating.

Relative dating compares strata (layers) to determine the relative ages of different things.

Radiometric dating uses radioactive isotopes to determine the exact age of a sample.

Relative dating establishes relationships between layers for estimates, while radiometric dating provides exact ages.

Regulating services balance ecosystems and maintain their flow, including water purification and flood control.

Supporting services are foundational processes necessary for ecosystem existence, such as nutrient cycling and soil formation.

Provisioning services are the materials and resources obtained from ecosystems, such as food and fresh water.

Cultural services provide social and cultural benefits, including recreation and connection to the land.

Endemic species are only found in one specific area or region.

A periodic change in surface water temperatures in the Pacific Ocean, affecting weather patterns.

Waters near the Americas get warmer, causing air to evaporate and tradewinds to travel towards the Americas. (Colder waters in Australia, hotter and drier here)

Waters near Australia get warmer, leading to increased rainfall and cooler temperatures in Australia.

The movement of tectonic plates due to convection currents, leading to shifting landmasses.

A closed frame, typically square, used to sample a specific area.

A line or path put through an area to monitor changes across a gradient.

Evidence like scat, tracks, burrows, and nests used to identify species.

A technique where individuals are captured, marked, released, and later recaptured to estimate population size.

N = (nM)/m, where N is the estimated population size, n is the number of marked individuals in the first sample, M is the size of the second sample, and m is the number of marked individuals in the second sample.

To measure species diversity, where D ranges from 0 (no diversity) to 1 (high diversity).

Inaccuracies in measurement due to the inclusion of species that touch the edge of a quadrat.

Quadrats are used for large areas to see changes over a region, while transects are better for monitoring changes along a gradient.

A species that survives only in captivity or cultivation.

Habitat destruction, Invasive species, Population growth, Pollution, Climate change, Overexploitation.

It leads to fragmentation, reduced genetic diversity, and degradation of ecological quality.

They out-compete native species, fill niches better, and can act as predators.

Increased resource consumption, climate change, and habitat destruction.

It can lead to bioaccumulation, acid rain, and reduced ecological quality.

Increased global temperatures, extreme climate events, and loss of coastal habitats.

Taking more natural resources than can be sustained, leading to habitat degradation and species loss.

Spread of disease, inbreeding, loss of symbiosis, and loss of pollinators.

To protect areas of high ecological significance and biodiversity.

They connect fragmented habitats, allowing species movement, reducing inbreeding, and increasing genetic diversity.

They may aid disease spread, pests, fires, cause genetic swamping, and be costly to maintain.

Species at the edge of a habitat are more vulnerable to threats and changes.

Moving plants and animals back to their original habitat or to a more suitable area.

It enhances resilience to environmental changes and reduces the risk of extinction.

They provide safe passage for species, mitigating vulnerabilities associated with habitat edges.

The gradual increase in concentration of substances, in an organism.

To keep a repository of genetic material, such as seeds and frozen material.

Habitat restoration, which includes repairing ecosystems through human intervention while considering ecological processes and population genetics.

Erosion is caused by moving water, air, and ice. Control methods depend on the ecosystem and type of erosion, such as planting vegetation to stabilize soil.

Endemic species are key species that fill ecological niches, and their disappearance alters unique ecological characteristics.

The factors that originally caused the endemic species to be driven out must be addressed to ensure successful reintroduction.

To regulate the trade of endangered species and ensure they are not subjected to commercial exploitation.

Not all nations are bound by the rules, and illegal trading and smuggling can occur.

It provides information on extinction risks, species range, habitat, ecology, population size, threats, and conservation actions.

Places of cultural, natural, or significant importance for future generations.

To oversee biodiversity monitoring, listing threatened species, preparing recovery plans, and managing invasive species.

To ensure Victoria's native species survive, thrive, and maintain genetic diversity.

By implementing state planning laws and preparing management plans for local parks and reserves.

It ensures that future generations can learn from and utilize natural and cultural heritage.

Planting trees and vegetation to stabilize soil and reduce erosion.

They allow the public to participate in environmental protection and influence conservation efforts.

It helps repair degraded ecosystems and supports the reintroduction of endemic species.

Enforcement issues, lack of international cooperation, and illegal activities.

Development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.

Economic, Social, Environmental.

Atmosphere, Biosphere, Lithosphere, Hydrosphere.

It regulates climate.

Everything that is living.

All the ground and minerals that make up Earth, including plate tectonics.

All water that makes up Earth, including water in the sea, underground, in the air, and in living organisms.

Local, national, and global stakeholders must be considered and consulted.

It encourages decision-making and helps promote responsible environmental practices.

They value natural spaces, wildlife, wetlands, and water quality, which affect aesthetics and recreation.

A technique where the costs (disadvantages) and the benefits (advantages) are identified and weighed against each other to make a conclusion on a project.

They protect and conserve biodiversity, value ecosystem health, and educate locals.

They create and enforce legislation, assess projects, and participate in decision-making.

By providing information to the community about projects, focusing on both positives and negatives.

By putting forward views, opinions, and ideas about development.

To balance the needs of the present with the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.

Food, Water, Energy, Population

Assess the long-term effects of policies on sustainability principles.

A technique that weighs the costs of an idea/product against its benefits.

A thing which can cause harm and negative effects on people or the environment.

The probability that a hazard will cause harm.

To provide details of the potential effects of substances or activities on humans and the environment.

Materials use, energy used, water consumption, and types/quantity of discharge (waste).

To determine the environmental effects of a proposal before it is approved and undertaken.

Social, environmental, and economic analyses of the project.

The balance between the energy Earth receives from the Sun and the energy radiated back into space.

The Sun goes through an 11-year cycle of solar maximums and minimums, affecting solar radiation and potentially influencing weather patterns.

Solar cycles do not account for global warming.

They can influence air and water circulation, wind patterns, ocean currents, and possibly cloud cover.

It absorbs solar energy and redistributes it with ocean currents across the Earth.

It absorbs solar energy during photosynthesis, which is used further along the food chain.

CO2 is essential for photosynthesis and contributes to the natural greenhouse gas effect.

Burning fossil fuels, livestock metabolism producing CH4, and production of chemicals like CFCs.

It is the process where greenhouse gases absorb and reradiate solar energy, essential for maintaining Earth's temperature.

Water vapour is the most significant greenhouse gas and the main natural greenhouse gas.

The Sun emits visible light, infrared light, and a small amount of ultraviolet light.

Albedo is the fraction of solar energy re-radiated from Earth to space, ranging from 0 (no reflection) to 1 (all energy reflected).

Higher albedo surfaces reflect more solar energy, while lower albedo surfaces absorb more, influencing temperature.

As ice and snow melt, more solar energy is absorbed by the low albeod water, increasing temperature and melting more ice thus causing a positive feedback loop.

Oceans store heat, distribute it through currents, and help stabilize global climate patterns.

Surface currents are created by wind patterns, Earth's rotation, and the shape of ocean basins.

The ozone layer absorbs ultraviolet light, while the greenhouse effect involves the absorption and reradiation of infrared light.

Losing high albedo surfaces leads to more solar energy absorption, increasing temperatures.

They help prevent the equator from becoming too hot and distribute heat towards the poles.

Thermohaline circulation is the movement of water caused by differences in water density, influenced by temperature (thermo) and salinity (haline).

Water density is affected by temperature (cold water is denser) and salinity (saltier water is denser).

Changes can lead to unexpected storms, hurricanes, and temperature fluctuations globally.

Ocean currents counteract the uneven spread of solar energy, leading to milder climates near water due to water's high heat capacity.

Air circulation occurs as warm air rises and cold air falls, creating breezes and influencing weather patterns.

Carbon sequestration is the storage of CO2 in carbon sinks.

Oceans dissolve CO2 from the air, forming carbonic acid.

Ocean acidification occurs when CO2 dissolves in seawater, forming carbonic acid, which lowers pH and affects marine life.

Increased CO2 leads to more H+ ions, which compete for carbonate ions, making it harder for organisms to form calcium carbonate shells.

Phytoplankton absorb CO2 during photosynthesis and contribute to the carbon cycle when they die and decompose.

Forests absorb CO2 during photosynthesis and store carbon in their structure, releasing it during combustion.

Deforestation releases CO2 as trees are cut down.

Increased acidity reduces the availability of carbonate ions, making it harder for organisms to form calcium carbonate shells.

Carbon is passed through the carbon cycle as plants and animals consume living matter, integrating carbon into their structures.

CO2 from the air dissolves in water to form carbonic acid (H2CO3), contributing to ocean acidification.

Water vapour.

The combustion of fossil fuels, expansion of agriculture reducing forests, and manufacturing of artificial greenhouse gases like CFCs.

A gas's potency is determined by its ability to absorb heat, its atmospheric lifetime, and its concentration.

GWP measures the impact of different greenhouse gases by comparing how much infrared light they can absorb over a specific timeframe relative to CO2, which has a GWP of 1.

Both involve the trapping of infrared radiation by greenhouse gases and the re-emission of visible light as infrared light.

The natural greenhouse effect is essential for life, while the enhanced greenhouse effect is harmful and leads to climate change.

Water vapour, Carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), and artificial gases like CFCs.

The increased burning of fossil fuels and the clearing and burning of forests.

Leaving vegetation to rot, burning biomass, garbage disposal, and raising ruminant animals like cows, sheep, and goats.

Chemical manufacturing, fertilizers, agriculture, burning biomass, and fossil fuel combustion.

Use of brown coal for electricity, large-scale mining for export, large-scale agricultural production for export, and high vehicle use due to population distribution and lack of public transport.

Ice core samples reveal information about past carbon dioxide and methane concentrations and past temperatures.

Paleobotany is the study of fossilized plant life in a geological context.

By analyzing the distribution of plant fossils and their markings on sedimentary rocks, scientists can infer past climate conditions.

Pollen carried by wind into water sources like lakes can provide information about past climate conditions.

The greenhouse effect is the warming of Earth's surface due to greenhouse gases trapping heat in the atmosphere.

Counting tree rings helps determine the age of the tree.

They provide insight into past climate changes and current climate issues.

To simulate Earth's complex patterns and understand global climate change.

They cannot predict how humans and animals will react to climate change.

Recent studies, scientific evidence, and climate modeling.

A scale from very low to very high confidence.

Increased risks from sea level rises, flooding, and more frequent storms.

They provide a more accurate simulation of Earth's conditions.

The global economy is expected to be negatively impacted.

It is predicted to be significantly reduced.

Insects and pests' distributions will change, affecting plantations.

Increased CO2 levels may lead to faster plant growth through photosynthesis.

Recurring events like migration, breeding, and pollination are being delayed or advanced.

Changes in insect populations, especially mosquitoes, could spread diseases like malaria.

Droughts, floods, and extreme storms.

Increased erosion, flooding, and saltwater contamination of underground water.

Water availability changes, faster growth due to CO2, and damage from extreme events.

Adaptation and mitigation.

Developing new methods to prepare and respond to the effects of climate change.

A cylinder of ice sampled from arctic/polar regions to make inferences about past climate

Genetic diversity may decrease, reducing resistance to environmental changes.

Altered species interactions may lead to unpredictable consequences.

They may go extinct or become critically endangered.

To reduce or entirely avoid greenhouse gas emissions to minimize and slow the rate of climate change.

By reducing personal electrical use.

It acts as a carbon sink.

Energy is the ability to do work, where transferring energy allows an object or system to perform useful work.

Power = Energy/time (measured in Joules per second or Watts).

Potential energy is stored energy based on position, while kinetic energy is energy of motion.

The ability for a resource to be replenished faster or at the same rate as it is used.

They cannot be replenished faster than they are consumed, as they are produced from ancient organisms.

Sophisicated, mathematical models which simulate Earth's conditions and interactions to make projections

Reliable power supply, abundant reserves, versatile applications, and inexpensive compared to new technologies.

Non-renewable, produces excess greenhouse gases, contaminates water, destroys habitats, and poses health risks.

It is extracted via drilling and processed through fractional distillation based on boiling points.

Only about 20-30% efficient, with the rest lost as heat.

Mostly methane, along with some ethane, propane, and butane.

A type of natural gas found near coal deposits, extracted using fracking.

The high-pressure injection of a mixture of sand, chemicals, and water to crack rock and extract natural gas.

Increasing the use of renewable energy helps reduce reliance on fossil fuels and lowers greenhouse gas emissions.

Through education and awareness programs.

They provide shade, reflect light, and absorb less heat.

Mechanical, chemical, heat/thermal, electrical, nuclear, and light.

Temperature is a measure of the average kinetic energy and speed of vibrating molecules.

25-30% efficient.

Nuclear energy is classified as fission and fusion.

Fission is the splitting of an atom's nucleus into smaller nuclei, releasing a large amount of energy, typically using Uranium-235.

Fusion is the process where two atoms collide and combine, releasing a very large amount of energy, and it occurs in the Sun.

Renewable energy sources are those that can be replenished faster or at the same rate as consumed, ensuring their supplies are abundant.

Biomass, biofuels, solar, hydroelectric, wind, tidal, and geothermal.

Biomass energy is energy derived from recently living organic matter, such as plants or animals.

Biomass energy can lead to deforestation, is often inefficient, and may contribute to food scarcity.

Biofuels are almost carbon-neutral, can be produced from organic waste, are biodegradable, and produce less particulate matter.

Biofuels may decrease food security, require land clearing for agriculture, and may be less energy efficient.

Solar energy can be collected using sunlight and specialized technology, such as heat collectors and photovoltaic (PV) cells.

A technique which considers the likelihood of the hazard and the severity/danger of the hazard. May use a risk matrix.

PV cells are hit by sunlight, which excites and free electrons, which creates a current (electricity)

Households can generate their own power, there are no greenhouse gas emissions, and government incentives may be available.

Solar energy is intermittent (relies on weather, location), requires batteries for storage, may need rare resources, and has a large upfront cost.

Wind energy is the energy derived from wind, which is caused by the uneven distribution of heat on Earth.

Wind turbines convert kinetic energy from wind into electrical energy using blades connected to a generator.

Wind energy is renewable, has little to no greenhouse gas emissions, is cost-effective, and reduces reliance on fossil fuels.

Wind energy is intermittent, depends on weather and location, may harm birds, and can be noisy.

Electricity generated from the movement of water, traditionally using waterwheels.

Hydroelectricity has no carbon emissions during operation, is renewable, has high energy output, and predictable energy output.

Hydroelectricity is intermittent, may damage the surrounding environment, and has high setup and maintenance costs.

Heat energy sourced from the Earth's core, utilizing high pressure and temperature.

Geothermal energy is renewable, provides consistent energy, has many uses, and is cost-effective in the long run.

Geothermal energy has high startup costs, is location-dependent, may release toxic gases, and can affect seismic activity.

A developing energy generation technology that uses hydrogen gas, which is energy-dense.

Hydrogen power has high energy content, can be potentially carbon-neutral, is versatile, and can be produced through electrolysis.

Hydrogen power is currently made from fossil fuels, is dangerous and flammable, hard to transport, and requires significant infrastructure.

The minimum amount of energy needed to supply an area continuously over a certain period.

Constant, reliable sources like coal, geothermal energy, nuclear energy, biomass, and sometimes hydroelectricity.

The maximum amount of energy an area or community will need in a certain timeframe.

Battery energy - solar, wind
Natural gas

Solar panels can be used locally with batteries to provide energy during peak load times.

Energy derived from the movement of tides, similar to hydroelectricity.

Tidal energy is renewable, has no carbon emissions during operation, and provides predictable energy output.

Tidal energy is intermittent, may damage the surrounding environment, and can be expensive to set up and maintain.

Energy storage, such as batteries, is crucial for managing the intermittent nature of renewable energy sources.

By adopting smart practices, such as wearing warmer clothes during winter to save on heating.

Policies like carbon pricing and government incentives for solar energy promote the use of renewable energy sources.

Fossil fuel combustion produces excess CO2, disrupting the carbon cycle by adding more CO2 than is naturally balanced.

They release previously trapped CO2 rapidly, leading to a net increase in atmospheric CO2 levels.

Biofuels are nearly carbon-neutral, releasing a low net amount of CO2 compared to fossil fuels, as they are derived from biomass that absorbs CO2 during photosynthesis.

Peak oil refers to the point at which oil production reaches its maximum rate, after which production will decline.

The 1st law states that energy is conserved

The 2nd law states that energy conversions are never 100% efficient, as some energy becomes degraded and less useful.

Energy conversion is never 100% efficient, and some energy is lost as less useful forms like heat or friction.

By multiplying the efficiencies of each step.

Fossil fuel combustion contributes significantly to the enhanced greenhouse effect due to the excess CO2 released.

Government incentives encourage the adoption of renewable energy technologies, making them more accessible and affordable.

Understanding energy efficiency helps in optimizing energy use and reducing waste in energy production processes.

As the population grows, the rate of fossil fuel consumption increases, leading to faster depletion of reserves.

Technological advances can improve extraction methods, potentially extending the life of fossil fuel reserves.

To return the land to its natural state and minimize environmental disruption caused by energy extraction.

Mechanical rehabilitation (moving parts of the mine) and biological rehabilitation (replanting or reintroducing life).

Filling areas where soil was lost or removing contaminated soil.

Spreading seeds in damaged ecosystems or adding ecosystem engineers like bugs and decomposers.

It ensures that the current generation can enjoy the benefits of energy production and share them evenly within communities.

It ensures that future generations have the opportunity to experience the same resources as the current generation.

Environmental, social, and economic factors must all be taken into account.

Using resources to produce the same quality and quantity of products while minimizing environmental impact.

To obtain the same amount of useful energy from the same input energy.

Building choices that utilize natural processes to use less energy and improve the reliability of the energy grid.

Wind, solar, geothermal, tidal energy, nuclear

High upfront costs and intermittent nature of some sources

Use energy-efficient appliances, adjust thermostats, and shift usage to non-peak hours.

By improving transport infrastructure, enhancing public transport, and providing financial incentives for energy efficiency.

It reduces overall energy consumption and stress on energy resources.

It raises awareness and encourages behaviors that lead to reduced energy consumption.

Using resources in a way that minimizes waste and promotes reuse and recycling.

To reduce energy losses during extraction, transport, processing, and refining.