1
Q
Circulation or exchange of nutrient elements between living and non-living components of the ecosystem.
A
Nutrient Cycle (Biogeochemical Cycle)
2
Q
Two phases of a nutrient cycle.
A
Biotic and Abiotic
3
Q
Main types of Nutrient Cycles.
A
Gaseous, Sedimentary, Hydrological
4
Q
Defined as the process where carbon atoms travel between the atmosphere and the Earth.
A
Carbon Cycle
5
Q
Three processes of the carbon cycle.
A
Photosynthesis, Respiration, Decomposition
6
Q
Process where plants use CO₂ to form sugars.
A
Photosynthesis
7
Q
Process where carbon compounds release energy and CO₂ is exhaled.
A
Respiration
8
Q
Process where microorganisms break down wastes and release CO₂.
A
Decomposition
9
Q
Gas that makes up 78% of Earth’s atmosphere.
A
Nitrogen (N₂)
10
Q
Process that converts N₂ into usable form for plants.
A
Nitrogen Fixation
11
Q
Conversion of ammonia to nitrate.
A
Nitrification
12
Q
Process where plants absorb nitrogen in the form of nitrate or ammonium.
A
Assimilation
13
Q
Conversion of organic nitrogen from waste/dead matter into ammonium.
A
Ammonification
14
Q
Reduction of nitrates back to nitrogen gas.
A
Denitrification
15
Q
Biogeochemical cycle that describes the movement of oxygen.
A
Oxygen Cycle
16
Q
Three main reservoirs of oxygen.
A
Atmosphere, Biosphere, Lithosphere
17
Q
Process that releases oxygen into the atmosphere.
A
Photosynthesis
18
Q
Process that uses oxygen for energy release in organisms.
A
Respiration
19
Q
Two other processes that use atmospheric oxygen.
A
Combustion, Rusting
20
Q
Released by the erosion of rocks and taken up by plants and fungi.
A
Phosphorus
21
Q
Main biological importance of phosphates.
A
DNA & RNA structure, ATP energy storage, bone and teeth strength
22
Q
Unlike other cycles, phosphorus does not enter this reservoir.
A
Atmosphere
23
Q
Element with atomic number 16, found in rocks, oceans, and atmosphere.
A
Sulfur
24
Q
Human activity responsible for large sulfur emissions.
A
Burning of fossil fuels and metal processing
25
Environmental effect of sulfur dioxide emissions.
Acid Rain
26
Continuous movement of water on, above, and below Earth’s surface.
Hydrological Cycle (Water Cycle)
27
Process of water changing from liquid to gas.
Evaporation
28
Process of water vapor changing to droplets.
Condensation
29
Condensed water vapor falling to Earth.
Precipitation
30
Water absorbed into the ground.
Infiltration
31
Direct change of ice to vapor.
Sublimation
32
Direct change of vapor to ice.
Deposition
33
Gradual process by which ecosystems change and develop over time.
Ecological Succession
34
Two types of ecological succession.
Primary Succession, Secondary Succession
35
Succession that begins in an entirely new habitat never colonized before.
Primary Succession
36
Succession that occurs on a previously colonized but disturbed habitat.
Secondary Succession
37
In primary succession, what is absent at the beginning?
Soil
38
In secondary succession, what is already present at the start?
Soil and seeds
39
Example of primary succession.
Newly formed volcanic island, bare rock, sand dunes
40
Example of secondary succession.
Abandoned field, burned forest, after deforestation
41
First organisms to colonize a bare area.
Pioneer Species
42
Common pioneer species on bare rock.
Lichens and Mosses
43
Sequence of stages in Primary Succession from bare rock.
Bare rock → Lichens/Mosses → Herbs/Grasses → Shrubs → Trees (Climax Community)
44
Example of pioneer species breaking down rock into soil.
Lichens (they secrete acids)
45
Example of island formed by volcanic eruption where succession occurred.
Lawahii Island
46
Why is secondary succession faster than primary succession?
Because soil, nutrients, and seeds are already present
47
Sequence of stages in Secondary Succession (disturbed vegetation).
Annual plants → Perennial plants → Shrubs → Softwood trees (pine) → Hardwood trees
48
Approximate time span of primary succession.
Hundreds to thousands of years
49
Approximate time span of secondary succession.
Decades to hundreds of years
50
Example of human activity that causes secondary succession.
Kaingin (slash-and-burn farming)
51
Negative effects of human exploitation on ecosystems.
Deforestation, soil erosion, floods/landslides, extinction of wildlife, resource depletion, pollution
52
Example of aquatic succession (lake to land).
Lake → Pond → Marsh → Meadow (land community)
53
What are the two main types of ecosystems?
Aquatic Ecosystems, Terrestrial Ecosystems
54
What are the two main types of aquatic ecosystems?
Freshwater, Marine
55
What are the two types of freshwater ecosystems?
Lentic (still/unmoving water), Lotic (flowing water)
56
Give examples of lentic ecosystems.
Lakes, Ponds, Swamps
57
Give examples of lotic ecosystems.
Rivers, Streams
58
What are the six main types of terrestrial ecosystems?
Temperate Deciduous Forest, Tropical Rainforest, Desert, Grassland, Taiga (Boreal Forest), Tundra
59
Where are the world’s largest tropical rainforests found?
South America, Africa, Southeast Asia
60
What is the main characteristic of deserts?
Extremely dry, little precipitation, plants and animals are well-adapted
61
What vegetation dominates grasslands?
Grasses
62
What type of terrestrial ecosystem is characterized by trees that shed their leaves annually?
Temperate Deciduous Forest
63
What are ecosystem services?
The multiple benefits provided to human society by ecosystems
64
What are the four categories of ecosystem services?
Provisioning, Regulating, Supporting, Cultural
65
Give examples of provisioning services.
Food, fresh water, timber, wood, fiber, medicines, genetic resources
66
Give examples of cultural services.
Education, aesthetic beauty, cultural heritage, recreation, spiritual and religious values, tourism
67
Give examples of regulating services.
Climate regulation, air quality, water regulation, disease regulation, pest control, pollination
68
Give examples of supporting services.
Habitat provision, primary production, soil formation, nutrient cycling
69
What happens when ecosystems are disturbed?
Loss or degradation of ecosystem services
70
Why are ecosystem services undervalued?
They often have no financial value, are unsustained, overexploited, degraded faster than recovered, or destroyed
71
Example of a city that invested in ecosystem services instead of building a filtration plant.
New York City (NYC Watershed Program)
72
How much did NYC spend on watershed protection instead of filtration?
About $1–2 billion (plus $209 million in 2008 for watershed management)
73
What are Payments for Ecosystem Services (PES)?
Incentives to landowners/farmers to manage land to provide ecological services
74
Four key ingredients of PES.
Defined service, buyer, seller, voluntary participation
75
What are the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)?
A blueprint adopted by the UN in 2015 to end poverty, protect the planet, and ensure prosperity by 2030
76
What are the 6 essential elements of SDGs?
People, Planet, Prosperity, Peace, Partnership, (and Action over 15 years)
77
Main objectives of the SDGs.
End poverty, protect the planet, ensure peace and prosperity for all
78
Example of SDG Goal 1.
End poverty in all its forms everywhere
79
Example of SDG Goal 2.
End hunger, achieve food security, improve nutrition, and promote sustainable agriculture
80
Example of SDG Goal 3.
Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages
81
Example of SDG Goal 4.
Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities
82
Example of SDG Goal 5.
Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls
83
Example of SDG Goal 6.
Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all
84
Example of SDG Goal 7.
Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable, and modern energy for all
85
Example of SDG Goal 8
Promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all
86
Example of SDG Goal 9
Build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization and foster innovation
87
Example of SDG Goal 10
Reduce inequality within and among countries
88
Example of SDG Goal 11
Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable
89
Example of SDG Goal 12
Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns
90
Example of SDG Goal 13.
Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts
91
Example of SDG Goal 14.
Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas, and marine resources
92
Example of SDG Goal 15.
Protect, restore, and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, manage forests, combat desertification, halt biodiversity loss
93
What is ethics?
A branch of philosophy that tries to define what is fundamentally right and wrong, regardless of cultural differences
94
What is environmental ethics?
Study of the ethical basis of environmental protection, rights of humans and other living beings, human responsibilities toward the natural world
95
When did environmental ethics originate?
First Earth Day, April 22, 1970 (USA), initiated by Senator Gaylord Nelson
96
Who is considered one of the founders of environmental ethics through his book A Sand County Almanac?
Aldo Leopold (1949)
97
What are key questions studied in environmental ethics?
Do humans own Earth? What are our responsibilities? Do non-human species have rights? Do we have duties to future generations?
98
Why is it important to study environmental ethics?
To develop love and appreciation for nature, create ethos for sustainable lifestyle, promote pro-environmental action, guide policymakers
99
Why should engineers study environmental ethics?
To design environmentally friendly systems, minimize adverse effects, address issues like e-waste, and meet current environmental needs
100
Major issue: What is deforestation?
Large-scale clearing of forests for agriculture, grazing, housing, industry, construction, and forest products
101
Effects of deforestation.
Loss of habitat and species extinction, climate change acceleration, more greenhouse gases, reduced oxygen production
102
Solutions to deforestation.
Careful forest management, avoid clear-cutting, plant replacement trees, Chipko movement
103
What is the issue with resource consumption patterns?
Excessive and wrongful use of resources, inequitable distribution, resource hoarding by rich, overconsumption
104
Example of wrongful resource use.
Hunting as a royal sport by kings and royal families
105
Solutions to wrongful resource use.
Equitable distribution, rational use, curb exploitation, ensure natural resources are a right for all living beings
