Environmental Science
Terms and Concepts

Each project must contain the proper use of at least five (5) terms and five (5) concepts from these lists.  To attain full credit for using these terms and concepts, you must have a deep uncerstanding of their meanings.  Throughout the semester, you should choose different terms and concepts to cover. (Some of the concepts have be adapted from Project Wild.)

Terms to consider in your work:(Click here to find definitions of these terms)

Ecosystem Niche Diversity Abiotic
Population Biome Habitat Biotic
Energy Pollution Renewable resources Wilderness
Biomass Biosphere Endangered species The Nitrogen Cycle
Interaction Hydrosphere Migration The Water Cycle
Eutrophication Extinction Whale species The Carbon Cycle
Adaptation Organism Photosynthesis Stewardship
Resource depeletion Cycle Wetland Food web
Producer Consumer Decomposer Vernal Pool
Non point souce pollution Estuary Watershed Bio-accumulation
Point source pollution Fossil fuels Greenhouse Effect Photosynthesis

Concepts to consider in your work:

IMPACT:
  • There is no such thing as a free lunch.
  • Humans can impact anything on Earth.
  • Everything impacts something.
  • We are all a part of the same system.
  • No two organisms can occupy the same niche in the same ecosytem.
  • We have met the enemy , and he is us. (-Pogo)
  • What goes around comes around.
  • All living things interact with their environment.
  • Wildlife serves as a barometer of environmental quality.
  • All forms of life are effected by environmental change.
  • Habitat is the key to wildlife survival.
  • We are living in a period of mass extinction.
    		•  IT'S JUST THE WAY IT IS:
  • Time changes everything.
  • Cycles are everywhere.
  • Earth's resources are finite.
  • Extinct is forever.
  • Diversity equals stability.
  • The sun is the source of all energy.
  • Endangered means there is still time.
  • Producers support nearly forms of animal life.
  • Wildlife habitat needs can oppose human habitat needs.
  • Each environment has characteristic life forms.
  • Each environment has a certain carrying capacity.
  • Individual decisions can impact the environment.
  • Local equals global.
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