Environmental Studies in Credo: Concepts

Study of the relationships of organisms to their physical environment and to one another.

Science of life. Biology includes all the life sciences - for example, anatomy and physiology (the study of the structure of living things), cytology (the study of cells), zoology (the study of animals), botany (the study of plants), ecology (the study of habitats and the interaction of living species), animal behavior, embryology, and taxonomy (classification), and plant breeding.

Scientific observation and study of the atmosphere, so that weather can be accurately forecast.

A geological theory according to which the Earth’s crust is composed of a small number of large plates of solid rock, whose movements in relation to each other are responsible for continental drift.

Scientific study of earthquakes and related phenomena, including the propagation of waves and shocks on or within the earth by natural or artificially generated seismic signals.

Mixture of gases surrounding a planet. Planetary atmospheres are prevented from escaping by the pull of gravity.

Combination of weather conditions at a particular place over a period of time - usually a minimum of 30 years.

Increase in average global temperature, amounting to approximately 0.74°C/1.3°F from 1906 to 2005. The gradual increase in the average temperature of the Earth’s surface and its atmosphere has been attributed to the greenhouse effect.

In the life sciences, action taken to protect and preserve the natural world, usually from pollution, overexploitation, and other harmful features of human activity.

Geological theory that the relative positions of the continents on the earth's surface have changed considerably through geologic time.

In ecology, a unit consisting of living organisms and the environment that they live in.

Any plant or animal species whose ability to survive and reproduce has been jeopardized by human activities.

General term for the processes by which the surface of the earth is constantly being worn away.

Slow gradual process of change from one form to another, as in the evolution of the universe from its formation to its present state, or in the evolution of life on Earth. Process by which life has developed by stages from single-celled organisms into the multiplicity of animal and plant life, extinct and existing, that inhabits the Earth.

In biology, the complete disappearance of a species from the planet. Extinctions occur when a species becomes unfit for survival in its natural habitat usually to be replaced by another, better-suited species. Extinction may also result from displacement or when the natural habitat is no longer suitable for the needs of the species (due to climate change, pollution, etc).

Phenomenon of the Earth's atmosphere by which solar radiation, trapped by the Earth and re-emitted from the surface as long-wave infrared radiation, is prevented from escaping by various gases (the ‘greenhouse gases’) in the air.

Exploitation of land for agricultural, industrial, residential, recreational, or other purposes. Because the United States historically has a laissez-faire attitude toward land use, the land has been exploited at will for economic gain. Only in recent decades have Americans realized that land is not a limitless commodity.

The continuous flow of nitrogen through the biosphere by the processes of nitrogen fixation, ammonification (decay), nitrification, and denitrification.

Or ozonosphere, region of the stratosphere containing relatively high concentrations of ozone, located at altitudes of 12-30 mi (19-48 km) above the earth's surface. Ozone in the ozone layer is formed by the action of solar ultraviolet light on oxygen.

Contamination of the environment as a result of human activities. The term pollution refers primarily to the fouling of air, water, and land by wastes (see air pollution; water pollution; solid waste). The concept of pollution consists of the inappropriate or undesirable mixing of items or elements that may in themselves be quite appropriate or desirable.

The process of recovering and reusing waste products—from household use, manufacturing, agriculture, and business—and thereby reducing their burden on the environment. Reusing a material not necessarily in its original form. The natural recycling of the substances required for life are the keystone of our existence on earth.

Smog (smŏg) [smoke+fog], dense, visible air pollution. Smog is commonly of two types. The gray smog of older industrial cities like London and New York derives from the massive combustion of coal and fuel oil in or near the city, releasing tons of ashes, soot, and sulfur compounds into the air. The brown smog characteristic of Los Angeles and Denver in the late 20th century is caused by automobiles.

Mass of fluid in whirling or rotary motion.

State of the atmosphere at a given time and place with regard to temperature, air pressure (see barometer), wind, humidity, cloudiness, and precipitation.