5.G: Unit 5 - Glossary

Unit 5.2

air pollution

gaseous and particulate contaminants that are present in the Earth’s atmosphere

anthropogenic

human-caused

anthropogenic climate change

climate change due to human activities

background extinction rate

natural rate of extinction without human interference; estimated to be 1 per million species years.

biodiversity

a broad term for biological variety

biodiversity hotspot

geographical areas that contain high numbers of endemic species

biodiversity loss

the reduction of biodiversity due to displacement or extinction of species

charismatic species

species that attract humans' empathy and attention and are therefore deemed more important than others based largely on appearance

CITES

The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora, an international treaty in force since 1975

climate change

long-term changes to temperature and precipitation patterns

conservation biology

the field of study to preserve biodiversity

Convention on Biological Diversity

the leading international treaty to advance the conservation of biodiversity, within the context of a comprehensive agenda for sustainable development

COSEWIC

Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada; a consultative body with expert representatives from governments (federal, provincial, territorial, and Indigenous), universities, and non-governmental organizations

critically imperiled (Canada)

indigenous species that are faced with imminent extinction or extirpation throughout all or a significant portion of their Canadian range

ecosystem diversity

the number of different ecosystems on the planet or in a given geographic area

ecosystem services

human benefits and services provided by natural ecosystems

endangered

a species at great risk of extinction

ENGO

environmental non-governmental organizations

extinct (Canada)

any species of wildlife that was formerly indigenous to Canada but no longer exists anywhere in the world

extirpated (Canada)

any species or subspecies that was formerly indigenous to Canada but now only survives in the wild or elsewhere, usually in the neighboring United States

genetic diversity

the variety of genes present within a population

gross national product

the total domestic and foreign output claimed by residents of a country

HIPPPOC

threats to biodiversity from habitat loss, invasive species, pollution, population (human), predator loss, overexploitation, and climate change

imperiled (Canada)

any indigenous taxon that is likely to become critically imperiled unless factors affecting its status are reversed

indoor air pollution

exposures to particulates, carbon oxides, and other pollutants carried by indoor air or dust

invasive species

when non-native species undergo dramatic population increases in their new habitat and reset the ecological conditions in the new environment, threatening the native species that already exist there

IUCN

International Union on the Conservation of Nature

natural source

pollution not caused by people or their activities

non-native species

those that have been intentionally or unintentionally introduced by humans into an ecosystem in which they did not evolve

non-point source

many sources of air pollution located together whose individual emissions may be below thresholds of concern, but whose collective emissions can be significant

outdoor air pollution

exposures that take place outside of the built environment

overharvesting

the hunting and fishing of a species that is above what the organism can withstand to maintain a healthy population

point source

an emission source that does not move or can be tracked to one specific location

pollutant residence time

time a pollutant spends in a reservoir; a pollutant may be taken up for a long time within the ecosystem or absorbed into lithosphere or hydrosphere

preserve

an area of land set aside with varying degrees of protection for the organisms that exist within the boundaries of the preserve

primary pollutants

chemicals discharged into the air that have a direct impact on the environment

relative species abundance

absolute population size of a particular species relative to the population sizes of other species within the community

residence time

average time that a molecule spends in a reservoir

restoration

a mechanism for restoring and maintaining biodiversity in disturbed habitats

secondary pollutants

the result of primary pollutants reacting with other chemicals in the air

species diversity

the number and kinds of species in a location or on the planet

TRAFFIC

Trade Records Analysis of Flora and Fauna in Commerce - a non-profit that tracks the illegal trade in wildlife

trophic cascade

the consequences to an ecosystem due to the loss of apex predators

UNESCO World Heritage Site

includes 34 identified global biodiversity hotspots as well as important human cultural sites

vulnerable (Canada)

any indigenous species that is not currently imperiled but is at risk of becoming so because of small or declining numbers, occurrence at the fringe of its range or in restricted areas, habitat fragmentation, or some other reason

water pollution

contamination of water by an excess amount of a substance that can cause harm to human beings and/or the ecosystem

Unit 5.3

adaptation (climate)

the process of adjustment to actual climate and its effects

aerosol

small particles or liquid droplets in the atmosphere that can absorb or reflect sunlight

albedo

the amount of solar radiation reflected from an object or surface, often expressed as a percentage

anomaly (temperature)

a difference in average temperature measurement from a predetermined datum

anthropogenic climate change

the impacts of humans on the climate system

carbon capture and sequestration (CCS)

technology that captures and stores carbon deep beneath the Earth’s surface

carbon dioxide (CO₂)

the primary greenhouse gas that is contributing to recent global climate change; anthropogenic sources include the burning of fossil fuels, deforestation, burning of forests, changes in land use, cement manufacturing, agriculture, and land-clearing

carbon taxes

charges for burning fossil fuels

clathrates

frozen chunks of ice and methane found at the bottom of the ocean

climate-forcing

the process of greenhouse gases being released into the atmosphere

climate

long-term, predictable atmospheric conditions present in a specific area

climate change

the complete set of climate characteristics—temperature; precipitation; pressure systems; wind patterns; and oceanic currents—that are changing locally, regionally, and globally due to human influences

climate model

simulate the complex movements of energy and mass in the global circulation of the atmosphere; also examine the interactions of these processes with physical variables that are important aspects of climate, such as temperature and precipitation

climatologist

scientist who studies climate

coextinction

extinctions arising from the decoupling of mutualistic relationships

Conference of the Parties (COP)

a yearly gathering of signatories to the UNFCCC to renegotiate the terms and discuss climate change

confidence (climate)

grounded in an evaluation of underlying evidence and agreement

desalination

taking the salt out of seawater to make it potable

driver (climate)

cause of climate change

F-gas

a group of highly potent and long-lived greenhouse gases; used in coolants, foaming agents, fire extinguishers, solvents, pesticides, and aerosol propellants

fossil fuel

coal, oil, or natural gas; nonrenewable energy sources

fuel charge

part of the Canadian federal carbon pricing system; a regulatory charge on fossil fuels like gasoline and natural gas

global climate change

altered global weather patterns, including a worldwide increase in temperature, due largely to rising levels of atmospheric carbon dioxide

global warming

describes the general trend of increasing global temperatures seen under climate change

greenhouse effect

warming of Earth due to carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases in the atmosphere

greenhouse gases

atmospheric gases such as carbon dioxide and methane that absorb and emit radiation, thus trapping heat in Earth’s atmosphere

ground-level ozone (O₃)

potent greenhouse gas and air pollutant; anthropogenic sources include automobiles, power plants, and other industrial and commercial sources in the presence of sunlight

haze-effect cooling

effect of the gases and solids from a volcanic eruption on global climate

ice core

samples of polar ice obtained by means of drills that reach thousands of meters into ice sheets or high mountain glaciers; provide evidence of historical climate

Industrial Revolution

began in 1750 has improved the quality of life for many humans; powered by fossil fuels it has also disrupted the climate and biodiversity across the planet

Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC)

established in 1988; responsible for reviewing the scientific literature on climate change and issuing periodic reports on several topics, including the scientific basis for understanding climate change, humanity's vulnerability to observed and predicted climate changes, and what society can do to limit climate change and minimize its impacts

Kyoto Protocol

a non-binding agreement set in 1997 between signing and ratifying nations to reduce their GHG emissions

Little Ice Age

a slight cooling of a little less than 1°C was observed in North America, Europe, and possibly other areas of the Earth

Medieval Climate Anomaly

during this time period, slightly warmer weather conditions prevailed in many parts of the world

methane (CH₄)

a greenhouse gas 28x as potent as carbon dioxide; produced when bacteria break down organic matter under anaerobic conditions; anthropogenic sources primarily include agriculture, fossil fuel extraction and transport, mining, landfill use, and the burning of forests

Milankovitch cycles

cyclic changes in the Earth's orbit that may affect climate

mitigation (climate)

reducing emissions, and stabilizing the levels, of heat-trapping greenhouse gases in the atmosphere

nitrous oxide

a greenhouse gas produced through natural and human activities; anthropogenic sources include agricultural activities, industry, and fuel-burning

ocean acidification

the process of ocean waters' decreasing pH

ocean deoxygenation

because warmer water absorbs less oxygen, scientists predict that some areas of the ocean will see a 3–6% drop in dissolved oxygen concentrations under climate change

Output-Based Pricing System

part of the Canadian federal carbon pricing system; a performance-based system for industries

phenological mismatch

disruption of timed aspects of a species’ life cycle, such as migration and breeding

resilience (climate)

the capacity of social, economic, and ecosystems to cope with a hazardous event, trend, or disturbance, responding, or reorganizing in ways that maintain their essential function, identity, and structure

risk (climate)

a measure that provides a framework for understanding the increasingly severe, interconnected, and often irreversible impacts of climate change

sink

removes greenhouse gases from the atmosphere

solar intensity

amount of solar power energy the sun emits in a given amount of time

solubility

the ability of a substance to dissolve in water

source

supplies greenhouse gases to the atmosphere

UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC)

an international agreement to reduce emissions of GHGs put into place in 1992

weather

conditions of the atmosphere during a short period of time

Unit 5.4

anthropocentric ethic

using resources wisely so that future generations have access to them

biocentric ethic

using resources wisely to prevent ecological damage

Canadian Environmental Assessment Act (CEAA)

requires federal decision-makers, referred to as “responsible authorities,” to consider the predicted environmental effects of a proposed project before it is allowed to go ahead

Cumulative Environmental Effects EIA

a planning activity under the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act that includes the need to evaluate cumulative environmental impacts, or those resulting from the effects of a proposed undertaking within some defined area, in addition to those caused by any past, existing, and imminent developments and activities

ecological integrity

if maintained or enhanced, then a protected area is doing its job of maintaining biodiversity and ecological functions

Environment and Climate Change Canada

plays a central role in preserving and enhancing environmental quality in Canada

environmental ethic

places limits on human activities (e.g., uncontrolled resource use), that may adversely affect the natural world

environmental equity

a society and culture in which no single group or community faces disadvantages in dealing with environmental hazards, disasters, or pollution

environmental impact assessment (EIA)

a planning process that is used to help prevent environmental problems

environmental justice

the fair treatment and meaningful involvement of all people regardless of race, color, ability, national origin, or income with respect to the development, implementation, andenforcement of environmental laws, regulations, and policies

environmental literacy

a well-informed understanding of environmental issues

environmental non-governmental organizations (ENGOs)

role is to lobby government and industry about issues, to raise public awareness, and increasingly (because of shortages of governmental capability), to raise funds that can be used to prevent and repair environmental damage

environmental quality

related to the concentrations of potentially toxic chemicals and other stressors in the environment, to the frequency and intensity of disturbances, and to the effects of these on humans, other species, ecosystems, and economies

environmental racism

the institutional racism that exists for marginalized communities, including Indigenous peoples in many developed countries regarding landfills, incinerators, waste sites, and industry in neighborhoods

ethics

standards of conduct that determine right from wrong

frontier ethic

assumes that the Earth has an unlimited supply of resources

land ethic

a type of moral extensionism; 'enlarges the boundary of the community to include soils, waters, plants and animals'

moral extensionism

defines how far a person's values extend outside of themselves

precautionary principle

proceed cautiously in the face of incomplete knowledge about something’s potential harm

Species at Risk Act (SARA)

toughened the legal provisions in support of the protection of species listed by COSEWIC

strong sustainability

tradeoffs among natural, human, and social capital are not allowed or are very restricted

sustainability

maintaining human existence by meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs

sustainable development

progress made toward an economic system that is ultimately based on the wise use of renewable resources

sustainable ethic

assumes that the Earth’s resources are not unlimited and that humans must use and conserve resources in a manner that allows their continued use in the future

sustainable living

a lifestyle that attempts to reduce/eliminate an individual's (or society's) use of resources so as to be as close as possible to "net zero living"

United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)

principal international organization that deals with environmental matters

valued ecosystem components (VECs)

society perceives them to be important for one or more of the following reasons: they are an economically important resource, such as an agricultural crop, a commercial forest, or a stock of fish, mammals, or birds; they are a rare or endangered species or ecological community; they are of cultural or aesthetic importance

weak sustainability

tradeoffs are unrestricted or have few limits