1. Intro to Environmental Science Ch. 1 and 2

2. I.What is Environmental Science ES? A.study of the interaction be humans & the env. B.Env includes 1.Abiotic – climate, air, water, soil, landforms, etc 2.Biotic – other living organisms and relationships difference betabiotic & biotic?

3. C.complex & interdisciplinary, fr multiple fields of study:

4. II.Key Themes of ES A.Humans & nature intimately connected 1.Success for 1 involves success for the other 2.Depend upon the environment for our existence and economies

5. B.Humans alter natural env 1.Convert land fr natural state into urban, suburban, & agricultural areas 2.Change chem of air, water & soil 3.global impacts – Gaia hypothesis

6. C.Human pop growth 1. more than doubled last 40 years - over 7 bill ppl alive today 2. competition for limited resources increases - famine, war, disease, & env damage 3. THE underlying env issue

7. D.Carrying Capacity & Sustainability 1.Max ppl Earth can support? 2.Currently using resources faster than they can be replenished (~1980) 3.“Tragedy of the Commons” – by Garrett Hardin (1968) 4.develop sustainability: a.Scientific – resources & ecosystems b.Economic – growth & development 5.Ques: balance economic growth with resource use and ecosystem preservation, so that future generations are not negatively affected?

8. E.Science & Values 1.Need both solve environmental problems 2.Knowing scientific data and understanding its implications 3.Justifications for valuing the env: a. Utilitarian – survival and economic b. Ecological – individual species and systems c. Aesthetic d. Recreational e. Inspirational f. Creative g. Moral h. Cultural

9. III.Thinking Critically about the Env A.fact vs. belief B.The scientific method 1.Make observations & develop ques 2.Gather background info 3.Form a testable hypothesis 4.Design a controlled experiment to test the hypothesis (3 rules): a. control b.Test only ONE variable c.largest sample size poss

10.  Hypothesis: Burning will increase frequency of prairie wildflowers. Which is the control group?

11. 5.Collect and record data a.Qualitative vs. quantitative b.Organize data in tables 6.Analyze and interpret data a.Graphically – manipulated and responding variables 7.Draw conclusions a.Determine whether the results support or reject the hypothesis b.Error analysis – uncertainties due to experimental errors 8.Repeat experiment and disseminate findings

12.  The Process of Science Problem recognition or question Hypothesis development Experimentation Analysis Share knowledge Make predictions Hypothesis supported? YES NO Other scientists New knowledge

13. C.Distinguish science from pseudoscience 1.Scientific theory - hypothesis that has been repeatedly tested and confirmed by multiple groups of researchers, and is widely accepted by the scientific community 2.Pseudoscience - untestable, lacks empirical evidence, or based on faulty reasoning

14. D.Challenges and Limitations of ES 1.Complex interactions of natural and human- dominated systems 2.No “control planet” to compare to Earth 3.Virtually every part of the planet has been altered by humans (e.g. lead in the Greenland ice sheet) 4.Subjectivity – “Paper or plastic?”

15. E.Addressing Environmental Issues Scientific assessment Risk analysis Public education and involvement Political action Evaluation

16.  Case Study: Lake Washington Scientific assessment Risk analysis Public education and involvement Political action Evaluation