Exam 1: Philosophy and Fundamental Concepts

________ analysis evaluates change in open systems by examining the relative rates at which materials enter and leave a system.

Why is human population growth often considered the foremost environmental problem?

The concept of a land ethic maintains that we are responsible to the entire environment, not just to humans.

Earth systems science depends on the validity of the Gaia hypothesis.

The health of the Aral Sea has become compromised by extensive aquatic pollution.

What is average residence time?

________, a principle proposed by James Hutton in 1785, is often summarized in the phrase, "the present is the key to the past."

Environmental geology is particularly concerned with ________ geologic time.

________ growth implies that a constant percentage of humans are added each year.

Ducktown, Tennessee, suffered extreme environmental modification due to a large earthquake in 1811.

Humans are causing rapid extinction, leading to a reduction in biodiversity.

The principle of uniformitarianism can be extended to prediction of future natural hazards.

The ________ suggests that scientific certainty is not necessary in order to address a serious environmental problem.

An open system exchanges energy and materials with its surroundings.

What is uniformitarianism?

The concept of environmental unity states that one action causes subsequent actions in linked systems.

Large-scale ________ of Earth materials will be required to meet future resource demands.

________ is helping natural hazards to become catastrophes.

The scientific method begins with the development of a theory, which is then tested.