Free Printable Worksheets for learning Environmental Science at the College level

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Environmental Science

Environmental Science is an interdisciplinary field that examines the relationships between humans and the natural world. It encompasses concepts from biology, chemistry, physics, geology, and social sciences.

Key Concepts

Sustainability
- The ability to meet current needs without compromising future generations' ability to meet their own needs.
Biodiversity
- The variety and variability of life on Earth.
Climate Change
- A long-term change in the average temperature patterns that have come to define Earth's local, regional, and global climates.
Pollution
- The introduction of harmful substances or products into the environment.
Conservation
- The preservation and protection of natural resources.

Important Definitions

Species: A group of organisms that share common characteristics and can interbreed to produce fertile offspring.
Ecosystem: A community of living and non-living things that interact with each other in a particular environment.
Sustainable Development: Development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.
Renewable Resources: Resources that can be replenished over time, such as wind and solar power.
Non-Renewable Resources: Resources that cannot be replenished over time, such as oil and coal.

Environmental Challenges

Climate Change
Air Pollution
Water Scarcity and Pollution
Deforestation
Loss of Biodiversity
Plastic Pollution
Overfishing

Key Takeaways

Environmental science is the study of humans' impact on the natural world.
Sustainability, biodiversity, climate change, pollution, and conservation are key concepts in environmental science.
Renewable resources are important for sustainable development.
Climate change, air and water pollution, deforestation, loss of biodiversity, plastic pollution, and overfishing are environmental challenges that need to be addressed.

Here's some sample Environmental Science vocabulary lists Sign in to generate your own vocabulary list worksheet.

Word	Definition
Biodiversity	The variety of life in a particular ecosystem.
Climate Change	The long-term alteration of temperature and typical weather patterns in a place.
Conservation	The protection of animals, plants, and natural resources, esp. endangered species, from extinction or harm due to human activities.
Ecology	The branch of biology that deals with the relations of organisms to one another and their physical surroundings.
Ecosystem	A system that includes all living organisms in an area as well as its physical environment functioning as a unit.
Environmental Impact	The positive or negative effect that an industrial, agricultural, or technological process has on the environment.
Extinction	The death of a species or a group of organisms, resulting in the total elimination of that species or group from this planet.
Global Warming	The increase in Earth's surface temperature due to rising levels of greenhouse gases.
Habitat Degradation	The destruction or disturbance of a natural environment where an organism lives, such as a forest or a coral reef, causing the organism to no longer be able to survive there.
Land Preservation	The process of protecting natural land from being developed or destroyed.
Natural Resources	Materials such as fossil fuels or minerals that are found in nature and are necessary or useful to humans.
Pollution	The presence in or introduction into the environment of a substance or thing that has harmful or poisonous effects.
Renewable Energy	Energy that comes from sources that replenish themselves, unlike nonrenewable sources such as fossil fuels. Examples include solar, wind and hydroelectric power.
Sustainability	The ability of an ecosystem or a community to maintain a certain level of productivity indefinitely.
Sustainable Development	Development that balances current human well-being and economic advancement with resource management for the benefit of future generations.
Urbanization	The growth of cities and the resultant increase in the number of people living in them.
Waste Management	The process of collecting, transporting, processing, recycling or disposing of, managing and monitoring waste materials.
Water Conservation	The practice of using water efficiently to reduce unnecessary water usage.
Wilderness	An uncultivated, uninhabited, and inhospitable area.
Wildlife	Wild animals collectively, especially those native to a particular area.

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Environmental Science Study Guide

Introduction to Environmental Science

Define environmental science
List the different branches of environmental science
Explain the importance of studying environmental science

Environmental Systems and Ecosystem Ecology

Define an ecosystem
Describe the biotic and abiotic factors in an ecosystem
Explain the different types of relationships between organisms in an ecosystem
Define and describe the different trophic levels in an ecosystem
Explain the flow of energy and matter in an ecosystem

Biodiversity and Conservation

Define biodiversity
Explain the importance of biodiversity
Describe the threats to biodiversity
Explain the strategies for biodiversity conservation

Pollution and Human Health

Define pollution
Differentiate between point source and non-point source pollution
Explain the different types of pollution: air, water, soil, and noise pollution
Describe the effects of pollution on human health
Explain the strategies for pollution prevention and control

Climate Change

Define climate change
Describe the causes and effects of climate change
Explain the relationship between climate change and human activities
Describe the strategies for climate change mitigation and adaptation

Sustainable Development

Define sustainable development
Explain the principles of sustainable development
Describe the strategies for sustainable development
Explain the relationship between sustainable development and environmental protection

Environmental Policy and Law

Define environmental policy and law
Describe the role of international, national, and local laws and policies in environmental protection
Explain the implementation and enforcement of environmental laws and policies
Discuss the challenges and opportunities in environmental policy and law implementation and enforcement

Conclusion

Summarize the key concepts in environmental science
Discuss the importance of environmental science in addressing environmental issues and problems

Here's some sample Environmental Science practice sheets Sign in to generate your own practice sheet worksheet.

Practice Sheet: Environmental Science

Define the term biodiversity and explain why it is important to maintain biodiversity.
Describe the process of photosynthesis and explain why it is important for the environment.
Discuss the difference between renewable and nonrenewable energy sources, and provide examples of each.
Describe the greenhouse effect and its impact on climate change.
Discuss the causes and effects of ocean acidification.
Define the terms biome and ecosystem, and provide examples of each.
Explain how the water cycle works and its importance in maintaining the Earth's ecosystems.
Describe the process of eutrophication and its impact on aquatic ecosystems.
Discuss the sources and impacts of air pollution.
Define the terms sustainability and sustainable development and provide examples of how they can be implemented in industry and society.
Explain the concept of the carbon footprint and provide examples of ways individuals can reduce their carbon footprint.
Discuss the impacts of deforestation on biodiversity and the environment.
Define the terms renewable resource and nonrenewable resource, and provide examples of each.
Explain the risks and benefits associated with nuclear energy.
Discuss the impacts of climate change on human populations and the environment.
Describe the process of bioaccumulation and its impact on ecosystems and human health.
Explain the differences between weather and climate, and how they are interconnected.
Discuss the role of environmental policy in promoting sustainability and protecting the environment.
Describe the process of desertification and its impacts on ecosystems and human populations.
Explain how human population growth can impact the environment and contribute to environmental problems.

Sample Problem

Given the following data, calculate the average annual temperature:

Month	Temperature (°F)
January	32
February	37
March	44
April	55
May	65
June	75
July	80
August	79
September	69
October	59
November	48
December	37

Solution:

To calculate the average annual temperature, we need to add up the temperatures for each month and divide by 12 (the number of months).

First, we add up all the temperatures:

32 + 37 + 44 + 55 + 65 + 75 + 80 + 79 + 69 + 59 + 48 + 37 = 685

Then, we divide 685 by 12:

685/12 = 57.08

Therefore, the average annual temperature is 57.08°F.

Practice Problems

What is the most common type of pollution?
What are the three main types of renewable energy?
What is the greenhouse effect?
What is the difference between climate and weather?
What are the main sources of air pollution?
What is the difference between biodegradable and non-biodegradable materials?
What is the importance of biodiversity?
What is acid rain and what causes it?
What is the difference between global warming and climate change?
What are the main causes of water pollution?

Environmental Science Practice Sheet

What is the difference between renewable and non-renewable energy sources?
Describe the process of global warming and its effects on the environment.
What is the role of the ozone layer in the Earth's atmosphere?
Explain the significance of biodiversity and how it can be maintained.
What are the main causes of air pollution and how can it be reduced?
What is the meaning of the term “sustainability” and how is it applied in the field of environmental science?
Describe the process of acid rain and its effects on the environment.
What are the main sources of water pollution and how can it be prevented?
Explain the role of human activities in the depletion of natural resources.
What are the main environmental issues facing the world today and how can they be addressed?

Here's some sample Environmental Science quizzes Sign in to generate your own quiz worksheet.

Problem	Answer
What is the primary cause of global climate change?	human activities, mainly burning fossil fuels
What is the difference between weather and climate?	Weather refers to short-term atmospheric conditions in a specific area, while climate refers to long-term patterns of temperature, precipitation, and other weather-related factors across a region or the entire planet.
What is the role of decomposers in an ecosystem?	Decomposers break down dead organic matter and return nutrients to the soil.
What are the major causes of water pollution?	Agricultural runoff, industrial waste, sewage, and oil spills are among the main contributors to water pollution.
What is the greenhouse effect and how does it impact the planet?	The greenhouse effect is a natural process that occurs when certain gases in the atmosphere trap heat from the sun, which keeps the planet warm enough to support life. However, human activities such as burning fossil fuels have intensified this effect, leading to global warming and other negative impacts on the environment.
What is the difference between renewable and non-renewable resources?	Renewable resources are those that can be replenished naturally over time, such as solar energy or wind power, while non-renewable resources are finite, such as fossil fuels.
How does deforestation impact the environment?	Deforestation can lead to soil erosion, loss of biodiversity, disruptions to the water cycle, and increased greenhouse gas emissions.
What is a food chain and how does it relate to energy transfer in an ecosystem?	A food chain is a sequence of organisms in which each species serves as a source of food or energy for the next. As energy is transferred from one organism to the next, only about 10% of the energy is passed on to the next level, with the rest lost as heat.
What is the significance of the ozone layer?	The ozone layer is a layer of gas in the upper atmosphere that absorbs harmful ultraviolet radiation from the sun. Without this layer, life on Earth would be at risk from frequent exposure to harmful UV rays.
What is ecological succession and how does it occur?	Ecological succession is the process by which an ecosystem gradually changes over time in response to disturbances such as natural disasters or human activities. It occurs in stages, with different species gradually replacing others until a new stable ecosystem is established.

Question	Answer
What is the main cause of global climate change?	The main cause of global climate change is the burning of fossil fuels, which releases greenhouse gases into the atmosphere.
What are the three main categories of environmental pollution?	The three main categories of environmental pollution are air pollution, water pollution, and land pollution.
What is the most common source of water pollution?	The most common source of water pollution is agricultural runoff, which carries fertilizers and pesticides into rivers, lakes, and oceans.
What is the primary cause of air pollution?	The primary cause of air pollution is the burning of fossil fuels, which releases pollutants such as carbon dioxide, sulfur dioxide, and nitrogen oxides into the atmosphere.
What is the primary cause of land pollution?	The primary cause of land pollution is the improper disposal of waste, which can contaminate soil and groundwater.
What are the two main sources of energy for human activities?	The two main sources of energy for human activities are fossil fuels and renewable energy sources.
What are the three components of the natural environment?	The three components of the natural environment are land, air, and water.
What is the primary source of energy for most human activities?	The primary source of energy for most human activities is fossil fuels.
What is the most effective way to reduce air pollution?	The most effective way to reduce air pollution is to reduce the burning of fossil fuels and switch to renewable energy sources.
What is the most effective way to reduce water pollution?	The most effective way to reduce water pollution is to reduce agricultural runoff by using best management practices such as cover crops, buffer strips, and integrated pest management.

Environmental Science Quiz

Question	Answer
What is the process by which plants convert light energy into chemical energy?	Photosynthesis
What is the process by which plants convert carbon dioxide and water into glucose and oxygen?	Carbon fixation
What is the term for the transfer of energy from the sun to Earth?	Radiation
What is the term for the transfer of energy from the Earth to its atmosphere?	Convection
What is the name for the process of using the sun's energy to evaporate water from the ocean?	Evaporation
What is the name for the process of using the sun's energy to heat the air?	Heating
What is the name for the process of using the sun's energy to move clouds?	Advection
What is the name for the process of using the sun's energy to cause precipitation?	Condensation
What is the name for the process of using the sun's energy to create wind?	Turbulence
What is the name for the process of using the sun's energy to create atmospheric pressure?	Pressure gradient