Environmental Systems

• Define systems within the context of environmental science

• Explain the components and states of matter

• Distinguish between various forms of energy 

• Calculate energy useage of common household items

• Explain the first and second law of thermodynamics

 

Ecosystem Ecology

• ​list the basic components of an ecosystem

• describe how energy flows through ecosystems

• describe how carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus cycle within ecosystems

• discuss the values of ecosystmes and how humans depend on

 

Global Climate and Biomes

• Explain the forces that drive global circulation patterns and how those patterns determine weather and climate

• describe the major terrestrial biomes

• describe the major aquatic biomes

 

Evolution of Biodiversity

• Explain the concept of biodiversity and how it is measured

• describe the ways in which evolution can occur

• explain how envrionmental change affects speciation and extinction

• explain the concept of an ecological niche