ESS
370 単語
単語一覧(370)
PerspectiveA way in which a situation is viewed and understood.
WorldviewA person’s overall way of understanding the world based on values and beliefs.
ValueA belief about what is important or desirable.
Environmental value systemA worldview that shapes how people respond to environmental issues.
EcocentricA nature-centred perspective that values ecosystems and ecological limits.
AnthropocentricA human-centred perspective that focuses on managing nature for human benefit.
TechnocentricA technology-centred perspective that believes innovation can solve environmental problems.
Intrinsic valueThe value something has in itself, regardless of its usefulness to humans.
Instrumental valueThe value something has because it is useful to humans.
StewardshipThe responsible management and care of the environment.
StakeholderA person or group affected by or interested in an issue.
SystemA set of interacting components.
ComponentA part of a system.
InputMatter, energy or information entering a system.
OutputMatter, energy or information leaving a system.
StorageA place where matter or energy is kept within a system.
FlowThe movement of matter, energy or information within or between systems.
TransferMovement of matter or energy without changing its form.
TransformationA change in the form or state of matter or energy.
Open systemA system that exchanges both matter and energy with its surroundings.
Closed systemA system that exchanges energy but not matter with its surroundings.
ModelA simplified representation of a real system.
FeedbackA process where the output of a system affects its future behaviour.
Positive feedbackFeedback that amplifies an initial change.
Negative feedbackFeedback that counteracts an initial change and stabilises a system.
EquilibriumA state where opposing processes are balanced.
Dynamic equilibriumA stable state where flows continue but the overall system remains balanced.
StabilityThe ability of a system to remain unchanged or return to its original state.
ResilienceThe ability of a system to recover after disturbance.
Tipping pointA threshold where a small change can cause a large and possibly irreversible shift.
Emergent propertyA whole-system feature that appears from interactions between parts.
SustainabilityThe ability to meet present needs without reducing future generations’ ability to meet theirs.
Sustainable developmentDevelopment that meets present needs without compromising future generations.
Natural capitalNatural resources and ecosystem assets that provide value.
Natural incomeThe sustainable yield or services produced by natural capital.
Ecological footprintThe land and water area needed to supply resources and absorb waste.
BiocapacityThe ability of an ecosystem to produce resources and absorb waste.
OvershootA situation where resource use exceeds the environment’s capacity to regenerate or absorb waste.
Environmental justiceFair treatment in environmental benefits and burdens.
Intergenerational equityFairness between present and future generations.
Intragenerational equityFairness among people living today.
Planetary boundariesLimits within which humanity can operate safely without destabilising Earth systems.
PollutionThe addition of a substance or energy to the environment faster than it can be made harmless.
BiodiversityThe variety of living organisms, including species, genetic and ecosystem diversity.
Ecosystem serviceA benefit that humans obtain from ecosystems.
Provisioning serviceA product obtained from ecosystems, such as food, water or timber.
Regulating serviceA natural process that controls environmental conditions, such as climate regulation or flood control.
Cultural serviceA non-material benefit from ecosystems, such as recreation, education or spiritual value.
Supporting serviceA natural process that supports other ecosystem services, such as nutrient cycling or soil formation.
ConservationThe protection and management of natural resources and ecosystems.
RestorationThe process of repairing a damaged ecosystem.
MitigationActions that reduce the causes or severity of an environmental problem.
AdaptationAdjustments made to reduce harm from environmental change.
Precautionary principleThe idea that action should be taken to prevent harm even when full scientific certainty is lacking.
SpeciesA group of organisms that can interbreed and produce fertile offspring.
PopulationAll individuals of the same species living in the same area.
CommunityAll populations of different species living and interacting in an area.
EcosystemA community of organisms interacting with each other and with their abiotic environment.
HabitatThe place where an organism lives.
NicheThe role of a species in an ecosystem, including how it uses resources and interacts with others.
Biotic factorA living factor that affects an ecosystem.
Abiotic factorA non-living physical or chemical factor that affects an ecosystem.
Limiting factorA factor that restricts population growth or distribution.
Carrying capacityThe maximum population size that an environment can support sustainably.
S curveA population growth curve that levels off at carrying capacity.
J curveA rapid exponential population growth curve that may overshoot and crash.
CompetitionInteraction where organisms use the same limited resource.
PredationInteraction where one organism kills and eats another.
MutualismInteraction where both species benefit.
QuadratA square frame used to sample organisms in a known area.
TransectA line or belt used to sample organisms along an environmental gradient.
Capture-mark-recaptureA method used to estimate the population size of mobile animals.
Lincoln IndexA formula used to estimate population size from capture-mark-recapture data.
ProducerAn organism that makes its own food, usually by photosynthesis.
ConsumerAn organism that obtains energy by eating other organisms.
Trophic levelA feeding level in a food chain or food web.
Food chainA sequence showing energy transfer from one organism to another.
Food webA network of interconnected food chains.
PhotosynthesisThe process by which producers use light energy to make glucose from carbon dioxide and water.
RespirationThe process by which organisms release energy from organic molecules such as glucose.
BiomassThe total mass of living organic matter in an organism, population or trophic level.
ProductivityThe rate at which biomass or energy is produced.
Pyramid of numbersA diagram showing the number of organisms at each trophic level.
Pyramid of biomassA diagram showing the biomass at each trophic level.
Pyramid of energyA diagram showing energy flow through trophic levels.
BioaccumulationThe build-up of a pollutant in an organism over time.
BiomagnificationThe increase in pollutant concentration at higher trophic levels.
Persistent pollutantA pollutant that remains in the environment for a long time.
BiodegradableAble to be broken down by living organisms.
Non-biodegradableNot easily broken down by living organisms.
Carbon cycleThe movement of carbon between the atmosphere, biosphere, hydrosphere and lithosphere.
Carbon storeA place where carbon is held.
Carbon fluxThe movement of carbon from one store to another.
Carbon sinkA store that absorbs more carbon than it releases.
Carbon sourceA process or store that releases carbon.
Fossil fuelA non-renewable fuel formed from ancient organic matter.
CombustionBurning, usually releasing carbon dioxide.
DecompositionThe breakdown of dead organic matter by decomposers.
DeforestationThe removal of forests.
ReforestationReplanting trees in an area that was previously forested.
AfforestationPlanting trees in an area that was not recently forested.
Carbon sequestrationThe capture and storage of carbon.
Greenhouse gasA gas that absorbs infrared radiation and contributes to the greenhouse effect.
Enhanced greenhouse effectThe strengthening of the greenhouse effect due to increased greenhouse gas concentrations.
Global warmingThe long-term increase in average global temperature.
Climate changeLong-term changes in climate patterns.
WeatherThe short-term condition of the atmosphere.
ClimateThe long-term average weather conditions of an area.
BiomeA large ecological region with a characteristic climate and vegetation.
InsolationIncoming solar radiation.
LatitudeDistance north or south of the equator.
AltitudeHeight above sea level.
PrecipitationWater falling from the atmosphere, such as rain or snow.
Atmospheric circulationThe large-scale movement of air that redistributes heat and moisture.
Hadley cellA circulation cell where warm air rises near the equator and sinks around 30 degrees latitude.
Ferrel cellA mid-latitude circulation cell.
Polar cellA high-latitude circulation cell.
High pressureAn area where air sinks, usually linked to dry conditions.
Low pressureAn area where air rises, usually linked to cloud and rainfall.
Ocean currentA large-scale movement of ocean water that transfers heat.
TundraA cold biome with low vegetation and often permafrost.
Tropical rainforestA hot, wet biome with very high biodiversity.
DesertA dry biome with very low precipitation.
GrasslandA biome dominated by grasses.
SavannaA tropical grassland with scattered trees.
ZonationThe distribution of species or communities along an environmental gradient.
SuccessionThe gradual change in species composition in an ecosystem over time.
Primary successionSuccession that begins on bare rock or a surface without soil.
Secondary successionSuccession that begins where soil remains after disturbance.
Pioneer speciesThe first species to colonise an area during succession.
Climax communityA relatively stable community reached at the end of succession.
Seral stageA stage in ecological succession.
Soil formationThe development of soil through weathering, decomposition and organic matter accumulation.
WeatheringThe breakdown of rocks in place.
ErosionThe removal and transport of soil or rock.
HumusDark organic material formed from decomposed matter.
Species richnessThe number of different species in an area.
Species evennessHow evenly individuals are distributed among species.
Simpson’s diversity indexA measure of diversity that considers richness and evenness.
EvolutionThe change in inherited characteristics of a population over generations.
Natural selectionThe process where individuals with advantageous traits survive and reproduce more successfully.
AdaptationA characteristic that improves survival or reproduction in a particular environment.
Selection pressureAn environmental factor that affects which individuals survive and reproduce.
FitnessThe ability of an organism to survive and reproduce in its environment.
MutationA random change in DNA that can create variation.
SpeciationThe formation of a new species.
IsolationSeparation of populations, which can lead to speciation.
Habitat lossThe destruction or removal of natural habitat.
Habitat fragmentationThe breaking of habitat into smaller isolated patches.
OverexploitationThe unsustainable use or harvesting of a species or resource.
Invasive speciesA non-native species that spreads and causes ecological harm.
Native speciesA species that naturally occurs in an area.
IUCN Red ListA system used to classify species by extinction risk.
EndangeredA species facing a high risk of extinction.
Critically endangeredA species facing an extremely high risk of extinction.
ExtinctNo individuals of a species remain alive.
In-situ conservationConservation within the natural habitat.
Ex-situ conservationConservation outside the natural habitat.
Captive breedingBreeding species in controlled conditions such as zoos.
Seed bankA store of seeds used to conserve plant genetic diversity.
ReintroductionReturning a species to an area where it previously lived.
Flagship speciesA species used to attract public support for conservation.
Keystone speciesA species with a disproportionately large effect on ecosystem structure.
Protected areaAn area managed to conserve nature.
Habitat corridorA strip of habitat connecting separated habitat patches.
Buffer zoneAn area around a protected area that reduces external impacts.
Edge effectChanges in conditions and species at the boundary of a habitat.
CITESAn international agreement controlling trade in endangered species.
RewildingRestoring natural processes and species to an ecosystem.
Trophic cascadeA series of effects through a food web caused by changes at one trophic level.
Hydrological cycleThe movement of water between the atmosphere, land and oceans.
FreshwaterWater with low salt concentration.
GroundwaterWater stored underground in soil or rock.
Surface run-offWater flowing over the land surface.
InfiltrationThe movement of water into soil from the surface.
PercolationThe downward movement of water through soil or porous rock.
AquiferAn underground layer of permeable rock or sediment that stores groundwater.
EvaporationThe change of liquid water into water vapour.
TranspirationThe loss of water vapour from plants.
CondensationThe change of water vapour into liquid water.
InterceptionWater caught by vegetation before reaching the ground.
Water scarcityA shortage of available freshwater to meet demand.
Physical water scarcityA lack of available freshwater in an area.
Economic water scarcityA lack of access to freshwater due to poor infrastructure or poverty.
Water securityReliable access to sufficient safe water.
DesalinationThe removal of salt from seawater.
IrrigationThe artificial supply of water to crops.
Drip irrigationA water-efficient irrigation method that delivers water directly to plant roots.
Over-abstractionRemoving water faster than it can be replenished.
AquacultureThe farming of aquatic organisms.
Wild capture fisheryThe harvesting of wild fish or aquatic organisms.
MSYThe largest catch that can be taken repeatedly without reducing the long-term productivity of a fish stock.
OverfishingHarvesting fish faster than they can reproduce.
Fish stockA population of fish used as a resource.
BycatchUnwanted species caught during fishing.
QuotaA legal limit on how much can be harvested.
Closed seasonA period when fishing is banned to allow reproduction.
Marine protected areaAn ocean area protected to conserve marine ecosystems.
Multi-trophic aquacultureAquaculture where wastes from one species are used by another species.
NitrificationThe conversion of ammonia to nitrite and then nitrate by bacteria.
AmmoniaA nitrogen compound in waste that can be converted to nitrate.
NitrateA soluble nitrogen ion used by plants and algae.
Water pollutionThe contamination of water by harmful substances or energy.
Point source pollutionPollution from a single identifiable source.
Non-point source pollutionPollution from diffuse and multiple sources.
EutrophicationNutrient enrichment of water that causes algal blooms and oxygen depletion.
Algal bloomRapid growth of algae due to excess nutrients.
Dissolved oxygenOxygen dissolved in water and available to aquatic organisms.
BODThe amount of oxygen required by microorganisms to decompose organic matter in water.
TurbidityThe cloudiness of water caused by suspended particles.
Indicator speciesA species whose presence or absence indicates environmental conditions.
BioindicatorA living organism used to monitor environmental conditions.
SoilA mixture of mineral particles, organic matter, water, air and organisms.
Soil profileA vertical section through soil showing different horizons.
Soil horizonA distinct layer in a soil profile.
TopsoilThe upper soil layer rich in organic matter and nutrients.
SubsoilThe soil layer below topsoil with less organic matter.
Parent materialThe rock or sediment from which soil forms.
Soil textureThe relative proportions of sand, silt and clay.
Soil structureThe arrangement of soil particles.
PorosityThe amount of pore space in soil.
PermeabilityHow easily water moves through soil.
LeachingThe removal of dissolved nutrients by moving water.
Nutrient leachingThe loss of soluble mineral ions such as nitrates from soil.
Soil fertilityThe ability of soil to support plant growth.
AgricultureThe production of crops or livestock for food and resources.
Food securityReliable access to sufficient safe and nutritious food.
Food insecurityA lack of reliable access to sufficient safe and nutritious food.
Commercial farmingFarming mainly for sale and profit.
Subsistence farmingFarming mainly to feed the farmer and family.
MonocultureThe cultivation of a single crop species over an area.
PolycultureThe cultivation of multiple crop species in the same area.
Crop rotationGrowing different crops in sequence to maintain fertility and reduce pests.
Cover cropA crop grown to protect and improve soil.
TerracingCreating stepped fields on slopes to reduce erosion.
Contour ploughingPloughing along contour lines to reduce run-off and erosion.
WindbreakA row of trees or plants used to reduce wind erosion.
MulchingCovering soil to reduce evaporation, erosion and weed growth.
OvergrazingGrazing that removes vegetation faster than it can regrow.
DesertificationThe degradation of land in dry areas into desert-like conditions.
Soil degradationThe decline in soil quality.
SalinisationThe build-up of salts in soil.
Food wasteFood that is lost or discarded.
AtmosphereThe layer of gases surrounding Earth.
TroposphereThe lowest layer of the atmosphere where weather occurs.
StratosphereThe atmospheric layer containing the ozone layer.
Ozone layerA layer of ozone in the stratosphere that absorbs harmful UV radiation.
AlbedoThe reflectivity of a surface.
RadiationEnergy transferred as electromagnetic waves.
Infrared radiationHeat radiation emitted by Earth.
Climate modelA computer model used to simulate and predict climate.
Proxy dataIndirect evidence used to reconstruct past environmental conditions.
Ice coreA cylinder of ice used as proxy evidence of past climate.
Tree ringA growth ring used as proxy evidence of past climate conditions.
Temperature anomalyThe difference from a long-term average temperature.
Ice-albedo feedbackPositive feedback where melting ice lowers albedo and increases warming.
PermafrostPermanently frozen ground.
Sea-level riseAn increase in average sea level.
Saltwater intrusionThe movement of seawater into freshwater systems.
Extreme weatherUnusual or severe weather events.
Climate justiceFairness in responsibility and impacts related to climate change.
VulnerabilityThe degree to which people or systems are likely to be harmed.
Adaptive capacityThe ability to adjust to environmental change.
DecarbonizationThe reduction of carbon dioxide emissions from human activities.
Carbon taxA tax on carbon emissions to encourage reductions.
Carbon tradingA system where emission allowances can be bought and sold.
Net zeroA balance between greenhouse gas emissions released and removed.
Carbon footprintThe total greenhouse gas emissions caused by a person, product or activity.
CCSCarbon capture and storage, where carbon dioxide is captured and stored underground.
GeoengineeringLarge-scale technological intervention in Earth systems to reduce climate change.
Solar radiation managementGeoengineering that aims to reflect more sunlight away from Earth.
UNFCCCAn international treaty framework for addressing climate change.
IPCCA scientific body that assesses climate change research.
Paris AgreementAn international agreement aiming to limit global warming.
NDCA country’s national climate action pledge under the Paris Agreement.
Free-rider problemWhen a country benefits from others’ actions without contributing itself.
Tragedy of the commonsA situation where individuals overuse a shared resource for personal benefit.
UV radiationUltraviolet radiation from the Sun.
UVALonger-wavelength ultraviolet radiation that can damage skin.
UVBUltraviolet radiation that can cause sunburn and is partly absorbed by ozone.
UVCHigh-energy ultraviolet radiation mostly absorbed by the atmosphere.
OzoneO₃, a molecule made of three oxygen atoms.
ODSA substance that depletes the ozone layer.
CFCA chlorine-containing compound that destroys stratospheric ozone.
Chlorine radicalA reactive chlorine atom that catalytically destroys ozone.
Dobson unitA unit measuring the amount of ozone in a vertical column of atmosphere.
Montreal ProtocolAn international agreement to phase out ozone-depleting substances.
Kigali AmendmentAn agreement to reduce HFCs due to their climate impact.
Natural resourceA material or service from nature that humans use.
Renewable resourceA resource that can be replenished naturally if managed sustainably.
Non-renewable resourceA resource that is finite or forms too slowly to be replaced on human timescales.
Resource securityReliable access to necessary resources.
Resource depletionThe reduction or exhaustion of natural resources.
EIAA process used to assess likely environmental impacts before a project begins.
Circular economyAn economic system designed to reduce waste and reuse materials.
Linear economyAn economic system based on take, make and dispose.
Energy sourceA source from which useful energy can be obtained.
Renewable energyEnergy from sources that are naturally replenished.
Non-renewable energyEnergy from finite resources such as fossil fuels.
Fossil fuel dependenceReliance on coal, oil or natural gas for energy.
Energy securityReliable access to affordable energy.
Energy povertyA lack of access to affordable and reliable energy.
Intermittent energyEnergy supply that varies over time, such as solar or wind.
FrackingInjecting high-pressure fluid into rock to release oil or gas.
Green hydrogenHydrogen produced using renewable energy.
Energy transitionThe shift from fossil fuels to low-carbon energy systems.
Solid domestic wasteWaste produced by households.
Hazardous wasteWaste that is dangerous to organisms or the environment.
E-wasteDiscarded electronic devices.
Plastic pollutionThe accumulation of plastic waste in the environment.
MicroplasticVery small plastic particles.
LandfillA site where waste is buried.
LeachatePolluted liquid that drains from landfill or waste.
IncinerationBurning waste at high temperature.
Waste-to-energyBurning waste to generate useful energy.
RecyclingProcessing waste materials into new products.
Re-useUsing a product again without remanufacturing it.
CompostingThe decomposition of organic waste into compost.
Radioactive wasteWaste containing radioactive materials.
Half-lifeThe time taken for half of a radioactive substance to decay.
Population dynamicsChanges in population size and structure over time.
CBRThe number of births per 1000 people per year.
CDRThe number of deaths per 1000 people per year.
NIRThe natural increase rate calculated from births minus deaths.
TFRThe average number of children a woman is expected to have.
Replacement levelThe fertility rate needed to keep a population stable.
Doubling timeThe time it takes for a population to double.
Rule of 70A formula where doubling time equals 70 divided by growth rate percentage.
Life expectancyThe average number of years a person is expected to live.
HDIA measure of development using health, education and income.
Age-sex pyramidA graph showing the age and sex structure of a population.
Dependency ratioThe ratio of dependents to working-age people.
Population momentumContinued population growth due to a large young population.
DTMA model showing changes in birth and death rates as a country develops.
UrbanizationThe increasing proportion of people living in urban areas.
Urban systemA city viewed as a system with inputs, outputs, stores and flows.
Rural-to-urban migrationMovement of people from rural areas to cities.
Push factorA reason that encourages people to leave an area.
Pull factorA reason that attracts people to an area.
Urban sprawlThe outward spread of low-density urban development.
SuburbanizationThe movement of people and development from city centres to suburbs.
DeurbanizationThe movement of people away from urban areas.
InfrastructureBasic physical systems such as roads, water supply and electricity.
Built-up areaLand covered by buildings, roads and other artificial surfaces.
Urban heat islandHigher temperatures in urban areas than surrounding rural areas.
Impervious surfaceA surface that water cannot easily infiltrate.
Green infrastructureNatural or semi-natural features used to provide environmental benefits in cities.
Urban resilienceThe ability of a city to withstand and recover from disturbances.
Ecological planningUrban planning that treats the city as an ecosystem and integrates environmental limits.
Mixed land usePlanning that combines residential, commercial and other uses in the same area.
Compact cityA dense urban form designed to reduce sprawl and car dependence.
Social mixThe presence of different social groups within the same urban area.
Air pollutionThe contamination of the atmosphere by harmful substances or energy.
Particulate matterTiny solid or liquid particles suspended in air.
PM2.5Particulate matter with a diameter of 2.5 micrometres or less.
PM10Particulate matter with a diameter of 10 micrometres or less.
NOxNitrogen oxides produced by combustion.
SO₂Sulfur dioxide, often produced by burning sulfur-containing fossil fuels.
VOCVolatile organic compound that can react to form photochemical smog.
Primary pollutantA pollutant emitted directly from a source.
Secondary pollutantA pollutant formed when primary pollutants react in the environment.
Tropospheric ozoneGround-level ozone formed by reactions between NOx and VOCs in sunlight.
Photochemical smogAir pollution formed when sunlight causes reactions between NOx and VOCs.
Acid depositionThe deposition of acidic substances from the atmosphere in wet or dry forms.
Acid rainRain with a lower pH caused mainly by sulfuric and nitric acids.
Temperature inversionA condition where warm air traps cooler polluted air near the ground.
Cardiovascular diseaseDisease affecting the heart or blood vessels.
Respiratory diseaseDisease affecting the lungs or breathing system.
Catalytic converterA vehicle device that reduces harmful exhaust emissions.
Low emission zoneAn area where high-polluting vehicles are restricted.