Environmental Science (3) Midterm Study Guide
Directions: Using your notes, website, and textbook, go through and fill out this study guide. Make sure to fully
define and vocabulary and concepts.
Metric Unit: Length, Area, Volume, Density
o Metero Solido Gaso Liquido Weighto Masso Kilogramo Graduated Cylindero Metric System vs. English Systemo Area 32m x 3m = __________ (UNITS!)
o Volume 3m x 4m x 1m = __________ (UNITS!)
o Density Volume = 45m3
Mass = 5kg Density = ________________ (UNITS!)
o Metric Conversions 1km = ______m
 1m = ______cm
 1cm = ______mm
 1m = ______mm
 50cm = ______mm
 24mm = ______cm
 2 km = ______m
 1500mm = ______cm
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Understand the Branches of Science:
o Biology, Physics, Chemistry
o 4 Branches of Earth Science- Be able to apply each to a science undertaking/expedition (remember
the Mars Rovers example)
o Earth Science and Ecology (2 things each)
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Understand the Scientific Method
o Know the 5 steps
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o Be able to apply the scientific method to a given problem
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Meteorite Impact Hypothesis
o What is it?
o What is the evidence (at least 2 things…)?
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Experimentation
o What is it?
o What are needed in an experiment (variable, control, hypothesis)
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Define biotic, abiotic, organic, inorganic
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List the major biomes.
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Populations: Define the following…
o Populationo Population densityo Census-
o Plot censuso Sample censuso True censuso Transecto Mark-Return-recaptureo Be able to determine which sample method would be most appropriate for a situation
 What method would you use to determine the number of crickets in your yard?
 What method would you use to determine the number of teachers at PHS?
 What method would you use to determine the number of Oak trees in small patch of woods
behind school?
 Number of Hemlock trees in Swallow Falls State Park?
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o Limiting Factorso Carrying Capacity (K)o Be able to determine a carrying capacity graph
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List and describe limiting factors (7) using examples
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How do limiting factors affect an organism’s population?
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Give examples of how and why an organism’s population has changed. Understand the concept of carrying
capacity and population graphs. Know examples from the notes.
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Know the order and properties of the four layers of a mature deciduous forest.
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Explain and give examples of various communities and habitats. Be able to describe how populations of
certain species such as grouse, bluebirds, and deer have changed due to human influence
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Be able to create a food web using all the possible niches involved and recognize a feeding niche from a
chain. Be able to define all the possible niches that an organism can fill in a food web. Be able to cite
examples for each niche.
o Nicheo Habitato Predatoro Scavengero Carnivoreo Omnivoreo Herbivoreo Prey
o Parasite
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Be able to explain all the possible paths of energy and matter in an ecosystem. Diagram and explain the
concept of a biomass pyramid.
Water Cycle Know all 7 parts of the water cycle.
Carbon Oxygen Cycle Understand the processes that use oxygen and create oxygen.
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Understand the processes that create carbon/carbon dioxide.
Forest Succession
 Primary Succession
Secondary Succession-
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Example organisms for Succession?
Old Growth Forest/Multiple Use
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What is Multiple Use Management?
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Where is multiple use management used, where is it not permitted?
Managing a Hardwood Forest for Biodiversity
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What are the 4 conditions that a forest is managed for to maximize biodiversity
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List a species for each of the conditions (ex: grasslands support bluebirds)
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Describe the two practices that limit biodiversity
Forest Wars Questions
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What is a forest mosaic?
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How does fire affect a forest?
Introduced/Invasive Species
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What is an introduced species?
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What is an example of an introduced species that is not invasive?
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What makes a species invasive?
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Know the invasive species we discussed in class, their impact, and
Endangered Species
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Define: endangered, threatened, candidate, extinct
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What is the purpose of the ESA
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What is a HCP?
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What are some criticisms of the ESA
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What are 3 main causes of endangerment