| Earth-sheltered housing
|
| Making use of the insulating properties of earth materials to site a house that is also oriented for passive solar heating; often involves earth berms built up against the building walls.
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| Easement
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| In reference to land protection, an arrangement whereby a landowner gives up development rights into the future but retains ownership.
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| Ecdysone
|
| The hormone that promotes molting in insects.
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| Ecocentric (ecologically centered)
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| A philosophy that claims moral values and rights for both organisms and ecological systems and processes.
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| Ecofeminism
|
| A pluralistic, nonhierarchical, relationship-oriented philosophy that suggests how humans could reconceive themselves and their relationships to nature in nondominating ways as an alternative to patriarchal systems of domination.
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| Ecojustice
|
| Justice in the social order and integrity in the natural order.
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| Ecological niche
|
| See niche.
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| Ecological backlashes
|
| Ecological effects of seemingly harmless activities, for example, the greenhouse effect.
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| Ecological development
|
| A gradual process of environmental modification by organisms.
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| Ecological economics
|
| Application of ecological insights to economic analysis in a holistic, contextual, value-sensitive, ecocentric man ner.
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| Ecological economist
|
| An econoniist who thoroughly integrates ecological and economic concerns; part of a new breed of economist who disagrees with classical economic theory.
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| Ecological equivalents
|
| Organisms that occupy similar ecological niches in different regions of the world.
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| Ecological niche
|
| The functional role and position of a species (population) within a community or ecosystem, including what resources it uses, how and when it uses the resources, and how it interacts with other populations.
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| Ecological pest management
|
| Control of pest populations through understanding the various ecological factors that provide natural control and, so far as possible, utilizing these factors as opposed to using synthetic chemicals.
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| Ecological restoration
|
| See restoration ecology.
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| Ecological succession
|
| The process by which organisms occupy a site and gradually change environmental conditions so that other species can replace the original inhabitants.
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| Ecologists
|
| Scientists who study ecology, i.e., the ways in which organisms interact with each other and with their environment.
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| Ecology
|
| The scientific study of relationships between organisms and their environment. It is concerned with the life histories, distribution, and behavior of individual species as well as the structure and function of natural systems at the level of populations, communities, and ecosystems.
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| Economic development
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| A rise in real income per person; usually associated with new technology that increases productivity or resources.
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| Economic exclusion
|
| The cutting of access of certain ethnic or economic groups to jobs, quality education, and other opportunities and thus preventing them from entering the economic mainstream of society¡Xa condition that prevails in poor areas of cities.
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| Economic externality
|
| A cost (environmental damage, illness) of manufacturing, road building, or other action that is not taken into account when determining the total cost of production or construction. A cost generally passed on to the general public and taxpayers; external cost.
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| Economic growth
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| An increase in the total wealth of a nation; if population grows faster than the economy, there may be real economic growth, but the share per person may decline.
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| Economic threshold
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| The level of pest damage that, to be reduced further, would require an application of pesticides that is more costly than the economic damage caused by the pests.
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| Ecosystem
|
| management An integration of ecological, economic, and social goals in a unified systems approach to resource management.
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| Ecosystem management
|
| The management paradigm adopted by all federal agencies managing public lands, involving a longterm stewardship approach to maintaining the lands in their natural state.
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| Ecosystem restoration
|
| To reinstate an entire community of organisms to as near its natural condition as possible.
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| Ecosystem stability
|
| Dynamic equilibrium of the ecosystem. Also a characteristic of ecosystems causing them to return to their previous state (resilience) and their resistance to change (inertia).
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| Ecotage
|
| Direct action (guerrilla warfare) or sabotage in defense of nature; also called monkey wrenching.
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| Ecotone
|
| Transition zone between adjacent ecosystems.
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| Ecotourism
|
| The enterprises involved in promoting tourism of unusual or interesting ecological sites.
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| Ecxurbs
|
| New developments beyond the traditional suburbs but from which most residents still commute to the associated city for work.
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| Edge effects
|
| A change in species composition, physical conditions, or other ecological factors at the boundary between two ecosystems. Some organisms flourish at this boundary and benefit from processes such as habitat fragmentation that increase edge area. Other organisms are harmed by increasing edge effects.
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| Effluent sewerage
|
| A low-cost alternative sewage treatment for cities in poor countries that combines some features of septic systems and centralized municipal treatment systems. A septic tank near each residence collects and processes solid wastes¡Xand must be pumped periodically just like a septic tank - while liquid effluent is collected and piped to a central treatment plant. This avoids drainfields in urban areas and yet allows sewer pipes and treatment plants to be downsized, saving money.
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| El Nino
|
| A major climatic phenomenon characterized by the movement of unusually warm surface water into the eastern equatorial Pacific Ocean. It results in extensive disruption of weather around the world.
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| Electrolysis
|
| The use of electrical energy to split water molecules into their constituent hydrogen and oxygen atoms. Hydrogen gas and oxygen gas result.
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| Electron
|
| A negatively charged subatomic particle that orbits around the nucleus of an atom.
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| Electrons
|
| Fundamental atomic particles that have a negative electrical charge but virtually no mass. They surround the nuclei of atoms and thus balance the positive charge of protons in the nucleus. A flow of electrons in a wire is synonymous with an electrical current.
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| Electrostatic precipitators
|
| The most common particulate controls in power plants; fly ash particles pick up an electrostatic surface charge as they pass between large electrodes in the effluent stream, causing particles to migrate to the oppositely charged plate.
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| Element
|
| A substance that is made up of one and only one distinct kind of atom. (Contrast compound.)
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| Embrittlement
|
| Becoming brittle. Pertains especially to the reactor vessel of nuclear power plants gradually becoming prone to breakage or snapping as a result of continuous bombardment by radiation. It is the prime factor forcing the decommissioning of nuclear power plants.
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| Emergent vegetation
|
| Aquatic plants whose lower parts are under water but whose upper parts emerge from the water.
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| Emigration
|
| Movement of people out of a country to establish residence elsewhere.
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| Emission allowance/Standards
|
| See discharge permit.
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| Emissions standard
|
| The maximum amount of a pollutant permitted to be released from a point source (see definition).
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| Emphysema
|
| A progressive, debilitating lung disease caused by smoking and pollution at work and in the environment. Characterized by gradual breakdown of the alveoli (see definition) and difficulty in catching one's breath.
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| Endangered species
|
| A species considered to be in imminent danger of extinction.
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| Endangered species
|
| A species of which the total population is declining to relatively low levels, a trend that if continued will result in extinction.
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| Endangered Species Act (ESA)
|
| The federal legislation that mandates protection of species and their habitats that are determined to bc in danger of extinction.
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| Endemism
|
| A state in which species are restricted to a single region.
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| Endocrine disrupters
|
| Any of a class of organic compounds, often pcsticides, that are suspected of having the capacity of interfering with hormone activities in wild organisms.
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| Energy
|
| The capacity to do work (that is, to change the physical state or motion of an object).
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| Energy
|
| The ability to do work. Common forms of energy are light, heat, electricity, motion, and chemical bond energy inherent in compounds such as sugar, gasoline, and other fuels.
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| Energy efficiency
|
| A measure of energy produced compared to energy consumed.
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| Energy flow
|
| The movement of energy through ecosystems starting from the capture of solar energy by primary producers and ending with the loss of heat energy.
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| Energy pyramid
|
| See pyramid of energy.
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| Energy quality
|
| The amount of useful work acquired from a given form of energy High-quality energy forms are concentrated (e.g., oil and coal); low-quality energy forms are less concentrated (e.g., solar heat).
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| Energy recovery
|
| Incineration of solid waste to produce useful energy.
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| Enrichment
|
| With reference to nuclear power, it signifies the separation and concentration of uranium-235 so that, in suitable quantities, it will sustain a chain reaction.
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| Entomologist
|
| A scientist who studies insects, their life cycles, physiology, behavior, and so on.
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| Entropy
|
| A measure of disorder. The second law of thermody namics applied to matter says that all systems proceed to maximum disorder (maximum entropy).
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| Environment
|
| The circumstances or conditions that surround an organism or group of organisms as well as the complex of social or cultural conditions that affect an individual or community.
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| Environmental accounting
|
| A process of keeping national accounts of economic activity that includes gains and losses of environmental assets.
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| Environmental ethics
|
| A search for moral values and ethical principles in human relations with the natural world.
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| Environmental hormones
|
| Chemical pollutants that substitute for, or interfere with, naturally-occurring hormones in our bodies; these chemicals may trigger reproductive failure, developmental abnormalities, or tumor promotion.
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| Environmental impact
|
| Effects on the natural environment caused by human actions. Includes indirect effects through pollution, for examl)le, as well as direct effects such as cutting down trees.
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| Environmental impact statement (EIS or ES)
|
| Document prepared primarily to outline potential impacts of projects supported in part or in their entirety by federal funds.
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| Environmental indicators
|
| Organisms or physical factors that serve as a gauge for environmental changes. More specifically, organisms with these characteristics are called bioindicators.
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| Environmental justice
|
| The fair treatment and meaningful involvement of all people regardless of race, color, national origin, or income with respect to the development, implementation, and enforcement of environmental laws and regulations.
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| Environmental literacy
|
| Fluency in the principles of ecology that gives us a working knowledge of the basic grammar and underlying syntax of environmental wisdom.
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| Environmental movement
|
| Refers to the upwelling of public awareness and citizen action regarding environmental issues that began during the 1960s.
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| Environmental phase (of the nutrient cycle)
|
| Part of the nutrient or biogeochemical cycle in which the nutrient is deposited or cycles through the environment (air, water, and soil).
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| Environmental racism
|
| Decisions that restrict certain people or groups of people to polluted or degraded environments on the basis of race.
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| Environmental resistance
|
| All the limiting factors that tend to reduce population growth rates and set the maximum allowable population size or carrying capacity of an ecosystem.
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| Environmental resources
|
| Anything an organism needs that can be taken from the environment.
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| Environmental Revolution
|
| In the view of some, a coming change in the adaptation of humans to the rising deterioration of the environment that brings about sustainable interactions with the environment.
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| Environmental science
|
| The systematic, scientific study of our environment as well as our role in it.
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| Environmentalism
|
| Active participation in attempts to solve environmental pollution and resource problems.
|
|
| Environmentalist
|
| Any person who is concerned about the degradation of the natural world and is willing to act on that concern.
|
|
| Enzymes
|
| Molecules, usually proteins or nucleic acids, that act as catalysts in biochemical reactions.
|
|
| EPA (U.S. Environmental Protection Agency)
|
| The federal agency responsible for control of all forms of pollution and other kinds of environmental degradation.
|
|
| Epidemiologic transition
|
| The pattern of change in mortality from high death rates to low death rates; contributes to the demographic transition.
|
|
| Epidemiology
|
| Study of disease and death in human populations, which attempts to find links between causes and effects through statistical methods.
|
|
| Epilimnion
|
| Upper, warm waters of a lake. Contrast with hypolimnion.
|
|
| Epiphyte
|
| A plant that grows on a substrate other than the soil, such as the surface of another organism.
|
|
| Equilibrium community
|
| Also called a disclimax community; a community subject to periodic disruptions, usually by fire, that prevent it from reaching a climax stage.
|
|
| Equilibrium theory
|
| The theory that ecosystems are systems maintained over time by natural checks and balances; it is challenged by many ecologists.
|
|
| Erosion
|
| The process of soil particles¡¦ being carried away by wind or water. Erosion moves the smaller soil particles first and hence degrades the soil to a coarser, sandier, stonier texture.
|
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| Estimated reserves
|
| See reserves.
|
|
| Estuarine zones
|
| Coastal wetlands and estuaries.
|
|
| Estuary
|
| A bay or drowned valley where a river empties into the sea.
|
|
| ETS (environmental tobacco smoke)
|
| ¡§Secondhand¡¨ tobacco smoke to which nonsmokers are exposed when in the presence of smokers.
|
|
| Eukaryotic cell
|
| A cell containing a membrane-bounded nucleus and membrane-bounded organelles.
|
|
| Euphotic zone
|
| In aquatic systems, the layer or depth of water through which there is adequate light penetration to support photosynthesis.
|
|
| Eutectic chemicals
|
| Phase-changing chemicals used in heat storage systems to store a large amount of energy in a small volume.
|
|
| Eutrophic
|
| Rivers and lakes rich in organisms and organic material (eu = truly; trophic = nutritious).
|
|
| Eutrophication
|
| Accumulation of nutrients in a lake or pond due to human intervention (cultural eutrophication) or natural iuses (natural eutrophication). Contributes to process of succession (see definition).
|
|
| Evaporation
|
| The process in which a liquid is changed to vapor (gas phase).
|
|
| Evapotranspiration
|
| Evaporation of water from soil and transpiration of water from plants.
|
|
| Evolution
|
| A theory that explains how random changes in genetic material and competition for scarce resources cause species to change gradually.
|
|
| Evolutionary succession
|
| The succession of different species that have inhabited Earth at different geological periods, as revealed through the fossil record. The process whereby new species come in through the process of speciation while other species pass into extinction.
|
|
| Exclusion principle
|
| Ecological law holding that no two species can occupy the exact same niche.
|
|
| Exhaustible resources
|
| Generally considered the earth¡¦s geologic endowment: minerals, nonmineral resources, fossil fuels, and other materials present in fixed amounts in the environment.
|
|
| Existence value
|
| The importance we place on just knowing that a particular species or a specific organism exists.
|
|
| Exotic species
|
| A species introduced to a geographical area where it is not native.
|
|
| Experimental group
|
| The group in an experiment that receives the experimental treatment in contrast to the control group, used for comparison, which does not receive the treatment. Synonym: test group.
|
|
| Exponential growth
|
| Increase in any measurable thing by a fixed percentage. When plotted on graph paper, it forms a J-shaped curve.
|
|
| Exponential increase
|
| The growth produced when the base population increases by a given percentage (as opposed to a given amount) each year. It is characterized by doubling again and again, each doubling occurring in the same period of time. It produces a J-shaped curve.
|
|
| Externality/External cost
|
| Any effect of a business process not included in the usual calculations of profit and loss. Pollution of air or water is an example of a negative externality¡Xone that imposes a cost on society that is not paid for by the business itself.
|
|
| Extinction
|
| The irrevocable elimination of species; can be a normal process of the natural world as species out-compete or kill off others or as environmental conditions change.
|
|
| Extirpate
|
| To destroy totally; extinction caused by direct human action, such as hunting, trapping, etc.
|
|
| Extractive reserves
|
| As now established in Brazil, forest lands that are protected for native peoples and rubber tappers who harvest natural products of the forests, such as latex and Brazil nuts.
|
|
| Exurban migration
|
| Refers to the pronounced trend since World War II of relocating homes and businesses from the central city and older suburbs to more outlying suburbs.
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