NR 576 Final Exam Study Guide
1. Core Principles and Foundations
Overview of ecological concepts, sustainability, and environmental science
principles.
Key terminology and definitions (e.g., ecosystem services, biodiversity,
resilience).
Major environmental challenges and global trends.
2. Ecosystem Function and Services
Structure and function of ecosystems.
Types of ecosystem services: provisioning, regulating, cultural, and
supporting.
Case studies or examples demonstrating the value and threats to ecosystem
services.
3. Human Impact and Environmental Change
Key drivers of environmental change (e.g., population growth, land-use
change, pollution).
Effects of climate change on ecosystems and human health.
Strategies for mitigating and adapting to environmental impacts.
4. Natural Resource Management
Principles of sustainable resource management.
Methods and tools for managing water, soil, forests, and fisheries.
Role of policy and governance in resource conservation.
5. Environmental Policy and Law
Overview of major environmental policies and laws.
, Case studies of policy implementation and effectiveness.
The role of government agencies, NGOs, and international bodies in
environmental protection.
6. Data Analysis and Research Methods
Basics of ecological research and data collection methods.
Statistical tools and data analysis techniques.
Interpreting scientific literature and reports.
7. Conservation and Restoration Ecology
Conservation strategies and restoration ecology principles.
Approaches to biodiversity conservation and protected area management.
Challenges in balancing human needs with conservation goals.
8. Sustainable Development and Environmental Ethics
Concepts of sustainable development and the Sustainable Development
Goals (SDGs).
Environmental ethics: different philosophical perspectives on nature and
human responsibility.
Ethical dilemmas and case studies related to conservation and sustainability.
9. Emerging Issues and Future Directions
Advances in technology and innovation in environmental management.
Trends in renewable energy, climate adaptation, and green infrastructure.
Future challenges and potential solutions for global sustainability.
10. Climate Change Science and Policy
The science behind climate change: greenhouse gases, global warming
potential, and climate models.
, Key climate change impacts: rising sea levels, altered weather patterns,
biodiversity loss.
Global climate agreements: Kyoto Protocol, Paris Agreement, and their
implications for policy and action.
Climate change mitigation and adaptation strategies.
11. Water Resources Management
The hydrological cycle and the distribution of freshwater resources.
Water scarcity and its causes: overuse, pollution, climate change.
Techniques for sustainable water management: conservation, efficiency, and
treatment technologies.
Case studies on water management issues (e.g., droughts, water wars).
12. Soil and Land Management
Soil degradation: erosion, desertification, and loss of soil fertility.
Land use planning and zoning: balancing urban development, agriculture, and
conservation.
Sustainable agricultural practices: agroecology, no-till farming, crop rotation.
Soil conservation techniques: terracing, contour farming, reforestation.
13. Biodiversity and Ecosystem Conservation
Importance of biodiversity: genetic, species, and ecosystem diversity.
Threats to biodiversity: habitat destruction, invasive species,
overexploitation, climate change.
Conservation strategies: ex situ and in situ conservation, wildlife corridors,
gene banks.
The role of biodiversity in ecosystem stability and human well-being.
14. Waste Management and Circular Economy
Types of waste: municipal solid waste, industrial waste, hazardous waste, e-
waste.
, Waste management hierarchies: reduce, reuse, recycle.
Innovations in waste management: waste-to-energy technologies,
composting, landfill reduction.
The concept of the circular economy and its application in reducing waste
and promoting sustainability.
15. Environmental Health and Human Well-being
The relationship between environmental factors and human health.
Air and water pollution, toxic substances, and their impacts on health.
Public health policies and environmental justice: addressing environmental
health disparities.
Methods of risk assessment and management in environmental health.
16. Energy and Sustainability
Traditional energy sources vs. renewable energy sources.
The transition to renewable energy: solar, wind, hydro, geothermal, and
bioenergy.
Energy efficiency practices and technologies.
Energy policy: local, national, and international frameworks for sustainable
energy use.
17. Ecotourism and Sustainable Development
Principles of ecotourism: sustainability, environmental education, and
community involvement.
Impacts of tourism on natural and cultural resources.
Strategies for managing ecotourism: carrying capacity, stakeholder
engagement, conservation funding.
Case studies of successful ecotourism projects.
18. Environmental Economics and Policy Tools
The role of economics in environmental decision-making.
1. Core Principles and Foundations
Overview of ecological concepts, sustainability, and environmental science
principles.
Key terminology and definitions (e.g., ecosystem services, biodiversity,
resilience).
Major environmental challenges and global trends.
2. Ecosystem Function and Services
Structure and function of ecosystems.
Types of ecosystem services: provisioning, regulating, cultural, and
supporting.
Case studies or examples demonstrating the value and threats to ecosystem
services.
3. Human Impact and Environmental Change
Key drivers of environmental change (e.g., population growth, land-use
change, pollution).
Effects of climate change on ecosystems and human health.
Strategies for mitigating and adapting to environmental impacts.
4. Natural Resource Management
Principles of sustainable resource management.
Methods and tools for managing water, soil, forests, and fisheries.
Role of policy and governance in resource conservation.
5. Environmental Policy and Law
Overview of major environmental policies and laws.
, Case studies of policy implementation and effectiveness.
The role of government agencies, NGOs, and international bodies in
environmental protection.
6. Data Analysis and Research Methods
Basics of ecological research and data collection methods.
Statistical tools and data analysis techniques.
Interpreting scientific literature and reports.
7. Conservation and Restoration Ecology
Conservation strategies and restoration ecology principles.
Approaches to biodiversity conservation and protected area management.
Challenges in balancing human needs with conservation goals.
8. Sustainable Development and Environmental Ethics
Concepts of sustainable development and the Sustainable Development
Goals (SDGs).
Environmental ethics: different philosophical perspectives on nature and
human responsibility.
Ethical dilemmas and case studies related to conservation and sustainability.
9. Emerging Issues and Future Directions
Advances in technology and innovation in environmental management.
Trends in renewable energy, climate adaptation, and green infrastructure.
Future challenges and potential solutions for global sustainability.
10. Climate Change Science and Policy
The science behind climate change: greenhouse gases, global warming
potential, and climate models.
, Key climate change impacts: rising sea levels, altered weather patterns,
biodiversity loss.
Global climate agreements: Kyoto Protocol, Paris Agreement, and their
implications for policy and action.
Climate change mitigation and adaptation strategies.
11. Water Resources Management
The hydrological cycle and the distribution of freshwater resources.
Water scarcity and its causes: overuse, pollution, climate change.
Techniques for sustainable water management: conservation, efficiency, and
treatment technologies.
Case studies on water management issues (e.g., droughts, water wars).
12. Soil and Land Management
Soil degradation: erosion, desertification, and loss of soil fertility.
Land use planning and zoning: balancing urban development, agriculture, and
conservation.
Sustainable agricultural practices: agroecology, no-till farming, crop rotation.
Soil conservation techniques: terracing, contour farming, reforestation.
13. Biodiversity and Ecosystem Conservation
Importance of biodiversity: genetic, species, and ecosystem diversity.
Threats to biodiversity: habitat destruction, invasive species,
overexploitation, climate change.
Conservation strategies: ex situ and in situ conservation, wildlife corridors,
gene banks.
The role of biodiversity in ecosystem stability and human well-being.
14. Waste Management and Circular Economy
Types of waste: municipal solid waste, industrial waste, hazardous waste, e-
waste.
, Waste management hierarchies: reduce, reuse, recycle.
Innovations in waste management: waste-to-energy technologies,
composting, landfill reduction.
The concept of the circular economy and its application in reducing waste
and promoting sustainability.
15. Environmental Health and Human Well-being
The relationship between environmental factors and human health.
Air and water pollution, toxic substances, and their impacts on health.
Public health policies and environmental justice: addressing environmental
health disparities.
Methods of risk assessment and management in environmental health.
16. Energy and Sustainability
Traditional energy sources vs. renewable energy sources.
The transition to renewable energy: solar, wind, hydro, geothermal, and
bioenergy.
Energy efficiency practices and technologies.
Energy policy: local, national, and international frameworks for sustainable
energy use.
17. Ecotourism and Sustainable Development
Principles of ecotourism: sustainability, environmental education, and
community involvement.
Impacts of tourism on natural and cultural resources.
Strategies for managing ecotourism: carrying capacity, stakeholder
engagement, conservation funding.
Case studies of successful ecotourism projects.
18. Environmental Economics and Policy Tools
The role of economics in environmental decision-making.
