Environmental Science 101
Reading Material
The following is a list of links to reading material from a variety of sources. Use of some of this material is password protected and restricted to use by students currently enrolled in Environmental Science 101. This material may only be used for the purpose of completing the required reading assignments. All copyright laws apply. Electronic copying and distribution of this material is prohibited.
Some of the articles below may be password protected on Canvas. To access this material, login to myBlackHawk. Once into myBlackHawk click on the Canvas link.
Section I: Science Principles and Concepts; Solar Interactions
Philosophy of Science
• An Introduction to Science - Steven D. Schafersman
• The Process of Science - Open Stax Publication, Rice University
Basic Physics
• Newton’s First Law of Motion - College Physics, Open Stax Publication, Rice University
• Newton’s Second Law of Motion - College Physics, Open Stax Publication, Rice University
• Newton’s Third Law of Motion - College Physics, Open Stax Publication, Rice University
• Newton’s Universal Law of Gravitation - College Physics, Open Stax Publication, Rice University
• Force - Internet Encyclopedia of Science
• Gravity - Internet Encyclopedia of Science
• Fairly Fundamental Facts about Forces - Teaching Engineering
• Energy - The Physics Hypertextbook
• Temperature - The Physics Hypertextbook
• Thermodynamics - Physics for Idiots
• Special Relativity: Einstein’s Postulates - College Physics, Open Stax Publication, Rice University
• College Physics - Online Textbook, sOpen Stax Publication, Rice University
Basic Chemistry
• Intro to Chemistry - Chemistry, Open Stax Publication, Rice University
• Atomic Structure and Symbolism - Chemistry, Open Stax Publication, Rice University
• The Periodic Table - Chemistry, Open Stax Publication, Rice University
• Phases and Classification of Matter - Chemistry, Open Stax Publication, Rice University
• Ionic Bonding - Chemistry, Open Stax Publication, Rice University
• Covalent Bonding - Chemistry, Open Stax Publication, Rice University
• The Solid State of Matter - Chemistry, Open Stax Publication, Rice University
• Energy Basics - Chemistry, Open Stax Publication, Rice University
• Enthalpy - Chemistry, Open Stax Publication, Rice University
• Acids and Bases - Chemistry, Open Stax Publication, Rice University
• Classifying Chemical Reactions - Chemistry, Open Stax Publication, Rice University
• Chemical Equilibria - Chemistry, Open Stax Publication, Rice University
• Chemistry - Online Textbook, Open Stax Publication, Rice University
Basic Biology
• Themes and Concepts of Biology - Concepts of Biology, Open Stax Publication, Rice University
• Water - Concepts of Biology, Open Stax Publication, Rice University
• Biological Molecules - Concepts of Biology, Open Stax Publication, Rice University
• How Cells Are Studied - Concepts of Biology, Open Stax Publication, Rice University
• Prokaryotic and Eukaryotic Cells - Concepts of Biology, Open Stax Publication, Rice University
• The Genome - Concepts of Biology, Open Stax Publication, Rice University
• The Plant Kingdom - Concepts of Biology, Open Stax Publication, Rice University
• The Animal Kingdom - Concepts of Biology, Open Stax Publication, Rice University
• Concepts of Biology - Online Textbook, Open Stax Publication, Rice University
Solar Environment & Interactions
• Chapter 6h. Earth-Sun Geometry - PhysicalGeography.net web page.
• Earth's Rotation - A Polaris Project web page.
• Earth-Sun geometry - by Michael Pidwirny - The Encyclopedia of Earth web page.
• Precession of the Equinox - Skywise Unlimited web page.
• Chapter 6i. Earth-Sun Relationships and Insolation - PhysicalGeography.net web page.
• Chapter 7j. Global Heat Balance: Introduction to Heat Fluxese - PhysicalGeography.net web page.
• Chapter 7h. The Greenhouse Effect - PhysicalGeography.net web page.
• Chapter 7i. Net Radiation and the Planetary Energy Balance - PhysicalGeography.net web page.
Section II: Biology and Earth Systems
Ecology & Ecosystems
• The Closing Circle: Chapter 2 The Ecosystem - Barry Commoner (Article in Canvas)
Earth Systems
• Introduction and Origin of the Earth - Dr. Stephen A. Nelson EENS1110 web page
• Introduction to Geography - PhysicalGeography.net web page
• Minerals - Dr. Stephen A. Nelson EENS1110 web page
• What is the Rock Cycle? - Idaho Museum of Natural History web page
• The Interior of the Earth - United States Geological Survey web page
• This Dynamic Earth: The Story of Plate Tectonics - United States Geological Survey web page
• Meteorology - by Milton Beychok - The Encyclopedia of Earth web page.
• Weather & Climate - National Weather Service brochure (Article in Canvas)
• What /is Hydrology? - USGS web site
• What Is Oceanography? - Earth Eclipse web site
• Themes and Concepts of Biology - Concepts of Biology, Open Stax Publication, Rice University
Evolution
• Introduction - Concepts of Biology, Open Stax Publication, Rice University
• Discovering How Populations Change - Concepts of Biology, Open Stax Publication, Rice University
• Mechanisms of Evolution - Concepts of Biology, Open Stax Publication, Rice University
• Evidence of Evolution - Concepts of Biology, Open Stax Publication, Rice University
• Speciation - Concepts of Biology, Open Stax Publication, Rice University
• Common Misconceptions about Evolution - Concepts of Biology, Open Stax Publication, Rice University
Biodiversity
• Importance of Biodiversity - Concepts of Biology, Open Stax Publication, Rice University
Section III: Biodiversity & Water
Threats to Biodiversity
• Threats to Biodiversity - Concepts of Biology, Open Stax Publication, Rice University
• International Union for Conservation of Nature: Threats Classification v 2.0 Overview - Conservation Measures Partnership web site
• International Union for Conservation of Nature: Threats Classification v 2.0 Spreadsheet - Conservation Measures Partnership document
Sustaining Biodiversity
• Preserving Biodiversity - Concepts of Biology, Open Stax Publication, Rice University
Hydrology
• 1. Water - A Maverick Compound - Chapter 1 from Water, by Luna B. Leopold and Kenneth S. Davis, Time-Life Books Life Science Library, 1966.
• Chapter 8a. Physical Properties of Water - PhysicalGeography.net web page.
• Chapter 8b. The Hydrologic Cycle - PhysicalGeography.net web page.
• Chapter 8d. Condensation, Freezing, and Deposition - PhysicalGeography.net web page.
Oceanography
• Marine Ecosystem: Mangrove - NOAA National Ocean Service web site
• Marine Ecosystem: Salt Marsh - NOAA National Ocean Service web site
• Marine Ecosystem: Intertidal Zone - Biomes of the World web site
• Marine Ecosystem: Estuary - Biomes of the World web site
• Marine Ecosystem: Lagoon - National Geographic web site
• Marine Ecosystem: Coral Reef - Biomes of the World web site
• Marine Ecosystem: Deep Sea - Biomes of the World web site
• Ocean Circulation (5 pages) - Introduction to Oceanography, by Jennifer Nelson
• Section 7.1 Dominant Forces for Ocean Dynamics, pgs. 103-104 - Introduction To Physical Oceanography, text book by Robert H. Stewart
• Section 7.3 Types of Flow in the ocean, pg. 105 - Introduction To Physical Oceanography, text book by Robert H. Stewart
• Section 9.2 Ekman Layer at the Sea Surface, pg. 135-138 through Figure 9.3 - Introduction To Physical Oceanography, text book by Robert H. Stewart
• Waves Introduction, and the 4 Side Bar Links - Texas A & M Department of Oceanography
• Waves Introduction, and the 5 Side Bar Links - Texas A & M Department of Oceanography
• Waves (5 pages) - Introduction to Oceanography, by Jennifer Nelson
• Tides (10 pages) - Introduction to Oceanography, by Jennifer Nelson
• Section 3.3 Sea-Floor Features, pgs. 25-29 - Introduction To Physical Oceanography, text book by Robert H. Stewart
Section IV: Population
Population and Exponential Growth
• Population Demographics and Dynamics - Concepts of Biology, Open Stax Publication, Rice University
• Population Growth and Regulation - Concepts of Biology, Open Stax Publication, Rice University
• An Introduction to Population Growth - The Nature Education Project Knowledge
• How Populations Grow: The Exponential and Logistic Equations - The Nature Education Project Knowledge
• Population Growth - Larry MacPhee: e-Learning - Northern Arizona University
Carrying Capacity & Limiting Factors
• Population Growth and Regulation - Concepts of Biology, Open Stax Publication, Rice University
• Population Limiting Factors - Concepts of Biology, Open Stax Publication, Rice University
Demographics
• Population: A Lively Introduction - by Joseph A. McFalls, Jr., a Population Reference Bureau Population Bulletin publication.
• Human population explosion - by Theodore L. Steck, The Encyclopedia of Earth
• Age-Sex Pyramids - by Matt Rosenberg
Limiting Human Population Growth
• Problems of Overpopulation - Earth Eclipse web site
• Effects of Human Overpopulation - Everything Connects Web Site
• Nine Population Strategies to Stop Short of 9 Billion - Worldwatch Institute
• Family planning (click on Read More button) - United Nations Population Fund
• Population - China Internet Information Center: The authorized government portal site to China.
• Family Planning - China Internet Information Center: The authorized government portal site to China.
• China's One-Child Rule - by Matt Rosenberg
• Emergency in India - Historyplex
• Unwanted Sterilization and Eugenics Programs in the United States - PBS Independent Lens articl
Section V: Environmental Policy, Politics and Economics
History of Environmentalism
• Environmental History of the United States - Suppliment from Miller and Spoolman, Living in the Environment
• A Fierce Green Fire: Timeline of Environmental Movement and History - PBS American Masters program
• EPA History (1970-1985) - EPA web site
Environmental Policy and Politics
• A Citizen’s Guide
to the NEPA, pages 1-3 - National Environmental Policy Act
• A Running List of How President Trump Is Changing Environmental Policy - National Geographic web site
International Initiatives
• Vienna Convention and Montreal Protocol Introductory Note - UN Audiovisual Library of International Law
• CFCs and Their Substitutes in Stratospheric Ozone Depletion. - NOAA Earth System Research Laboratory
• Evidence for a Continuous Decline in Lower Stratospheric Ozone Offsetting Ozone Layer Recovery - Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics Journal
• United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change Introductory Note - UN Audiovisual Library of International Law
• Kyoto Protocol Introductory Note - UN Audiovisual Library of International Law
• Summary of the Paris Agreement - UN Framework Convention on Climate Change
• Treaty Banning Nuclear Weapon Tests - UN Office for Disarmament Affairs
• Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty - UN Office for Disarmament Affairs
• The Antarctic Treaty - Sercretariat of the Antarctic Treaty
• The World Heritage Convention - UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization
• What is CITES? - Convention on the International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Flora and Fauna
• International Whaling Convention, History and Purpose - International Whaling Convention
• Convention on the Prevention of Marine Pollution by Dumping of Wastes and Other Matter - International Marine Organization
• International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships - International Marine Organization
Environmental Economics
• What Is Economics, and Why Is It Important? - Principles of Economics, Open Stax Publication, Rice University
• How To Organize Economies - Principles of Economics, Open Stax Publication, Rice University
• Say’s Law and the Macroeconomics of Supply - Principles of Economics, Open Stax Publication, Rice University
• What is ecological economics? - Yale Insights: Yale School of Management
• Large companies see payoffs in sustainability - PBS News Hour: Peril & Promise
• How effective are business efforts to go green? - PBS News Hour: Peril & Promise
• Microfinance: What It Is and Why It Matters - Business News Daily
• What is microfinance? - Kiva.org