Sunlight provides the energy that drives photosynthesis, which is the foundation of most food webs in ecosystems. Nearly all primary production in nature begins with the conversion of solar energy into chemical energy.

Wind energy is renewable because it is based on natural wind patterns that are continually replenished. Unlike fossil fuels, wind does not deplete over time and has minimal environmental impacts during energy production.

Exponential growth occurs when the rate of increase is proportional to the current population size, often resulting in doubling over consistent time intervals. This pattern is typically observed in ideal conditions without limiting factors.

The water cycle describes the movement of water through evaporation, condensation, precipitation, and runoff. This process is essential for distributing water and supporting life on Earth.

Industrial emissions release a variety of pollutants into the air, contributing significantly to air quality degradation. They are a major source of harmful particulates and chemicals affecting both human health and the environment.

The ecological footprint quantifies the environmental impact of human activities by measuring the amount of natural resources required to support consumption. It is a key indicator used to assess sustainability and resource depletion.

The nitrogen cycle encompasses processes that transform nitrogen into different chemical forms, making it available for biological use. Key processes include nitrogen fixation by bacteria, nitrification converting ammonia to nitrate, and denitrification returning nitrogen to the atmosphere.

Biodiversity conservation focuses on protecting the variety of life forms, including genetic, species, and ecosystem diversity. This helps maintain ecosystem functions, resilience, and the overall health of the planet.

An increase in greenhouse gases enhances the greenhouse effect by trapping more heat in the Earth's atmosphere. This leads to a rise in global temperatures and contributes to climate change.

Secondary succession takes place in areas where a disturbance has occurred but where the soil is still present. This allows for quicker recovery of the ecosystem as seeds and nutrients remain in place.

Invasive species are organisms that are introduced to new environments where they can outcompete native species and disrupt ecosystem balance. Their aggressive spread can lead to significant ecological and economic damage.

Eutrophication occurs when water bodies receive an excessive amount of nutrients, particularly nitrogen and phosphorus, causing dense growth of algae. As these algae die and decompose, oxygen levels in the water drop, negatively impacting aquatic life.

Solar panels convert light energy directly into electrical energy through the photovoltaic effect. This process involves semiconductor materials that absorb photons and release electrons, generating an electric current.

Deforestation often leads to soil erosion as the removal of trees exposes soil to wind and rain. Without the stabilizing roots of trees, soil is more prone to being washed or blown away, degrading the land.

Recycling involves converting waste materials into new products, thereby reducing the volume of waste sent to landfills. This practice conserves resources and energy by reusing materials rather than extracting raw resources repeatedly.

Climate change models are complex computer simulations used to represent the interactions between the atmosphere, oceans, land surface, and ice. They help scientists predict future climate conditions by incorporating various physical, chemical, and biological processes.

Ecosystem services valuation is a method that assigns economic value to the benefits provided by natural ecosystems. This approach helps quantify the often overlooked contributions of nature to human well-being and economies.

The ecological footprint is an indicator that assesses whether human consumption is within the bounds of what the Earth's ecosystems can regenerate. It provides insight into the sustainability of current resource use relative to nature's capacity to replenish.

EROI measures the efficiency of an energy production process by comparing the amount of energy produced to the energy expended in the process. A higher EROI indicates a more favorable energy production method with a better return on energy investment.

Mineralization is the process by which microbes break down organic matter, releasing inorganic nutrients back into the ecosystem. This recycling of nutrients is essential for sustaining the productivity and balance of ecosystems.