Environmental Management & Ecology - Cheat Sheet
Your last-minute revision companion for Environmental Management & Ecology - covering all exam-critical facts, laws, and concepts
Water Pollution Control & Conservation
Important facts
- Three phases of wastewater treatment: Primary, Secondary, Tertiary
- Primary treatment: sedimentation → coagulation → filtration
- Secondary treatment: softening → aeration
- Chlorine is most common disinfectant in tertiary treatment
- Xeriscaping most successful in arid and semi-arid areas
- Water conservation practices: residential, landscaping, agricultural
Key definitions
Sewage
Example
Household wastewater from kitchens and bathrooms
Wastewater generated by home activities, industries, or garbage landfills categorized as municipal water pollution
Primary Treatment
Example
Removing suspended sediments before discharge to rivers
Wastewater treatment using sedimentation, coagulation, and filtration
Secondary Treatment
Example
Oxygen-demanding compounds removal through biological processes
Biological treatment involving softening and aeration processes
Tertiary Treatment
Example
Final chlorination before water distribution
Water disinfection using chlorine to destroy bacteria
Xeriscaping
Example
Desert landscaping with cacti and native plants
Water conservation landscaping approach using drought-resistant plants and efficient irrigation
Diagrams to know
- Wastewater treatment process flow
- Water conservation methods diagram
Land Use & Degradation
Common values
Value
4,889 million hectares
Symbol
37.6% of total land
Quantity
World Agricultural Area
Value
13.5 million hectares
Symbol
41% of total
Quantity
Philippines Agricultural Land
Important facts
- World land area: 13,003 million hectares
- Agricultural area: 4,889 million hectares (37.6% of land)
- Global land use: 10% glaciers, 19% barren, 37% forests, 11% grasslands, 1% freshwater, 1% urban
- Philippines agricultural land: 41% (18.2% arable, 17.8% permanent crops, 5% pasture)
- Philippines forest: 9%, Other: 1%
- Land degradation causes: deforestation, overgrazing, agriculture, industrialization, urbanization
Key definitions
Land Use
Example
Agricultural, residential, industrial, mining uses
How people use land for economic and cultural activities
Arable Land
Example
Wheat, corn, rice fields
Land where crops are grown and replanted after harvest (28% of global agricultural area)
Permanent Crops
Example
Citrus, coffee, rubber plantations
Land for crops not replanted after harvest (3% of global agricultural area)
Pastureland
Example
Grasslands for cattle grazing
Land for herbaceous food production for 5+ years (69% of global agricultural area)
Land Degradation
Example
Soil erosion from deforestation
Reduction in land quality due to human activities and extreme weather
Diagrams to know
- Global land use distribution pie chart
- Land degradation causes flowchart
Biodiversity Types & Conservation
Important facts
- Three types: Genetic, Species, Ecological diversity
- Species diversity highest in tropics, decreases toward poles
- Most species-rich: tropical rainforests, coral reefs, ocean bottom
- World GDP $44 trillion highly/moderately dependent on nature
- Threats: climate change, habitat loss, pollution, invasive species, overexploitation
- Conservation methods: protect ecosystems, restore habitats, identify endangered species
Key definitions
Genetic Diversity
Example
Different rice varieties with unique genetic makeup
Differences in genetic resources among individuals of same species
Species Diversity
Example
Tropical rainforests having highest species diversity
Variety of different species in a particular area
Ecological Diversity
Example
Forest ecosystem with interconnected organisms
Diversity of plant and animal species linked by food webs and chains
Invasive Species
Example
Foreign species competing for resources with local wildlife
Non-native species that colonize and threaten native species
Overexploitation
Example
Overfishing leading to species depletion
Overharvesting species faster than they can sustain themselves
Diagrams to know
- Three types of biodiversity hierarchy
- Biodiversity threats impact diagram
Global Warming & Climate Change
Important facts
- Main greenhouse gases: water vapor, CO2, methane, nitrous oxide, CFCs
- Causes: fossil fuels, deforestation, intensive farming, waste disposal, mining, overconsumption
- Prevention: renewable energy, energy efficiency, sustainable transport, agriculture
- Paris Agreement goal: limit warming to below 2°C, pursue 1.5°C
- Two policy responses: mitigation and adaptation
- Global warming vs climate change: warming refers to temperature, change includes all measures
Key definitions
Global Warming
Example
Rising global temperatures due to greenhouse gases
Phenomenon of general increase in Earth's average temperatures modifying weather balances
Greenhouse Gases
Example
CO2, methane, water vapor, nitrous oxide, CFCs
Gases that trap heat in Earth's atmosphere
Climate Change Mitigation
Example
Switching to renewable energy sources
Reducing and stabilizing greenhouse gas levels in atmosphere
Climate Change Adaptation
Example
Building flood defenses against sea level rise
Adapting to climate change already occurring
Diagrams to know
- Greenhouse effect mechanism
- Climate change causes and solutions
Environmental Hazards & Toxicology
Important facts
- Hazard types: natural events, physical hazards, social disruptions, biohazards, chronic hazards
- Philippines hit by 20+ typhoons yearly, 5 devastating
- COVID-19 first detected December 31, 2019 in Wuhan, China
- Coastal erosion: rapid-onset (days-weeks) or slow-onset (decades-centuries)
- Erosion causes: waves/currents, mass wasting, subsidence, extreme weather, heavy rainfall
- Mitigation: hardening, vegetation, nourishment, barriers, seawalls
Key definitions
Environmental Hazards
Example
Natural disasters, pollution, biological agents
Threats to environment and human health from various causal agents
Biohazards
Example
Pathogenic bacteria, viruses, parasites, toxins
Organisms or by-products toxic or dangerous to humans
Coastal Degradation
Example
Infrastructure construction near shorelines
Change or destruction of coastlines due to human activities
Coastal Erosion
Example
Beach erosion from storm surges
Loss of coastal land due to waves, currents, and human activities
Diagrams to know
- Types of environmental hazards classification
- Coastal erosion mitigation methods
Philippine Environmental Laws
Important facts
- PD 1586 (1978): Environmental Impact Assessment System
- RA 9729 (2009): Climate Change Act - integrates climate change in policy
- RA 9512 (2008): Environmental Education Act - November as Environmental Month
- Kyoto Protocol: first legally binding climate treaty (2005)
- Paris Agreement: requires all countries to set emission reduction pledges
- Montreal Protocol (1987): historic environmental accord model
Key definitions
RA 9003
Example
Mandatory waste segregation at source
Philippine Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000 - systematic waste management
RA 9275
Example
Industrial wastewater treatment requirements
Philippine Clean Water Act of 2004 - protects water bodies from land-based pollution
RA 8749
Example
Vehicle emission standards and monitoring
Philippine Clean Air Act of 1999 - maintains clean air meeting national standards
RA 6969
Example
Controls import and disposal of toxic materials
Toxic Substances and Hazardous Waste Control Act of 1990
Diagrams to know
- Philippine environmental laws timeline
- International environmental agreements chronology
Sustainable Development
Important facts
- Four pillars: human, social, economic, environmental sustainability
- 17 SDGs established in 2015 for 2030 achievement
- SDGs interconnected - actions in one area affect others
- PSSD strategies: 10 implementing techniques including protected areas
- Goal: balance environmental, demographic, economic concerns
- Significance: Earth's population will strain resources within 20 years
Key definitions
Sustainable Development
Example
Using recycled materials in construction
Development using resources so they can be renewed for future generations
Four Pillars of Sustainability
Example
Balancing economic growth with environmental protection
Human, social, economic, and environmental sustainability
SDGs
Example
No poverty, zero hunger, quality education
17 Sustainable Development Goals by UN for 2030 - global call to end poverty and protect environment
PSSD
Example
Integration of environmental considerations in decision-making
Philippine Strategy for Sustainable Development - economic growth while protecting biodiversity
Diagrams to know
- Four pillars of sustainability
- 17 SDGs overview diagram
Must remember
- Three water treatment phases: Primary (sedimentation/coagulation/filtration) → Secondary (softening/aeration) → Tertiary (chlorination)
- Philippines agricultural land: 41% total (18.2% arable, 17.8% permanent crops, 5% pasture)
- Three biodiversity types: Genetic (within species), Species (between species), Ecological (ecosystem level)
- Main greenhouse gases: water vapor, CO2, methane, nitrous oxide, CFCs
- Top 5 biodiversity threats: climate change, habitat loss, pollution, invasive species, overexploitation
- Major Philippine environmental laws: RA 9003 (Solid Waste), RA 9275 (Clean Water), RA 8749 (Clean Air)
- Paris Agreement goal: limit global warming below 2°C, pursue 1.5°C
- Four pillars of sustainability: human, social, economic, environmental
- 17 SDGs established 2015 for 2030 achievement - interconnected goals
- Xeriscaping: water conservation landscaping most effective in arid/semi-arid areas
Last minute tips
- Memorize the exact percentages for Philippine land use (41% agricultural: 18.2% arable, 17.8% permanent crops, 5% pasture)
- Remember the sequence: Primary → Secondary → Tertiary water treatment, each with specific processes
- Associate biodiversity threats with real examples: habitat loss = deforestation, invasive species = foreign species competition
- Know the year and key provisions of major environmental laws: RA 9003 (2000), RA 9275 (2004), RA 8749 (1999)
- Climate change vs global warming: warming = temperature rise, climate change = all weather pattern changes including precipitation and wind
Comparison tables
Water Treatment Phases
| Phase | Processes | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Treatment | Sedimentation, Coagulation, Filtration | Remove suspended sediments and basic pollutants |
| Secondary Treatment | Softening, Aeration | Biological treatment for organic compounds |
| Tertiary Treatment | Chlorination/Disinfection | Destroy bacteria and final purification |
Types of Biodiversity
| Type | Definition | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Genetic Diversity | Differences in genetic resources within species | Different rice varieties |
| Species Diversity | Variety of species in an area | Tropical rainforest species count |
| Ecological Diversity | Diversity of interconnected ecosystems | Forest food web relationships |
Climate Change Responses
| Type | Definition | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Mitigation | Reducing greenhouse gas levels | Renewable energy, energy efficiency |
| Adaptation | Adapting to existing climate change | Flood defenses, drought-resistant crops |
Diagrams
Environmental Management & Ecology Overview
Comprehensive overview of all major environmental management and ecology concepts covered in the chapter
Water Treatment Process Flow
Step-by-step process of wastewater treatment from raw sewage to clean water output
Global Land Use Distribution
Breakdown of how Earth's habitable land is distributed across different uses and natural features
Biodiversity Threat Impact Cycle
How human activities threaten biodiversity and potential paths for species recovery or extinction
Major Environmental Agreements Timeline
Chronological progression of major international environmental treaties and agreements