NAPOLCOM PNPE General Information — Environmental Management & EcologyFlash Cards

What are the three phases of municipal wastewater treatment?

1. Primary Treatment - involves sedimentation, coagulation, and filtration to remove suspended sediments and particles from wastewater before discharge. 2. Secondary (Biological) Treatment - includes softening and aeration processes to remove organic matter and improve water quality. 3. Tertiary Treatment - focuses on disinfection, commonly using chlorine to destroy harmful bacteria and pathogens.

Define xeriscaping and explain its importance in water conservation.

Xeriscaping is an innovative landscaping approach that promotes water conservation and pollution prevention. It uses planning and design, soil analysis, suitable plant selection, practical turf areas, efficient irrigation, mulches, and appropriate maintenance to create landscapes adapted to specific climatic conditions. Most successful in arid and semi-arid areas, xeriscaping minimizes irrigation needs and external maintenance while maintaining attractive appearance.

What percentage of global land area is classified as agricultural area according to FAO?

According to the FAO, 4,889 million hectares or 37.6% of the world's land area (13,003 million hectares) is classified as agricultural area. This includes: 28% arable land (cropland), 3% permanent crops, and 69% pastureland (permanent meadows and pastures).

List the five main causes of land degradation.

The five main causes of land degradation are: 1. Deforestation - removal of forest cover leads to soil erosion and habitat loss. 2. Overgrazing - excessive livestock grazing damages vegetation and soil. 3. Agricultural practices - improper farming techniques deplete soil nutrients. 4. Industrialization - pollution and chemical contamination harm soil quality. 5. Urbanization - expansion of cities reduces available land and alters natural ecosystems.

What are the three types of biodiversity?

The three types of biodiversity are: 1. Genetic Diversity - differences in genetic resources among individuals of the same species, making each organism unique. 2. Species Diversity - variety of different species found in a particular area, including all organisms from plants to microorganisms. 3. Ecological Diversity - diversity of ecosystems including both living and non-living components and their interactions through food webs and chains.

Which environments have the highest species diversity?

The most species-rich environments are: 1. Tropical rainforests, 2. Coral reefs, and 3. Ocean bottom zones. Species diversity is highest in tropical regions and decreases as we move toward the poles. These environments provide complex ecosystems with numerous niches and favorable conditions for diverse life forms.

What are the six major threats to biodiversity?

The six major threats to biodiversity are: 1. Climate Change - long-term changes in climate patterns affect habitats and species survival. 2. Habitat Loss and Degradation - human activities destroy natural habitats. 3. Pollution - particularly nitrogen and phosphorus loading threatens ecosystems. 4. Invasive Species - non-native species compete with and displace native organisms. 5. Overexploitation - harvesting species faster than they can reproduce. 6. Other threats - including wildlife epidemics and infectious diseases.

Define global warming and explain its relationship to greenhouse gases.

Global warming is a climate change phenomenon characterized by a general increase in Earth's average temperatures, which modifies weather balances and ecosystems long-term. Greenhouse gases (water vapor, carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, chlorofluorocarbons) trap heat in Earth's atmosphere by allowing sunlight to pass through but preventing heat from leaving, causing the greenhouse effect.

What are the main causes of global warming?

The main causes of global warming are: 1. Fossil Fuels - burning coal, oil, and gas produces CO2 and nitrous oxide. 2. Deforestation - forest exploitation reduces CO2 absorption. 3. Intensive Farming - livestock and fertilizers release greenhouse gases. 4. Waste Disposal - landfills and incineration emit methane and toxic gases. 5. Mining - releases stored carbon and other pollutants. 6. Overconsumption - excessive resource use increases carbon footprint.

Compare global warming and climate change.

Global warming refers specifically to the rise in global temperatures due mainly to increasing concentrations of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. Climate change refers more broadly to the increasing changes in all measures of climate over long periods - including precipitation, temperature, and wind patterns. Global warming is essentially one aspect of the broader phenomenon of climate change.

What are the two main policy responses to climate change?

The two main policy responses to climate change are: 1. Mitigation - reducing and stabilizing levels of heat-trapping greenhouse gases in the atmosphere through measures like renewable energy use, energy efficiency, and emissions reduction. 2. Adaptation - adapting to climate change impacts already occurring or inevitable, such as building sea walls, changing agricultural practices, and developing climate-resilient infrastructure.

What was established by the Paris Agreement of 2015?

The Paris Agreement established: 1. Requirement for all countries to set emissions-reduction pledges (NDCs). 2. Goal to prevent global temperature rise of 2°C above pre-industrial levels, pursuing efforts to keep below 1.5°C. 3. Aim to reach global net-zero emissions in the second half of the century. 4. Five-year assessment cycles through global stock takes. 5. Country-set targets with no enforcement mechanisms. Note: The US temporarily withdrew under Trump but rejoined under Biden.

List five types of environmental hazards and provide examples.

Five types of environmental hazards are: 1. Natural events - earthquakes, hurricanes, typhoons, volcanic eruptions, tsunamis (Philippines faces 20+ typhoons yearly). 2. Physical hazards - radiation, extreme temperatures, noise pollution. 3. Social disruptions - terrorism, riots, warfare, overpopulation, poverty. 4. Biological agents - pathogenic bacteria, viruses, parasites, toxins (e.g., COVID-19, SARS-CoV-2). 5. Chronic global hazards - climate change, pollution, environmental degradation.

What causes coastal erosion and what are its two forms?

Coastal erosion is caused by: 1. Action of waves and currents, 2. Mass wasting processes on slopes, 3. Subsidence (particularly on muddy coasts), 4. Extreme weather events (storms, surge, flooding, tsunami), 5. Heavy rainfall causing soil saturation, 6. Human activities (dredging, sand mining, river management). It occurs in two forms: rapid-onset hazard (days to weeks) and slow-onset hazard (decades to centuries).

Name three methods for mitigating coastal degradation.

Three methods for mitigating coastal degradation are: 1. Hardening - using fixed structures like bulkheads, seawalls, or revetments to protect shorelines from wave action. 2. Natural Resources - planting appropriate vegetation (grasses) in tidal and supratidal substrates to control shore erosion naturally. 3. Beach Nourishment - transplanting sand from other areas to rebuild and maintain beaches, creating effective shore protection through proper planform and cross-section.

What is the purpose of Republic Act 9003 (Philippine Ecological Solid Waste Management Act)?

RA 9003 aims to adopt a systematic, comprehensive, and ecological solid waste management program that ensures protection of public health and environment. It provides legal framework for proper segregation, collection, storage, treatment, and disposal of solid waste. The law mandates segregation at source (households, institutions, industries), establishes reclamation programs and buy-back centers, promotes eco-labeling, and prohibits non-environmentally acceptable products and packaging.

What does Republic Act 9275 (Philippine Clean Water Act) address?

RA 9275 protects the country's water bodies from land-based pollution sources including industries, commercial establishments, agriculture, and community/household activities. It provides a comprehensive and integrated strategy to prevent and minimize pollution through multi-sectoral and participatory approach involving all stakeholders. The law establishes water quality standards and management systems for protecting Philippine water resources.

Define sustainable development and list its four pillars.

Sustainable development is a method of developing that uses resources in a way that they can be renewed or continue to exist for future generations, balancing environmental, social, and economic priorities. The four pillars are: 1. Human sustainability - preserving human capital through health and education investments. 2. Social sustainability - protecting social capital and community cohesiveness. 3. Economic sustainability - maintaining funds and raising living standards. 4. Environmental sustainability - protecting natural resources (land, air, water, minerals).

What are the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and when were they established?

The UN established 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in 2015 as a global call to action to eradicate poverty, preserve the environment, and ensure everyone lives in peace and prosperity by 2030. The 17 goals include: No Poverty, Zero Hunger, Good Health and Well-being, Quality Education, Gender Equality, Clean Water and Sanitation, Affordable and Clean Energy, Decent Work, Industry Innovation, Reduced Inequality, Sustainable Cities, Responsible Consumption, Climate Action, Life Below Water, Life On Land, Peace and Justice, and Partnerships for Goals.

What is the Philippine Strategy for Sustainable Development (PSSD) and list three of its key strategies.

The PSSD aims to accomplish economic growth while safeguarding the Philippines' biological resources, diversity, and ecosystem services. Three key strategies include: 1. Integration of environmental considerations in decision-making processes, 2. Proper pricing of natural resources to reflect their true value, 3. Property rights reform to ensure sustainable resource management. Other strategies include establishing protected areas, ecosystem rehabilitation, pollution control, population planning, rural development, environmental education, and citizen participation.