1. Widespread and abundant: This is the most common meaning of the word. It refers to species, resources, or environmental issues that are found frequently in a particular ecosystem or region.
* Example: "Common birds" refer to bird species that are frequently observed in a particular area.
* Example: "Common pollutants" refer to pollutants that are frequently found in the environment.
2. Shared or collective: In this sense, "common" refers to something that is shared or collectively owned by a group of people or entities.
* Example: "Common resources" refer to resources that are available to everyone, such as air, water, or land.
* Example: "Common property" refers to land or resources that are owned collectively by a community or group.
3. Ordinary or typical: This meaning emphasizes that something is not unusual or exceptional.
* Example: "Common environmental practices" refer to practices that are widely used and accepted by the environmental community.
* Example: "Common knowledge" refers to basic facts or information that is widely known about environmental issues.
4. Relating to the "commons": The "commons" refers to a shared resource or area that is not owned privately but rather is available for use by all.
* Example: "Common grazing lands" refer to land that is open for everyone's livestock to graze.
* Example: "The Tragedy of the Commons" refers to the problem of overuse and depletion of shared resources due to individual self-interest.
It's important to understand the context in which "common" is used to determine its precise meaning in environmental science.