biomed 7.1-7.4

Anthromes, Anthropogenic Biomes

Globally significant ecological patterns created by sustained direct human interactions with ecosystems, such as villages, croplands, and rangelands.

Ecological Footprint

A measure of human demand on nature, representing the area of biologically productive land and water required to provide the resources we consume and absorb the waste we generate.

Climate Change

A long-term shift in temperatures and weather patterns, primarily caused by increased levels of greenhouse gases in the Earth's atmosphere.

Global Warming

The ongoing increase in Earth's average temperature, primarily due to the excessive emission of greenhouse gases from human activities.

Monoculture

The agricultural practice of growing a single crop year after year on the same land, often leading to reduced biodiversity and soil health.

Deforestation

The large-scale removal of forests for non-forest use, such as conversion to farms, ranches, or urban development.

Invasive Species

A non-native organism that is introduced to a new environment and causes ecological or economic harm to that environment.

Pollutant

A substance or energy introduced into the environment that has undesired effects, or adversely affects the usefulness of a resource.

Ozone Layer

A region of Earth's stratosphere that absorbs most of the Sun's harmful ultraviolet (UV) radiation, protecting life on the planet.

Smog

A type of intense air pollution that forms when sunlight reacts with nitrogen oxides and volatile organic compounds released by vehicles and industry.

Biological Magnification

The increasing concentration of a substance, such as a toxic chemical, in organisms at progressively higher levels in a food chain.

Sustainable Development

Development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.

Renewable Resources

A natural resource that is replenished by natural processes at a rate comparable to or faster than its rate of consumption by humans (e.g., solar, wind).

Nonrenewable Resources

A natural resource that exists in a fixed amount and is consumed much faster than it is naturally replenished (e.g., fossil fuels, minerals).

Resilience

The capacity of an ecosystem to recover and absorb disturbances or changes while retaining its basic structure and function.