Final Exam Study Guide: Environmental Science

A set of flashcards covering key terms and concepts related to environmental science and policy.

Green Revolution

A period of technical advancements in the 1900s that increased grain production through improved irrigation, mechanization, and transportation.

Biodiversity

The variety of life in the world or in a particular habitat or ecosystem.

Soil Erosion

The removal of the top layer of soil, often caused by water, wind, or agricultural practices.

Soil Salinization

The accumulation of soluble salts in soil, which can inhibit plant growth.

Urban Areas

Densely populated regions characterized by a high concentration of buildings, infrastructure, and services.

Food Desert

Areas with limited access to affordable and healthy food, particularly fresh fruits and vegetables.

Bottleneck Effect

Reduction in genetic diversity that occurs when a population's size is significantly reduced for at least one generation.

Redlining

A discriminatory practice that denies services, typically based on racial or ethnic composition, such as access to housing loans.

Incineration

A waste management process that involves the burning of waste materials.

Terra Preta

A type of highly fertile soil in the Amazon basin created by ancient peoples from ash and organic matter.

Renewable Energy

Energy from sources that are naturally replenished, such as solar, wind, and biomass.

Greenhouse Gas

Gases that trap heat in the atmosphere, contributing to climate change.

Fracking

A method of extracting natural gas from the ground by injecting fluid at high pressure to fracture rock formations.

Control Rods

Materials used in nuclear reactors to absorb neutrons and regulate the fission process.

Passive Solar Power

Using building design elements to maximize heating and cooling from sunlight without mechanical devices.

Active Solar Power

Technologies that convert solar energy into electricity using devices like solar panels.

Ocean Acidification

The process by which the ocean becomes more acidic due to increased CO2 absorption, affecting marine life.

Sustainable Development Goals

A collection of 17 global goals set by the United Nations to address social, environmental, and economic challenges.

IPCC

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, tasked with assessing climate science and providing policy recommendations.