Unit 4: Land and Water Use

Tragedy of the commons

publicly shared resources will end badly due to selfishness and lack of responsibility

tilling

turning the soil to prepare it for seeding

slash and burn method

plants are cut, then burned, and the ash fertilizes the soil

fertilizer

substance that adds nutrients to the soil to help plants grow

aquifer

porous rock that holds groundwater

groundwater recharge

water infiltrating the soil and traveling to aquifers

groundwater withdrawal

taking water from aquifers

greenspace

vegetation, non-paved, permeable area

saltwater intrusion

saltwater entering aquifers and making drinking water unpotable

photochemical smog

smog created by vehicles that is bad for lungs and eyes

sustainability

ability for something to be maintained for a long time

indicator species

species that indicate the conditions of an ecosystem

maximum sustainable yield (MSY)

largest yield that can be taken (farmed, fished, hunted, etc.) for the ecosystem to sustain

sustainable agriculture

agricultural practices where environmental is sustained well

contour plowing

planting crops parallel to Earth’s curvature and topographic lines

wind breaks

trees and bushes planted at the edge of farm fields to prevent soil erosion due to wind

perennial crops

crops that live for several years that are sustainable

terracing

flat farmland in hilly regions, water slowly goes from terrace to terrace

no-till agriculture

planting seeds without turning soil, prevents soil erosion by keeping soil layers intact

strip cropping

plants are planted in alternating pattern to maintain soil fertility

soil fertility

ability for soil to maintain plant growth

crop rotation

type of crop alternates from season to season to balance nutrients in the soil

green manure

plants that are grown specifically to deposit directly into the soil

limestone

calcium carbonate rock that can make soil more acidic

aquaculture

raising marine animals in a controlled environment