Unit 5b - Land Use and Sustainability

Lithosphere

Earth's crust, 35km to 100km thick.

Mantle

Layer acting like fluid rock due to pressure.

Inner Core

Solid iron, hottest layer under immense pressure.

Outer Core

Liquid iron layer surrounding the inner core.

Mohorovicic Discontinuity

Boundary between crust and molten mantle.

Plastic Rock

Rock in mantle that can be shaped easily.

Convection Currents

Movement of molten rock causing tectonic plate motion.

Asthenosphere

Upper mantle where tectonic plates move.

Tectonic Plates

Solid lithospheric pieces moving on asthenosphere.

Convergent Boundaries

Plates move towards each other, forming mountains.

Divergent Boundaries

Plates move apart, creating new land from magma.

Transform Boundaries

Plates slide past each other, causing friction.

Focus

Point where plates contact during an earthquake.

Epicenter

Point on surface directly above earthquake focus.

Seismic Waves

Energy released during an earthquake.

Fault-block Mountains

Mountains formed by upward force of tectonic plates.

Folded Mountains

Mountains formed by bending of tectonic plates.

Volcano Formation

Occurs when magma escapes through crust cracks.

Earthquake Effects

Can cause landslides, tsunamis, and surface damage.

Mid-Ocean Ridge

Underwater mountains formed by divergent plate movement.

Subduction

Denser oceanic plate forced under another plate.

Rift

Less forceful separation of tectonic plates.

Volcano

An opening in Earth's crust for magma.

Magma

Molten rock beneath Earth's surface.

Ring of Fire

Pacific region with many volcanoes and earthquakes.

Subducting Plates

Tectonic plates moving under each other.

Tectonic Plates

Massive sections of Earth's crust that move.

Urbanization

Population concentration in urban areas.

Land Use

Human activities related to land management.

Zoning Codes

Regulations governing land use and development.

Residential Land Use

Primary land use in U.S. cities.

Commercial Land Use

Land designated for business activities.

Industrial Land Use

Land used for manufacturing and factories.

Mixed-Use Land

Combines residential, commercial, and industrial uses.

Euclidean Zoning

Land use separation by type in cities.

Traffic Congestion

Overcrowding of vehicles on roadways.

Pollution

Contamination of air, water, or land.

Climate Change Emissions

Gases contributing to global warming.

Agricultural Advancements

Improvements in farming techniques and outputs.

Irrigation

Artificial application of water to crops.

Biodiversity Loss

Decline in variety of species in ecosystems.

Heat Islands

Urban areas significantly warmer than surroundings.

Push Factors

Reasons driving migration from rural to urban.

Pull Factors

Attractions drawing people to urban areas.

Vertical Forest

Building design incorporating trees for air quality.

Hurricanes

Severe storms causing destruction and displacement.

Wildfires

Uncontrolled fires in forests or grasslands.

Floods

Overflow of water onto normally dry land.

Pull Factors

Attractions that draw people to cities.

Entertainment

Activities that provide enjoyment and leisure.

Infrastructure

Physical structures supporting urban development.

Education

Systematic instruction for knowledge and skills.

Job Availability

Presence of employment opportunities in cities.

Push Factors

Reasons causing people to leave rural areas.

Sustainability

Development meeting present needs without future compromise.

Excessive Consumption

Overuse of resources beyond sustainable limits.

Climate Change

Long-term alteration of temperature and weather patterns.

Ecosystem Health

Well-being of biological communities and their environments.

Biodiversity

Variety of life in a particular habitat.

Pollution

Contamination of the environment by harmful substances.

Three E's

Environment, Economy, Equity for sustainability.

Natural Air Filters

Trees absorb pollutants, improving air quality.

Flood Defense

Trees prevent floods and landslides effectively.

Forest Industry Jobs

1.6 billion people depend on forestry employment.

Carbon Absorption

Trees absorb 1 ton of carbon in 40 years.

Deforestation

Clearing forests for agriculture or development.

Reforestation

Planting trees to restore forested areas.

Wildlife Corridors

Connect patches of forest for animal movement.

Habitat Fragmentation

Disruption of habitats affecting ecosystem stability.

Deforestation

Clearing forests, impacting biodiversity and emissions.

Reforestation

Planting trees to restore forest ecosystems.

Green Revolution

Agricultural transformation increasing crop yields globally.

Norman Borlaug

Agricultural scientist known for wheat cross-breeding.

Selective Plant Breeding

Choosing plants with desirable traits for reproduction.

Lodging

Wheat heads falling over due to size.

Sustainable Practices

Methods reducing environmental impact in agriculture.

Cover Crops

Crops grown post-harvest to improve soil health.

Strip Cropping

Alternating crops to reduce soil erosion.

Contour Farming

Planting along land contours to minimize runoff.

Crop Rotation

Changing crops annually to maintain soil nutrients.

Livestock Grazing Rotation

Moving livestock to prevent pasture overgrazing.

Organic Farming

Farming without synthetic fertilizers or GMOs.

Manure Use

Natural fertilizer alternative to synthetic options.

Biosolids

Treated sewage not allowed in organic farming.

Organic Food Health

Organic foods have minimal nutritional advantages.

Vertical Farming

Growing crops in stacked layers for efficiency.

LED Technology

Energy-efficient lighting reducing vertical farming costs.

Precision Agriculture

Using technology for targeted farming interventions.

Environmental Impact Reduction

Minimizing agriculture's negative effects on ecosystems.

Pesticide Regulation

Strict rules governing pesticide use in farming.

Future Farming Techniques

Innovative methods enhancing sustainability in agriculture.