apes unit 3 (kortum)

Tragedy of the Commons

A situation where individuals overuse a shared resource because each person acts in their own self-interest.

Externality

A cost or benefit of an activity that affects people who were not involved in the activity.

Maximum Sustainable Yield (MSY)

The largest amount of a resource that can be harvested without reducing future supply

Rangeland

Large natural areas used for grazing livestock such as cattle or sheep. leads to overgrazing, soil erosion, desertification, loss of biodiversity

Clear-Cutting

Removing all trees in an area

Cheap and efficient

Causes soil erosion, habitat loss, and flooding

Selective Cutting

Only certain trees are removed

Maintains forest structure

Less environmental damage

Prescribed Burns

Controlled fires intentionally set by forest managers.

National Forest

Managed for multiple uses

Logging, recreation, grazing allowed

National Park

Protected land focused on conservation and recreation

Logging and hunting prohibited

Wildlife Refuge

Protected primarily for wildlife conservation and habitat protection

Suburb, Exurb, Urban, Rural

Urban: High population density, city areas Suburb: Residential areas outside cities

Exurb: Farther outside suburbs, lower density communities

Rural: Countryside with low population density

Urban Sprawl

Expansion of cities into surrounding rural land. causes: highway and automobile construction, car dependence, and desire for larger homes

effects: habitat destruction, light and sound pollution, loss of land

Urban Blight

The deterioration of buildings and infrastructure in older city areas due to economic decline and population loss

Multi-use Zoning

Urban planning where residential, commercial, and business spaces exist in the same area.

Heat Island Effect

Urban areas become warmer than surrounding rural areas because buildings, pavement, and lack of vegetation trap heat.

Green Roofing

Roofs covered with plants and soil.

Consequences of Pavement in Cities

Increased flooding

Reduced groundwater recharge

Increased runoff pollution

Higher temperatures

Municipal Solid Waste (MSW)

Common trash produced by homes, businesses, and schools. biggest is paper. concerns: methane production, pollution, and landfill space

Waste Stream

The total flow of solid waste from production to disposal.

The 3 R's

Reduce - Use fewer resources

Reuse - Use items again

Recycle - Process materials into new products

Closed Loop Recycling

Material recycled into same product

Open Loop Recycling

Material recycled into different product

Composting

The natural breakdown of organic waste (food scraps, yard waste) into nutrient-rich soil.

Leachate

Liquid that forms when water moves through landfill waste and picks up contaminants.

Methane

Greenhouse gas produced when organic waste decomposes anaerobically in landfills.

Sanitary Landfills

Modern engineered waste disposal sites designed to minimize environmental impact. built on clay or synthetic liners and control leachate/capture methane

Incineration

Burning waste to reduce volume. reduces landfill enegergy/generates energy but causes air pollution/is expensive

Superfund Act (CERCLA)

created to clean up hazardous waste sites/hold polluters financially responsible LOVE CANAL

Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA)

regulates: hazardous waste generation "cradle-to-grave", transport, treatment, disposal

Brownfields

Abandoned or contaminated industrial sites that are difficult to redevelop.

Life Cycle Analysis

Examines environmental impacts of a product from raw material extraction to disposal.

Steps include:

Resource extraction

Manufacturing

Transportation

Use

Disposal

Percent of Earth's Water That Is Fresh

Only about 2.5-3% of Earth's water is freshwater. 70% is frozen

Aquifer

An underground layer of rock or sediment that stores groundwater.

Cone of Depression

A drop in the water table around a well caused by heavy groundwater pumping

Saltwater Intrusion

When seawater moves into freshwater aquifers due to excessive groundwater pumping in coastal areas.

Subsidence

Land sinking or collapsing due to excessive groundwater withdrawal

Impermeable Surfaces

Surfaces that water cannot penetrate, such as concrete and asphalt

Aqueduct

A structure used to transport water long distances

Desalinization

Removing salt from seawater to make freshwater. produces salty brine and is very expensive/energy intensive

Consequences of Overuse of Water

Dry rivers

Depleted aquifers

Habitat destruction

Increased water conflicts

Ways to Reduce Water Footprint

Fix leaks

Use low-flow appliances

Take shorter showers

Eat less water-intensive foods (like beef)

Use drought-resistant landscaping