APES U5

Tragedy of the Commons

Common resources exploited at unsustainable rates, leading to depletion.

Ogallal Aquifer

The largest aquifer in the US, located in the middle of the country, facing depletion due to human use.

Groundwater Depletion

Occurs when more water is extracted from aquifers than can be naturally replenished.

Cone of Depression

An area surrounding a well where groundwater levels have been lowered due to extraction.

Subsidence

The sinking of land as a result of groundwater extraction.

Saltwater Intrusion

The movement of seawater into freshwater aquifers, often due to over-extraction of groundwater.

Irrigation

The artificial application of water to soil to assist in the growing of crops.

Salinization

The accumulation of salts in soil, often due to irrigation evaporation, which can impair crop growth.

Tillage

The agricultural preparation of soil by mechanical agitation, which can lead to soil erosion.

Desertification

The process by which fertile land becomes desert as a result of drought, deforestation, or inappropriate agriculture.

Clearcutting

The removal of all trees in an area at the same time, leading to soil erosion and habitat destruction.

Deforestation

The clearing of forested areas for non-forest use, impacting carbon storage and biodiversity.

Green Revolution

The shift in agriculture to industrial-scale operations using technology and new methods for higher yields.

Mechanization

The increased use of machinery in agriculture, leading to higher yields but greater fossil fuel dependence.

HYV Crops

High Yield Variety crops that produce more yield per area, often genetically modified.

Pesticides

Chemicals used to kill pests, including herbicides, insecticides, and fungicides.

Integrated Pest Management (IPM)

A combination of methods to manage pests while minimizing environmental disruption.

Overfishing

The depletion of fish populations due to excessive fishing, leading to biodiversity loss.

Bycatch

Unintended species caught in fishing nets, often leading to harm to marine ecosystems.

Monocropping

The agricultural practice of growing a single crop species at a time.

Bottom Trawling

A destructive fishing method where nets are dragged across the ocean floor.

Ore

Rock that contains a profitable amount of minerals, such as iron.

Reserves

Sources that can be mined for resources.

Overburden

The soil removed during mining operations.

Spoils

Waste material created by mining activities.

Tailings

The materials left over after the process of separating the valuable fractions from mined ore.