AP Environmental Science – Unit 5 Vocabulary Definitions

These flashcards cover key vocabulary and definitions related to Unit 5 of AP Environmental Science, aiding in exam preparation.

Tragedy of the Commons

Overuse of shared resources due to individual self-interest.

Externality

Cost or benefit affecting those not involved in the activity.

Rangelands

Open lands used for grazing livestock.

Forest

Ecosystem dominated by trees.

Clear Cutting

Removal of all trees from an area.

Selective Cutting

Removal of specific trees to reduce damage.

Ecologically Sustainable Forestry

Forest use that maintains long-term ecosystem health.

Tree Plantation

Forest grown for commercial purposes, often monoculture.

Endangered Species Act

U.S. law protecting threatened species and habitats.

Subsistence Farming

Farming to support the farmer’s family only.

Industrial Agriculture

Large-scale farming using machinery and chemicals.

Green Revolution

Increased food production using technology and chemicals.

Economies of Scale

Lower costs from large-scale production.

Organic Fertilizer

Fertilizer from natural sources.

Synthetic Fertilizer

Man-made nutrient fertilizer.

Waterlogging

Soil saturation that limits oxygen.

Salinization

Salt buildup in soil from irrigation.

Pesticides

Chemicals used to control pests.

Insecticide

Pesticide targeting insects.

Herbicide

Pesticide targeting plants.

Broad-Spectrum Pesticide

Affects many species.

Selective Pesticide

Targets specific pests.

Monocropping

Growing a single crop species.

Energy Subsidy

Fossil fuel energy used in food production.

Aquifer

Underground water storage layer.

Water Table

Top of groundwater.

Drip Irrigation

Water delivered directly to roots.

Integrated Pest Management

Pest control using multiple strategies.

Pesticide Resistance

Pests evolve resistance to chemicals.

CAFO

Large-scale confined livestock operation.

Overgrazing

Excessive grazing harming land.

Desertification

Fertile land turning into desert.

Fishery

Harvested fish population.

Bycatch

Unintended species caught in fishing.

Strip Mining

Removal of surface layers for minerals.

Open-Pit Mining

Large pit excavation mining.

Mountaintop Removal

Removing mountaintops to access coal.

Urbanization

Growth of cities.

Impervious Surface

Surface preventing water infiltration.

Urban Runoff

Polluted water flowing off surfaces.

Ecological Footprint

Land and water needed to support a lifestyle.

Carbon Footprint

Greenhouse gas emissions.

Sustainability

Resource use without harming future generations.

Maximum Sustainable Yield

Largest harvest that can be sustained.

Anthropogenic

Caused by humans.

Sustainable Agriculture

Farming that preserves resources.

Crop Rotation

Alternating crops to improve soil.

No-Till Agriculture

Farming without plowing.

Organic Agriculture

Farming without synthetic chemicals.

Aquaculture

Farming aquatic organisms.

Reforestation

Replanting trees.

Prescribed Burn

Controlled fire for ecosystem management.