Fragile Environments Key Terms

Adaptation

Measures to manage the impacts of climate change

Afforestation

The act of adding forest or trees in an area that there has previously been no tree cover

Agro-forestry

The growing of trees for the benefit of agriculture: as wind breaks or as protection against soil erosion

Alternative Energy

Renewable sources of energy, such as solar and wind power, that offer an alternative to the use of fossil fuels

Biodiversity

The variety of animal or plant life in a particular habitat or ecosystem

Carbon capture and storage

Capturing carbon emissions and then storing the carbon underground in safe rock formations

Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs)

Chemicals once used in foams, refrigerators, aerosols and air-conditioning units. Their use is now banned because they were thought to be responsible for the destruction of the world’s ozone layer and for part of the greenhouse effect

Climate Change

Long-term changes in the global atmospheric conditions

Climate Migrant

Someone who moves to a new country or area because climate change has made it very difficult for them to continue to live or work where they are

Cultivation

The act of growing something or improving its growth, especially crops.

Deforestation

The deliberate clearing of forested land, often causing serious environmental problems such as soil erosion

Desalination

The removal of salts from seawater to produce fresh water

Desertification

The spread of desert conditions into what were semi-arid and previously productive areas

Ecosystem

A biological community of interacting organisms and their physical environment.

Enhanced Greenhouse Effect

Atmospheric levels of C02 rising due to human activities such as burning fossil fuels and land-use changes

Famine

A chronic shortage of food resulting in many people dying from starvation

Fossil Fuel

Carbon fuels such as coal, oil and natural gas that cannot be ‘remade’ because it will take tens of millions of years for them to form again (i.e they are finite)

Fragile Environment

One that is vulnerable to change and may find it difficult to recover from natural or human-induced changes

Global Climate Change

The recent changes in global temperature due to human activities, also known as global warming/climate crisis

Global Warming

A process whereby global temperatures rise over time

Greenhouse effect

The process in which certain greenhouse gases allow short-wave radiation to pass through the atmosphere but trap a portion of the outgoing long-wave radiation, thereby raising temperatures

Groundwater

Fresh water stored in underground rocks (aquifers)

High-yielding varieties (HVVs)

Genetically modified crops that produce greater yields per hectare, if the soil conditions are correct

Hybrid vehicles

Vehicles that can run on electricity as well as fossil fuels

Indigenous populations

Ethnic groups who are the original/earliest known inhabitants of the region, also known as the First People/First Nation, or Aboriginal, for example.

Malnutrition

A condition resulting when a person is unable to eat what is needed to maintain good health

Milankovitch Cycles

Variations in the amount of solar radiation received by the Earth due to variations in the Earth’s orbit, its tilt and its wobble

Mitigation

Attempts to prevent climate change from happening

Ocean acidification

The decreasing pH due to increasing levels of carbon dioxide absorbed by seawater

Over-cultivation

Attempts to grow too many crops over a period of time, leading to a decline in soil quality.

Overgrazing

When pasture or grazing is unable to support the number of animals relying on it for food. The result is the vegetation cover declines and soil erosion sets in.

Population Pressure

When the number of people in an area begins to approach carrying capacity and places a strain on available resources

Refugee

A person whose reasons for migrating are due to fear of persecution or death

Sedentarisation

Making nomadic farmers remain in one area and not move around

Soil Erosion

The washing or blowing away of topsoil so that the fertility of the remaining soil is greatly reduced

Steric effect

The expansion of seawater as it gets warmer leading to a rise in sea levels. Also known as thermal expansion.

Sustainable

A term used to describe actions that minimize negative impacts on the environment and promote human well-being

Sustainable development

Development which improves basic living standards but not at the expense of future generations

Well-being

A condition experienced by people and greatly influenced by the standard of living and quality of life