Human-Environment Interaction & Scales (VOCABULARY)

Vocabulary flashcards covering key concepts from the notes on human-environment interaction, ecological theory, resources, and the different scales of geographic analysis.

Human-Environment Interaction

The idea that humans modify their habitat through purposeful or accidental activities, influencing land use and the environment.

Cultural Ecology

A field of study that combines ecology with culture to examine how societies interact with their local environments.

Ecology

The study of relationships among living organisms and their physical environments; the term originally referred to biology.

Ecosystem

A territorially bounded system of interaction between humans and the environment, influenced by politics, economics, and culture.

Environmental Perception

How people view and interpret the natural environment, shaped by knowledge, experience, values, and emotions; perceptions can be accurate or inaccurate.

Natural Hazards

Physical dangers such as floods, hurricanes, earthquakes, and droughts, whose impacts can be influenced by human behavior.

Environmental Determinism

The view that the physical environment dominates cultural development and that people are passive products of their surroundings.

Possibilism

The belief that the environment offers multiple potential pathways for a society, with culture, politics, and technology guiding choices.

DAM

An acronym: Depend on, Adapt to, and Modify the physical environment (humans alter the environment, e.g., by building dams).

Nonrenewable Resources

Natural resources available in finite quantities that cannot be replenished on a human time scale (e.g., natural gas, oil, coal).

Renewable Resources

Resources that replenish naturally and can be used indefinitely (e.g., solar, wind, hydroelectric, geothermal).

Fossil Fuels

Energy sources formed from the remains of ancient organisms—oil, coal, and natural gas—that are major pollutants when burned.

Nuclear Energy

Energy produced by nuclear reactions; not renewable; highly energy-efficient; emits no greenhouse gases during operation but poses waste and accident risks.

Greenhouse Gases

Gases such as CO2 released from fossil-fuel combustion that trap heat in Earth's atmosphere.

Greenhouse Effect

The warming of Earth’s surface caused by the trapping of heat by greenhouse gases.

Sustainability

Practices that meet present needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet theirs.

Globalization

The increasing interconnectedness and interdependence of the world’s economies, cultures, and populations.

Glocal Perspective

The idea that global-scale processes affect local realities and that local actions can influence global outcomes; think and act both globally and locally.

Scale (Geographic Scale)

The geographic extent of the area under investigation; differs from map scale and affects interpretation.

Global Scale of Analysis

Examines phenomena across the entire world; important due to globalization and global environmental issues.

Regional Scale of Analysis

Analyzes phenomena within a specific region and allows comparison between regions.

National Scale of Analysis

Analyzes phenomena within a country using national data to explain differences between countries.

Local Scale of Analysis

Analyzes phenomena within cities, neighborhoods, or small areas; provides detailed insights not visible at larger scales.

Stimulus Diffusion

The spread of an underlying idea or principle, with local adaptations; exemplified by Burger King offering local menu items in different countries.

Global Climate/Environmental Issues and Scale

Many issues (pollution, poverty, development) are best studied at a global scale due to interconnectedness and transboundary effects.

Which concept describes the idea that humans modify their habitat through purposeful or accidental activities, influencing land use and the environment?

A) Human-Environment Interaction
B) Cultural Ecology
C) Environmental Determinism
D) Possibilism
Correct Answer: A) Human-Environment Interaction

What field of study combines ecology with culture to examine how societies interact with their local environments?

A) Human-Environment Interaction
B) Cultural Ecology
C) Ecology
D) Environmental Perception
Correct Answer: B) Cultural Ecology

What is the study of relationships among living organisms and their physical environments, originally referring to biology?

A) Cultural Ecology
B) Ecosystem
C) Ecology
D) Environmental Perception
Correct Answer: C) Ecology

What is a territorially bounded system of interaction between humans and the environment, influenced by politics, economics, and culture?

A) Ecology
B) Human-Environment Interaction
C) Ecosystem
D) Natural Hazards
Correct Answer: C) Ecosystem

How people view and interpret the natural environment, shaped by knowledge, experience, values, and emotions, describes which concept?