Unit 5: Land & Water Use

Flashcards related to land and water use, covering key vocabulary, concepts, and definitions.

Tragedy of the Commons

A situation in which individual users of a shared resource act according to their own self-interest, leading to the degradation of the resource.

Clearcutting

The practice of cutting down all the trees in a given area, which can lead to habitat loss and increased erosion.

Green Revolution

A period marked by the increased agricultural production worldwide due to improved technology, crop varieties, and fertilizers.

Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs)

Organisms that have been altered using genetic engineering techniques to achieve desired traits such as pest resistance.

Tilling

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

Slash-and-burn farming

A method of agriculture involving the cutting and burning of forests to create fields, which can lead to soil infertility.

Drip irrigation

A highly efficient irrigation method that delivers water directly to the roots of plants.

Flood irrigation

An irrigation method where water is flooded over a field, which can lead to waterlogging and salinization.

Waterlogging

A condition where soil is saturated with water, which can harm plant growth.

Salinization

The accumulation of salts in soil, which can result from improper irrigation practices.

Aquifer

An underground layer of water-bearing rock that can yield water for human use.

Sustainability

The ability to meet present needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.

Integrated Pest Management (IPM)

A sustainable approach to managing pests that focuses on long-term prevention and employs a combination of techniques.

Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations (CAFOs)

Large-scale industrial agricultural facilities that raise and confine animals in a small area.

Urbanization

The population shift from rural to urban areas, which can affect natural resource use and the environment.

Ecological footprint

A measure of human demand on Earth's ecosystems, representing the amount of natural resources consumed.

Aquaculture

The cultivation of aquatic organisms such as fish or shellfish for food, which can have environmental impacts.

Overfishing

The depletion of fish stocks due to excessive fishing, affecting biodiversity.

Surface mining

The process of extracting minerals directly from the Earth's surface, which can result in significant environmental impacts.

Subsurface mining

A method of extracting minerals beneath the Earth's surface, which is often more expensive than surface mining.

Impervious structures

Man-made surfaces such as roads and buildings that do not allow water to penetrate, increasing runoff.

Fungi, Herbicides, Fungicides, Rodenticides, Insecticides

Chemical compounds used to kill pests, each targeting specific types of organisms.

Desertification

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