Humanities Final Exam Review: Environmental Impact and Society

Biodiversity

Variety of life on Earth.

Threats to Biodiversity

Factors endangering species and ecosystems.

Deforestation

Clearing forests for agriculture or urban use.

Marine Environment Depletion

Reduction of ocean resources affecting ecosystems.

Climate Change

Long-term alteration of temperature and weather patterns.

Biome

Group of ecosystems with similar climate and communities.

Aquatic Biome

Includes freshwater and marine ecosystems.

Freshwater Biome

Includes ponds, lakes, rivers, and wetlands.

Marine Biome

Includes oceans, coral reefs, and estuaries.

Tropical Rainforest

High biodiversity, warm temperatures, and high rainfall.

Temperate Forest

Seasonal weather with diverse tree types.

Boreal Forest (Taiga)

Cold climate with coniferous trees.

Savanna

Grassland with scattered trees, seasonal rainfall.

Desert

Low precipitation, extreme temperatures, and sparse vegetation.

Tundra

Cold, low biodiversity, and permafrost soil.

NPP (Net Primary Productivity)

Rate of energy production in ecosystems.

Climate

Average weather conditions over 30 years.

Weather

Day-to-day atmospheric conditions.

Soil Type

Composition affecting plant growth and ecosystem health.

Species

Group of organisms capable of interbreeding.

Vegetation

Plant life in a specific area.

Wildlife

Animal life in a specific habitat.

Rainforest

Dense forest with diverse plant and animal life.

Forest Floor

Dark, low-light area beneath rainforest canopy.

Flood Absorption

Tiny shrubs absorb floodwater in rainforests.

Climbers (Lianas)

Woody vines that climb trees for sunlight.

Desert

Arid region with extreme temperature variations.

Cactus Adaptation

Stores water and withstands extreme temperatures.

Nocturnal Animals

Active at night to avoid daytime heat.

Camel Adaptation

Thick fur and fat storage for heat resistance.

Serengeti

Ecosystem in Tanzania with diverse wildlife.

Grasslands

Transitional biome between deserts and rainforests.

Vegetation Adaptation

Plants adjust to seasonal climate changes.

Tundra

Cold biome with limited sunlight and warmth.

Hibernation

Dormancy during winter to conserve energy.

Aquatic Environments

Habitats including freshwater and marine ecosystems.

Lakes and Ponds

Still water bodies, smaller than rivers.

Streams and Rivers

Flowing water bodies with diverse wildlife.

Wetlands

Waterlogged areas supporting unique plant and animal life.

Marine Environments

Oceans and coastal areas rich in biodiversity.

Coral Reefs

Marine structures formed by coral organisms.

Biodiversity Factors

Depth, sunlight, salinity, and temperature affect life.

Human Impact

Activities that negatively affect natural ecosystems.

Deforestation

Clearing forests for agriculture or urban development.

Desertification

Land degradation in arid regions due to human activity.

Rhino Poaching

Illegal hunting of rhinos for their horns.

Serengeti Tourism

Tourism in Serengeti impacts local ecosystems.

Overgrazing

Excessive grazing leading to land degradation.

Sustainable Tourism

Tourism that conserves resources and benefits locals.

Eco Tourism

Responsible travel to natural areas conserving environment.

Oil Spills

Accidental release of oil into oceans.

Trans Alaska Pipeline

Pipeline transporting oil across Alaska.

Global Warming

Increase in Earth's average temperature due to emissions.

Tundra

Cold, treeless biome with permafrost.

Eutrophication

Nutrient pollution causing excessive algae growth.

Dead Zones

Areas in water bodies with low oxygen.

Great Pacific Garbage Patch

Large area of marine debris accumulation.

Shark Finning

Removal of shark fins for soup, harming populations.

Coral Bleaching

Loss of color in corals due to stress.

Ghost Fishing

Lost fishing gear continues to catch marine life.

Sustainability

Meeting needs without compromising future generations.

Great Green Wall

8,000 km project to combat desertification in Sahara.

Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs

Theory of human motivation based on needs.

Economic Systems

Methods societies use to allocate scarce resources.

Feudalism

Socioeconomic system based on land ownership hierarchy.

Capitalism

Economic system based on private ownership and profit.

Communism

Economic system where resources are shared equally.

Global Culture

Emerging shared culture influenced by globalization.

Sustainability

Three elements: economic, social, environmental.

Economic Sustainability

Focus on financial health and resource management.

Social Sustainability

Ensuring social equity and community well-being.

Environmental Sustainability

Preserving natural resources for future generations.

Empire

A large political unit ruled by a central authority.

Roman Empire

Ancient empire known for extensive territorial expansion.

Mongol Empire

Largest contiguous empire in history, known for conquests.

British Empire

Global empire known for colonial expansion and trade.

Military Conquest

Acquisition of territory through armed forces.

Imperialism

Modern term for empire creation and expansion.

City-State

A sovereign state consisting of a city and surrounding territory.

Central Authority

Recognized governing body in an empire.

Tax Collection

Gathering resources to fund empire operations.

Legal Systems

Framework of laws governing society and governance.

Roman Law

Legal code known as Twelve Tables in Rome.

Infrastructure

Physical structures supporting economic and social activities.

Cultural Exchange

Sharing of ideas, beliefs, and practices between cultures.

Standing Armies

Permanent military forces maintained for defense.

Alliances

Agreements between states for mutual benefit.

Treaties

Formal agreements between nations or empires.

Military Strength

Capability to defend and expand territory.

Leadership

Central force necessary for effective empire governance.

Empire Collapse

Inevitability of empires failing due to various reasons.

Climate Change

Affects agriculture, leading to food shortages.

Invasion

Rival state attacks an empire, destabilizing it.

Innovation

New technologies that can enhance military or economy.

Military Superiority

Having a stronger military than rivals.

Economic Weakness

Financial instability undermining an empire's power.

Taxation Systems

Essential for funding government and services.

Transportation Systems

Infrastructure for moving goods and people.

Corruption

Dishonest behavior undermining governance and stability.

Civil Wars

Internal conflicts leading to fragmentation of power.