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Tragedy of the Commons

A situation in which individuals use shared/public resources in their own self-interest, leading to degradation.

Examples of Tragedy of the Commons

Overfishing, air pollution, overuse of groundwater.

What must a resource be to qualify as a Tragedy of the Commons?

Must be a public resource that is degraded or overused.

Externalities

Negative costs associated with a human action that aren't reflected in the price.

What is a direct consequence of overfishing?

Fishery collapse, loss of income, and starvation.

Clean Air Act

Legislation aimed at controlling air pollution on a national level.

What is the main issue with public resources in Tragedy of the Commons?

There is no ownership, so individuals do not suffer direct consequences for overusing them.

Soil Erosion

Removal of topsoil due to water or wind, exacerbated by clearcutting.

Direct effect of clearcutting

Increased flooding and landslides due to loss of root structure and soil health.

Tree Plantations

Areas where the same species of trees are repeatedly planted, reducing biodiversity.

What happens as a result of monocropping?

Decreased biodiversity and increased soil erosion.

Green Revolution

Shift to large, industrial-scale agribusiness involving mechanization, GMOs, irrigation, and fertilizers.

Pesticides

Chemicals that kill pests but can harm non-target species and lead to resistance.

Soil Salinization

Build up of salts in soil due to irrigation practices.

Aquifers

Underground water storage in permeable rock layers.

Integrated Pest Management (IPM)

Combining different pest control methods to minimize environmental impact.

Genetic Modification in crops

The alteration of crops at a genetic level to enhance desirable traits like pest resistance.

Retrofitting Urban Areas

Encouraging vertical building to decrease impervious surfaces and urban runoff.

Max Sustainable Yield

Maximum amount of a resource that can be harvested without diminishing future harvests.

What is a consequence of urban sprawl?

Decline in tax revenue for the city and increased abandonment of homes.

Sustainable Agriculture

Farming practices that aim to meet current production needs without compromising future generations.

What does the Clean Water Act aim to do?

Regulate discharges of pollutants into U.S. waters.

Slash & Burn agriculture

A method where vegetation is cut and burned to clear land for agriculture.

Air Pollutants

Substances in the air that can cause harm to human health and the environment.

Eutrophication

Over-enrichment of water bodies due to excess nutrients leading to algal blooms.

What is the role of the Bureau of Land Management (BLM)?

It manages public rangelands and collects grazing fees to prevent overgrazing.

Impacts of overfishing

Decreased fish populations and biodiversity, economic losses for communities.

Deforestation consequences

Loss of biodiversity, decreased carbon storage, and increased CO2 emissions.

What are tailings?

Waste material separated from ore during mining processes.

Mineral Reserve

The known amount of a resource that can be economically mined.

Dip irrigation

A highly efficient watering method that minimizes evaporation and runoff.

What does urbanization typically involve?

Transformation of land from natural landscapes to urban environments.

Soil Conservation techniques

Practices implemented to prevent soil erosion and maintain soil health.

Community Supported Agriculture (CSA)

A system that connects producers and consumers to build local food systems.

Public Transit Benefits

Reduction in urban runoff, pollution, and overall CO2 emissions.

What is soil compaction?

Compression of soil that reduces pore space and water retention.

Ecological Footprint

A measure of human demand on the Earth's ecosystems, expressed in area.

What is the significance of biodiversity?

Higher biodiversity indicates healthier ecosystems and resilience to disturbances.

Wetlands

Areas of land that are inundated or saturated by water, support biodiversity.

Preservation vs. Conservation

Preservation seeks to protect nature from use, while conservation promotes sustainable use.

Furrow irrigation

A less efficient method of irrigation involving trenches filled with water.

Drip irrigation

An irrigation method that provides water directly to plant roots, conserving water.

What are the effects of overgrazing?

Erosion, desertification, and decreased soil water holding capacity.

Selective Cutting

Cutting down some trees while leaving others standing to preserve habitat.

Composting

The process of decomposing organic matter to create nutrient-rich soil.

Coal Mining Impacts

Air pollution, habitat destruction, and greenhouse gas emissions.

Carbon Footprint

The total greenhouse gas emissions caused by an individual, event, or organization.

Nutrient Cycling in ecosystems

The movement and exchange of organic and inorganic matter back into the production of living matter.

Erosion Control Methods

Techniques like contour ploughing and terracing used to prevent soil loss.

Parchment Method in agriculture

Planting cover crops in the off-season to maintain soil moisture and nutrients.

Soil Fertility Restoration

Methods to improve nutrient levels, such as crop rotation and green manure.

Benefits of Aquaculture

Less water and space needed compared to traditional fishing methods.

Drawbacks of Aquaculture

Disease risks and waste management issues due to high-density fish farming.

Urban Growth Boundaries

Zoning laws that limit development to reduce urban sprawl.

What is the consequence of nitrogen runoff?

It can lead to water pollution, eutrophication, and dead zones in aquatic systems.

Green Revolution's impact

Increased food production but also led to soil degradation and water contamination.

Integrated Pest Management drawbacks

More complex and potentially costlier than traditional pesticide use.

What does non-point source pollution refer to?

Pollution that does not originate from a single source, often widespread.

Coastal Urbanization effects

Increased saltwater intrusion from rising sea levels and over-extraction of groundwater.

What does the term 'overburden' refer to in mining?

Soil and rock layers above an ore deposit that must be removed to access it.

Overall trend in global urban areas

Increasing movement toward urban areas with a trend of urban sprawl.

Rangelands management

Practices aimed at maintaining the health of grasslands used for grazing.

Biodiversity Conservation strategies

Efforts to protect species and their habitats, including reserves and laws.

Wastewater treatment methods

Processes used to remove contaminants from wastewater to protect water quality.

Vertical farming benefits

Space-efficient agricultural practices that can enhance urban greening.

Carbon sequestration

The capture and storage of atmospheric CO2 in forests, soils, and other systems.

What is slash and burn agriculture?

A method of clearing land by cutting and burning vegetation.

Urban planning importance

Designing cities to optimize space, sustainability, and accessibility of resources.

What is the role of selective cutting in forestry?

To manage forests sustainably while preserving biodiversity.

Impact of introduced species on ecosystems

Can disrupt local ecosystems and lead to the decline of native species.

Environmental indicators

Measurements used to assess the health of ecosystems and guide policy.

What is the main goal of sustainability?

To meet current needs without compromising future generations' ability to meet theirs.

Integrated watershed management

Coordinated management of land, water, and resources across a watershed.

Impacts of urbanization on local ecosystems

Habitat loss, increased runoff, and altered local climates.

Consequences of industrial agriculture

Soil degradation, loss of biodiversity, and increased pollution.

Aquaculture's introduction of GMOs concerns

Risk of artifical traits spreading to wild populations if fish escape.

Importance of green roofs

Provides insulation, reduces runoff, and filters air pollutants.

Hydroponics

Method of growing plants without soil, using nutrient-rich water instead.

Social sustainability

Focuses on the impact of sustainability practices on communities and social equity.

What does 'conservation tillage' aim to do?

To minimize soil disturbance and maintain organic matter in the soil.

Impacts of mechanization in agriculture

Increased efficiency but reliance on fossil fuels and potential soil degradation.

What is rotational grazing?

A method of grazing that allows recovery of pasture areas without overuse.