Unit 5 Terms: Green Revolution, Tragedy of the Commons

What does the tragedy of the commons suggest?

Individuals will use shared resources in their own self-interest, leading to depletion.

What is a sustainable yield?

The maximum level at which a natural resource can be harvested without long-term depletion.

What assumption does sustainable yield operate under?

Populations of renewable resources have a carrying capacity that can be maintained.

What is clearcutting?

The removal of all trees from a tract of forested land, ranging from 20 hectares to 10,000 hectares.

Why is clearcutting done?

It is the quickest, easiest, and most cost-effective way to remove trees.

What are some negative impacts of clearcutting?

Soil erosion, increased stream temperatures, flooding, loss of biodiversity, and acceleration of climate change.

What ecosystem services do forests provide?

Regulating, provisioning, supporting, and cultural services.

What is one method to mitigate deforestation?

Reforestation or using wood harvested by ecologically sustainable forestry techniques.

What is integrated pest management (IPM)?

A method to protect forests from pathogens and insects by managing pest populations sustainably.

What is a prescribed burn?

A method where forests are set on fire under controlled conditions to reduce natural fire occurrences.

What is selective cutting in sustainable forestry?

Harvesting select trees while leaving an uneven-aged stand to maintain ecosystem services.

What is the Green Revolution?

A shift to new agricultural strategies to increase food production, with both positive and negative results.

What are some strategies of the Green Revolution?

Mechanization, genetically modified organisms (GMOs), fertilization, irrigation, and pesticide use.

Who is Norman Borlaug and what did he achieve?

An American agronomist who created a dwarf variety of wheat that increased food production.

What was the impact of the Green Revolution on rice and wheat yields in Asia?

Yields doubled from the 1960s to the 1990s, even as the population increased by 60%.

What is slash and burn agriculture?

A method where wild or forested land is clear-cut and remaining vegetation is burned.

What are the benefits of mechanization in farming?

Increases profits and efficiency, but also increases reliance on fossil fuels.

What is the relationship between clearcutting and carbon dioxide emissions?

Cutting and burning trees releases carbon dioxide, contributing to climate change.

How does clearcutting affect soil and water systems?

It leads to increased soil erosion and loss of infiltration, causing flooding.

What is the role of trees in carbon sequestration?

Trees absorb carbon dioxide, helping to moderate climate and support biodiversity.

What are the consequences of losing forest habitats?

Loss of biodiversity and wildlife habitats, impacting ecosystem stability.

What is the significance of maintaining multiple age classes in forests?

It supports biodiversity and complex niche structures within the ecosystem.

What is the primary benefit of ash in cleared land?

It provides nutrient-rich layers to help fertilize crops.

In which regions is slash-and-burn agriculture primarily practiced?

Developing countries, rainforest areas of Africa, Northern South America, and Southeast Asia.

What is a major consequence of unsustainable agricultural practices?

The soil will soon be depleted of nutrients and will not support crop growth.

What is the impact of rainforest deforestation on agriculture?

Rainforest is being cut at an unsustainable rate, faster than it can be replenished.

What characterizes industrial agriculture?

It is large-scale, monoculture farming that relies on mechanization and heavy tilling.

What are the environmental concerns associated with fertilizers in industrial agriculture?

Large inputs of nitrogen and phosphorus can run off and cause eutrophication.

What is a Genetically Modified Organism (GMO)?

A plant or animal whose genetic makeup has been modified in a laboratory.

What are some advantages of using GMOs in agriculture?

They can be made drought-resistant, heat-tolerant, and can have built-in pesticides.

What are some concerns regarding the use of GMOs?

Loss of ancestral crop varieties, environmental effects from herbicides, and potential human health issues.

What percentage of freshwater is used for irrigation?

70%.

What is the 'tragedy of the commons' in relation to groundwater?

It refers to the unsustainable use of shared resources like groundwater.

What is waterlogging, and how does it affect plants?

Waterlogging occurs when excess water raises the water table, inhibiting plants' ability to absorb oxygen.

What is salinization, and what causes it?

Salinization is the accumulation of salts in soil, often caused by overirrigation or poor drainage.

What are some methods to prevent soil salinization?

Reduce irrigation, use better practices, flush soil, or switch to salt-tolerant crops.

What is furrow irrigation?

A method that involves cutting furrows between crop rows and filling them with water.

What are the drawbacks of flood irrigation?

It can lead to waterlogging and loses about 20% of water to evaporation and runoff.

How does spray irrigation compare to other methods?

It is more efficient, losing only 1/4 or less of water, but is more expensive and requires energy.

What is the most efficient irrigation method?

Drip irrigation, which loses only 5% of water to evaporation and runoff.

What is the primary purpose of pesticides?

To decrease crop damage and increase crop yield.

What type of pesticide is used to kill weeds?

Herbicide.

What are the unintended consequences of pesticide use?

Pesticide mobility can lead to environmental contamination.

What is DDT and what is its impact?

DDT is a broad-spectrum pesticide that bioaccumulates and can thin eggshells, killing birds.

What percentage of calories consumed in developing countries comes from animals?

40%.

What is a CAFO?

Concentrated Animal Feeding Operation, a method to efficiently raise livestock for slaughter.

What are the benefits of CAFOs?

They are less expensive and quicker than other livestock raising methods.

What is a major environmental problem associated with CAFOs?

They generate large amounts of organic waste that can contaminate soil and water.

What is the main advantage of free-range grazing?

Animals graze naturally, resulting in less antibiotic use and organic waste acting as fertilizer.

What is a significant disadvantage of free-range grazing?

It requires a lot of land and results in higher meat costs for consumers.

What greenhouse gas is produced by cattle during digestion?

Methane.

What is the 'tragedy of the commons' in relation to overgrazing?

It refers to the unsustainable use of land due to too many animals grazing in one area.

What are the effects of overgrazing?

Soil compaction, loss of vegetation, increased soil erosion, and potential desertification.

What is rotational grazing?

The practice of regularly moving livestock between pastures to prevent overgrazing.

What is a major cause of overfishing?

Fishing at unsustainable yields without allowing fish populations to repopulate.

What is IUU fishing?

Illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing that generates significant illegal profits.

What is a potential impact of overfishing on ecosystems?

Loss of biodiversity and disruption of food chains, potentially causing trophic cascades.

What is the role of international legislation in combating overfishing?

To provide global policing and accountability for the world's oceans.

What are the primary resources we mine for?

Metals, non-metal minerals, and fossil fuels.

What is ore?

Rock that contains a concentration of a mineral that can be profitably mined.

What happens as high-grade ores are depleted?

Mining operations must access lower-grade ores, which require more resources and can increase waste.

What happens when high-grade ore is depleted?

Mining must move on to lower-grade ore, requiring more ore to be mined for the same amount of material.

What are the two main categories of mining?

Surface mining and subsurface mining.

What is surface mining?

Mining done when the ore is closer to the surface.

What are some environmental impacts of mining?

Construction of roads, burning fossil fuels, habitat loss, habitat fragmentation, dust, erosion, and contamination of surface water and groundwater.

What is subsurface mining?

Mining when the target resource is much deeper below the surface, which is more expensive and dangerous.

What are some risks associated with subsurface mining?

Mine collapses, fires/explosions, and black lung disease.

How does mining in less developed nations differ from developed nations?

It may have more negative impacts due to more human health risks, fewer regulations, and less mechanization.

What are mining wastes?

Tailings, chemicals used during extraction, and rock fragments that may contain heavy metals.

What is urbanization?

The population shift from rural to urban residency, not just the size of the city.

What are some effects of urbanization on fossil fuel use?

Increased fossil fuel use and greater carbon emissions, affecting climate change.

What is saltwater intrusion?

Occurs when urbanization in coastal areas pulls the saltwater boundary towards freshwater, contaminating it.

What is urban sprawl?

The expansion of human populations away from central urban areas into low-density, car-dependent communities.

What are some causes of urban sprawl?

Increased reliance on cars, expanded roadways, wealth, cheaper taxes outside the city, and desire for better schools and lower crime.

What are impermeable surfaces?

Surfaces that prevent water from entering the soil, decreasing aquifer recharge and increasing stormwater runoff.

What are some solutions to impermeable surfaces?

Permeable pavement, planting trees, increased public transportation, and compact development.

What is an ecological footprint?

A measure of human demand on the environment, including land/water for resources and waste management.

What is the global average ecological footprint?

1.7 hectares (4.4 acres) per person.

What does sustainability refer to?

Using natural resources without depleting them for future generations.

What is sustainable yield?

The amount of a renewable resource that can be taken without reducing its available supply.

What are environmental indicators of sustainability?

Population growth, extinction rates, CO2 concentration levels, and greenhouse gas levels.

What are the goals of IPM?

Minimize the impact of pest control on the environment and use pesticides only when necessary.

What is the significance of the Anthropocene?

It refers to the current geological epoch where human activities are the dominant influence on the environment and climate.

What is the impact of urbanization on agricultural irrigation?

Saltwater intrusion contaminates freshwater sources used for irrigation.

What is the role of human activities in the Anthropocene?

They alter natural ecosystems and significantly influence environmental and climate conditions.

What are some physical methods for pest control?

Traps, barriers, and vacuuming.

What does sustainable agriculture aim to reduce?

Tillage, reliance on soluble inorganic fertilizers, and hormone/antibiotic use in livestock.

What is contour plowing?

An agricultural practice that reduces soil erosion by plowing along the contours of the land.

Define perennial crops.

Crops that live year-round and can be harvested multiple times before dying.

What is no-till agriculture?

A type of conservation tillage where crops are planted without dramatically disturbing the soil.

What is the purpose of liming in agriculture?

To reduce soil acidity and improve microbial activity and nutrient holding capacity.

What is aquaculture?

The rearing of aquatic animals in enclosed areas for food production.

What are some potential problems associated with aquaculture?

Disease transmission among fish, contamination of water, and competition with wild fish.

What is a sustainable solution to aquaculture issues?

Land-based fish farming with recirculated water for a controlled environment.

What is selective cutting in forestry?

A logging practice that involves removing specific trees while leaving others intact.

What is the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) logo?

A certification indicating that wood comes from a well-managed forest with lower-impact logging methods.

What is reforestation?

The process of planting trees in an area where forests have been depleted.

Who was Wangari Maathai?

A Nobel Peace Prize recipient who started the Green Belt Movement to promote tree planting in Kenya.

What role does fire play in maintaining healthy forest ecosystems?

Periodic fire reduces fuel load, kills infected trees, recycles nutrients, and stimulates new growth.

What is prairie restoration?

Management practices that include prescribed burns to restore grassland ecosystems.