Resources and Environment

This set of vocabulary flashcards covers the fundamental definitions and classifications of resources, soil horizons, environmental conservation practices, and wildlife status categories as presented in the lecture.

Resource

According to Zimmermann, this does not refer to a thing or a substance but to a function which a thing or a substance may perform or to an operation in which it may take part to satisfy a want.

Utility

One of the two essential attributes of resources, defined as the ability to satisfy a need, which varies based on person, time, and place.

Functionality

One of the two essential attributes of resources, referring to the quality or state of being functional or how well a resource performs its intended operation.

Biotic Resource

Living organisms and their products used by humans directly or indirectly, including plants, animals, microorganisms, and organic materials.

Abiotic Resource

Non-living components of an ecosystem that biotic factors depend on for survival and reproduction.

Renewable Resources

Resources that can be replenished or replaced naturally over time and are not depleted by human use, such as solar energy and wind energy.

Non-Renewable Resources

Resources that cannot be replenished or replaced once depleted, often taking millions of years to form, such as fossil fuels and minerals.

Fossil Fuels

Non-renewable resources like coal, oil, and natural gas formed from the remains of plants and animals buried deep in the Earth's crust.

Nuclear Energy

Energy obtained by splitting uranium atoms in a process called nuclear fission, using the non-renewable resource uranium as fuel.

Pedogenesis

The slow and continuous process of soil formation influenced by weathering, organic matter addition, and climate over thousands of years.

O-Horizon

The organic layer of soil, which is the topmost layer consisting of decomposed leaves, plants, and animal matter rich in humus.

A-Horizon

The topsoil layer, which contains a mix of minerals and organic material, is dark in color, and is the most fertile layer for plant growth.

E-Horizon

The eluviation layer, which serves as a zone of leaching where minerals and nutrients are washed down, appearing lighter in color.

B-Horizon

The subsoil layer, which is rich in minerals leached from top layers and often appears reddish or brown due to iron oxides.

C-Horizon

The parent material layer, composed of weathered rock fragments that provide the basic minerals for soil formation.

R-Horizon

The bedrock layer, which is the solid rock beneath all soil layers and serves as the source material for soil through weathering.

Soil Erosion

The process where the top fertile layer of soil is removed by wind, water, or human activities, leading to loss of fertile land and desertification.

Afforestation

The conservation practice of planting trees to restore lost forest cover and prevent soil from being washed or blown away.

Carbon Sequestration

The environmental process where trees absorb carbon dioxide, helping to mitigate climate change and acting as carbon sinks.

Deforestation

The destruction of forests at an alarming rate due to agricultural expansion, urbanization, logging, and overexploitation.

Extinct (EX)

An IUCN classification for species that no longer exist anywhere in the world, such as the Dodo or Tasmanian Tiger.

Critically Endangered (CR)

An IUCN classification for species at an extremely high risk of extinction, such as the Vaquita or Javan Rhino.

Vulnerable (VU)

An IUCN classification for species at risk of becoming endangered if threats continue, such as the African Elephant or Giant Panda.

Mineral

A naturally occurring substance, representable by a chemical formula, that is usually solid and inorganic with a crystal structure.

Sustainable Development

Growth that balances economic needs with environmental protection to ensure future generations have access to the same resources available today.