Human-Environment Interaction

Floodplain

The area subject to flooding during a given number of years according to historical trends

environmental perspective

A perspective focused on the interaction between physical and human systems or between natural landscapes and societies

environmental determinism

the view that the natural environment has a controlling influence over various aspects of human life including cultural development

Posibilism

The theory that the physical environment may set limits on human actions, but people have the ability to adjust to the physical environment and choose a course of action from many alternatives

Desertification

Degradation of land, especially in semiarid areas, primarily because of human actions like excessive crop planting, animal grazing, and tree cutting

Alexander von Humboldt

A Prussian explorer and naturalist (1769-1859), who traveled widely, especially in the Americas, categorizing natural objects and writing about the importance of scientific inquiry

Carl Ritter

A German geographer (1779-1859), who emphasized observation of the landscape and who argued that geography must focus on understanding the interconnections among phenomena on the earth's surface and not just basic description

population increase

The increase of population taking in account of emigration and immigration

poverty

the state of being poor

poor farming methods

farming techniques that increase desertification

Overgrazing

Destruction of vegetation caused by too many grazing animals consuming the plants in a particular area so they cannot recover

use of trees and vegetation for firewood

Trees and plants are cut for burning

nomads living in one spot

Puts the area under constant stress

drinking water

water that is safe to drink

dust storms

A severe windstorm that sweeps clouds of dust across an extensive area, especially in an arid region

toxic contaminants

Toxic minerals and poisonous dusts