Unit 5 - Everything Else Additional Review Questions - How would you answer the following?

urbanization

The increasing population in urban areas, which can lead to negative health effects such as increased stress and mental health issues due to overcrowding.

environmental benefit of urbanization

Enhanced energy efficiency and reduced resource consumption due to denser living arrangements.

urban runoff

Water that runs off impervious surfaces in urban areas, leading to increased pollution in local waterways.

solution to urban runoff

Implementing green infrastructure such as rain gardens to absorb stormwater.

benefit of green infrastructure

Improved water quality through filtration and absorption of contaminants before they reach local waterways.

urban sprawl

The uncontrolled expansion of urban areas, often leading to loss of habitats and increased pollution.

solution to urban sprawl

Encouraging mixed-use developments to create compact, walkable neighborhoods.

ecological footprint

A measure of human demand on Earth's ecosystems, which can be reduced by using public transport, conserving energy, and consuming less meat.

sedimentation

The process by which sediment accumulates in water, harming aquatic ecosystems.

Tragedy of the Commons

A situation where individuals, acting independently according to their self-interest, deplete a shared resource.

economic tool for Tragedy of the Commons

Implementing carbon taxes to incentivize reduced greenhouse gas emissions.

negative outcomes of coastal city development

Increased risk of flooding and loss of coastal habitats.

urban heat island effect

The phenomenon where urban areas experience higher temperatures than surrounding rural areas due to human activities.

solution to urban heat

Planting more trees in urban areas to provide shade and cool the environment.

ecosystem services from forests

Benefits provided by forests, including carbon sequestration, habitat provision, soil erosion control, and water purification.

carbon sequestration

The process of capturing and storing atmospheric carbon dioxide to mitigate climate change.

range of tolerance

The range of environmental conditions that a species can withstand.

habitat loss and biodiversity loss

Consequences of urban development that can result in decreased species populations.

decrease meat consumption

A strategy for reducing one's ecological footprint by consuming less animal protein.

build up, not out

A principle of urban planning advocating for vertical development to conserve land.

runoff and infiltration

Runoff refers to water that flows over the land surface, while infiltration is the process of water soaking into the soil.

public transportation

Systems such as buses and trains that provide shared travel options, helping to reduce vehicular emissions.

aquaculture efficiency

Raising primary consumers like oysters is more efficient than secondary consumers like salmon due to energy transfer loss up the food chain.

soil erosion

The wearing away of topsoil due to water, wind, and human activities, leading to decreased land productivity.

acid rain

Precipitation that contains harmful levels of sulfuric acid due to pollution from burning fossil fuels.

tailings

Waste materials from mining operations that can pollute land and waterways when not managed properly.

pyrite

A mineral that can produce sulfuric acid when exposed to air and water, leading to environmental problems such as acid mine drainage.

acid mine drainage

The outflow of acidic water from mine sites, harming aquatic ecosystems and contaminating water supplies.