Environmental Impact of Human Activities

These flashcards cover key terms and concepts discussed in the lecture related to the impact of human activities on the environment.

Anthropocene

A proposed geological time defined by significant human influence on Earth's systems.

Ecosystem Engineer

An organism that creates, significantly modifies, maintains, or destroys a habitat.

Habitat Loss

The destruction or modification of an environment that leads to a decrease in biodiversity.

Biological Magnification

The increase in concentration of substances, such as pesticides, in the tissues of organisms at each successive level of the food chain.

Overexploitation

Harvesting a resource at a rate faster than it can replenish, leading to population decline.

Invasive Species

Non-native species that disrupt local ecosystems by outcompeting native species for resources.

Coral Bleaching

The loss of color in corals due to stress that causes them to expel the symbiotic algae living in their tissues.

Photosynthesis

The process by which green plants convert sunlight into chemical energy.

Deforestation

The clearing of trees or forests for agricultural or urban development.

Pollution

The introduction of harmful substances into the environment, causing adverse effects on ecosystems and organisms.