REAL unit 4 APES

Soil horizons order

O to A to E to B to C from top to bottom;O Horizon

Plate tectonics

Scientific theory describing the movement of lithospheric plates over the asthenosphere;Lithosphere

Convergent boundary

Plate boundary where two plates move toward each other often resulting in subduction or mountain formation;Divergent boundary

Earthquake

Release of stored elastic energy along a fault resulting in ground shaking;Richter scale

Rock cycle

Geologic process that continuously forms alters and recycles rock material;Igneous rock

Weathering

In situ breakdown of rock into smaller particles without movement;Erosion

Soil

Natural body composed of mineral particles organic matter water and air capable of supporting plant life;Soil formation factors

Cation exchange capacity

Ability of soil to adsorb and release positively charged ions essential for plant nutrition;

Green Revolution

Period of increased agricultural productivity due to advances in crop varieties irrigation fertilizers and mechanization;Mechanization

Irrigation

Application of water to crops to supplement natural precipitation;Waterlogging

Fertilizer

Substance added to soil to supply essential nutrients for plant growth;Organic fertilizer

Monocropping

Agricultural practice of growing a single crop species over a large area repeatedly;Monocropping benefit

Pesticide

Substance used to eliminate or control organisms considered harmful to crops;Insecticide

Pesticide resistance

Genetic adaptation that allows some pests to survive pesticide exposure;Pesticide treadmill

GMO

Organism whose genetic material has been altered through genetic engineering techniques;GMO benefits

CAFO

Concentrated animal feeding operation designed to maximize production of livestock in confined spaces;CAFO problems

Fishery

Population of fish that is harvested for commercial purposes;Fishery collapse

Urban blight

Decline of urban areas characterized by deteriorating infrastructure and population loss;Positive feedback loop

Clear cutting

Forestry practice that removes most or all trees from an area often increasing erosion and habitat loss;Selective cutting

Urban sprawl

Expansion of low density urban development into rural areas;Causes of urban sprawl

Smart growth

Urban planning approach that promotes sustainable and efficient land use;Transit oriented development

Desertification

Process by which fertile land becomes degraded into arid desert conditions;Nomadic grazing

Sustainable agriculture

Agricultural practices that maintain soil fertility and ecosystem health over time;Crop rotation

Integrated pest management

Strategy that combines biological cultural and chemical methods to minimize pesticide use;Organic agriculture

Aquaculture

Cultivation of aquatic organisms under controlled conditions;Aquaculture benefit