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What is urban sprawl?
Urban sprawl refers to the uncontrolled expansion of urban areas into rural land.
What are primary causes of deforestation?
The primary causes of deforestation include agriculture, logging, and urban expansion.
What is the importance of wetlands?
Wetlands act as natural water filters, provide habitat for wildlife, and help mitigate floods.
What does the term 'carrying capacity' mean?
Carrying capacity is the maximum population size that an environment can sustainably support.
Define sustainable land use.
Sustainable land use involves managing land resources in a way that meets current needs without compromising future generations.
What is the impact of overgrazing?
Overgrazing can lead to soil degradation, desertification, and loss of biodiversity.
What are renewable resources?
Renewable resources are natural resources that can replenish themselves over time, such as solar energy and wind.
What is the significance of watershed management?
Watershed management is important for maintaining water quality, ensuring water availability, and preventing erosion.
What does 'agricultural biodiversity' refer to?
Agricultural biodiversity refers to the variety of crops and livestock that are cultivated and raised for food.
What is integrated pest management (IPM)?
Integrated Pest Management is a holistic approach to pest control that uses biological, cultural, and chemical methods.
What are the effects of monoculture farming?
Monoculture farming can lead to reduced soil fertility, increased pest outbreaks, and loss of biodiversity.
Define desertification.
Desertification is the degradation of land in arid and semi-arid areas, resulting from various factors including climate change.
What is aquaculture?
Aquaculture is the farming of fish, crustaceans, mollusks, and aquatic plants for food and other uses.
What does 'water footprint' measure?
The water footprint measures the total volume of freshwater used to produce goods and services.
What is the difference between point and nonpoint source pollution?
Point source pollution comes from a single, identifiable source, while nonpoint source pollution comes from multiple diffuse sources.
What is the purpose of land-use planning?
Land-use planning aims to manage land resources effectively to balance environmental, economic, and social objectives.
What are the major types of soil erosion?
The major types of soil erosion are water erosion, wind erosion, and tillage erosion.
How do fossil fuels impact land use?
The extraction and use of fossil fuels can lead to habitat destruction, pollution, and landscape alteration.
What is a greenbelt?
A greenbelt is an area of open land around a city, designated to limit urban sprawl and maintain space for recreation.
Define sustainable agriculture.
Sustainable agriculture is farming that meets current food needs without compromising the ability of future generations to produce food.
What is the role of the Clean Water Act?
The Clean Water Act regulates discharges of pollutants into U.S. waters to protect water quality.
What is irrigation, and why is it important?
Irrigation is the artificial application of water to land to assist in growing crops; it's important for food production.
What are urban heat islands?
Urban heat islands are metropolitan areas that are significantly warmer than their rural surroundings due to human activities.
What is the purpose of zoning laws?
Zoning laws regulate land use and development to promote organized growth and land use efficiency.
What is biofuel?
Biofuel is a type of renewable energy derived from organic materials, such as plant and animal waste.
Define watershed.
A watershed is an area of land that drains rainfall and snowmelt into a common waterbody.
What is the significance of crop rotation?
Crop rotation helps improve soil health, reduce pest and disease problems, and increase yields.
What does 'land degradation' mean?
Land degradation refers to the decline in land quality and productivity due to human activities and environmental factors.
What are the benefits of organic farming?
Organic farming promotes biodiversity, reduces chemical use, and improves soil health and water conservation.
What is the purpose of the Endangered Species Act?
The Endangered Species Act aims to protect and recover imperiled species and their ecosystems.
What is aquifer depletion?
Aquifer depletion occurs when groundwater is extracted faster than it can be replenished.
What are some effects of climate change on land use?
Climate change can alter agricultural productivity, increase the frequency of extreme weather, and impact water availability.
Define urbanization.
Urbanization is the process by which rural areas transform into urban areas due to population growth and development.
What is a conservation easement?
A conservation easement is a legal agreement that restricts development to protect conservation values of a property.
What is green infrastructure?
Green infrastructure refers to a network of natural and semi-natural features that provide environmental benefits.
What is deforesting for agricultural expansion?
Deforesting for agricultural expansion is the clearing of forests to create land for farming crops or raising livestock.
What is the significance of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA)?
NEPA requires federal agencies to assess the environmental effects of their proposed actions before making decisions.
Explain the concept of sustainable forestry.
Sustainable forestry involves managing forest resources to meet current needs while preserving biodiversity and ecosystem health.
What is a land trust?
A land trust is a nonprofit organization that works to conserve land by acquiring and managing property for conservation purposes.
What is food security?
Food security is the condition in which all people have access to sufficient, safe, and nutritious food.
What are the ecological benefits of trees?
Trees provide oxygen, improve air quality, conserve water, preserve soil, and support wildlife.
Define renewable energy.
Renewable energy is energy generated from natural processes that are continuously replenished, such as solar, wind, and hydro energy.
What is land reclamation?
Land reclamation is the process of restoring or creating land from seas, riverbeds, or degraded land.
What is urban planning?
Urban planning is the process of designing and regulating land use in urban areas to ensure sustainable growth.
What are the impacts of urbanization on wildlife?
Urbanization can lead to habitat loss, fragmentation, and increased human-wildlife conflicts.
What is the difference between phytoremediation and bioremediation?
Phytoremediation uses plants to remove contaminants from soil, while bioremediation uses microorganisms to degrade pollutants.
Define the concept of carrying capacity.
Carrying capacity refers to the maximum number of individuals of a species that an environment can support sustainably.
What is stewardship in environmental science?
Stewardship in environmental science refers to responsible management and care for the environment and natural resources.
What is renewable resource management?
Renewable resource management involves regulating the use of renewable resources to maintain their sustainability.
What role do pollinators play in agriculture?
Pollinators like bees enhance the yields of about one-third of the crops grown globally through pollination.
What is the significance of soil conservation?
Soil conservation practices prevent soil erosion and maintain soil fertility, ensuring sustainable agriculture.
What is integrated land use management?
Integrated land use management integrates economic, environmental, and social factors into land use planning.
Define ecological footprint.
An ecological footprint measures the environmental impact of a person or population in terms of land and water used.
What is the purpose of habitat conservation plans?
Habitat conservation plans aim to protect species and their habitats while allowing sustainable land development.
What is rainwater harvesting?
Rainwater harvesting is the collection and storage of rainwater for reuse before it reaches the ground.
What is sedimentation, and why is it a concern for water quality?
Sedimentation is the process where particles settle out of water; it can degrade water quality and disrupt aquatic life.
What is urban agriculture?
Urban agriculture refers to the practice of cultivating, processing, and distributing food in urban areas.
What is the purpose of buffer zones?
Buffer zones protect sensitive areas from development and pollution while enhancing biodiversity.
What does the term 'food desert' refer to?
A food desert is a geographic area where residents have limited access to affordable and nutritious food.
What are the benefits of using cover crops?
Cover crops improve soil health, prevent erosion, and enhance biodiversity.
What is wetland restoration?
Wetland restoration involves returning degraded wetlands to their natural condition.
What does 'sustainable forestry' aim to achieve?
Sustainable forestry aims to maintain and enhance the long-term health of forest ecosystems while providing wood products.
What is the role of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)?
The EPA is responsible for enforcing laws to protect human health and the environment.
What are the advantages of permaculture?
Permaculture promotes sustainable land use by mimicking natural ecosystems and improving biodiversity.
What is the significance of marine protected areas?
Marine protected areas conserve marine biodiversity and enhance fisheries management by restricting human activities.
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