Unit 5

Green Revolution

Post-WWII shift to increase food production through mechanization, fertilizers, pesticides, GMOs, and enhanced irrigation techniques.

Eutrophication

Over-enrichment of water bodies with nutrients, often due to fertilizer runoff, leading to excessive algae growth and oxygen depletion.

CAFOs

Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations; cost-effective meat production systems that can lead to crowded conditions and waste pollution.

Integrated Pest Management (IPM)

Combination of biological, physical, and chemical methods to minimize environmental impacts of pest control.

Reforestation

The process of replanting trees to restore and rehabilitate ecosystems that have been degraded.

Clearcutting

Forestry practice that involves removing all trees in an area, which can lead to soil erosion and increased flooding.

Aquifer Depletion

The reduction of water storage in aquifers, often caused by over-extraction of groundwater.

Sustainable Agriculture Practices

Methods like contour plowing, crop rotation, and rotational grazing to preserve soil fertility and reduce environmental impact.

Overfishing

The depletion of fish stocks due to excessive fishing, leading to reduced biodiversity and disrupted aquatic food chains.

Drip Irrigation

An irrigation method that minimizes water loss to less than 5%, though it can be costly and difficult to implement.

Soil Conservation

Techniques used to prevent soil erosion and maintain soil health, including practices like no-till and contour plowing.

Prescribed Burns

Controlled fires used in forest management to reduce the risk of larger wildfires and restore ecosystems.

Salinization

Buildup of salt in soil, making it toxic to plants, often due to improper irrigation practices.

Urban Sprawl

Expansion of urban areas into rural land, often resulting in biodiversity loss and increased resource consumption.

Chemical Pesticides

Substances used to eliminate pests, which can lead to resistance and reduce biodiversity.

Furrow Irrigation

An irrigation method that is inexpensive but can waste one-third of water through evaporation and runoff.

Ecological Footprint

A measure of human demand on Earth's ecosystems, representing the amount of natural capital used by an individual or community.

Biocontrol

A pest management strategy that uses natural predators or parasites to control pest populations.

Slash-and-Burn

An agricultural practice involving the cutting and burning of forests to create fields, which can lead to ecosystem destruction.

Surface Mining

A method of mining that removes vegetation and can cause significant erosion and environmental damage.

Wastewater Contamination

Pollution of water bodies caused by runoff from aquaculture facilities, which can introduce pathogens and nutrients.