Unit Five Land and Water Use Test Review

Flashcards for Unit Five Land and Water Use Test Review video for AP Environmental Science.

Tragedy of the Commons

A common resource available for all humans, often exploited unsustainably, leading to resource depletion.

Groundwater Overdraft

Excessive removal of groundwater, leading to depletion of aquifers.

Ogallala Aquifer

Largest aquifer in the U.S., located in the Midwest, facing depletion due to human use.

Confined Aquifers

Aquifers under pressure.

Unconfined Aquifers

Aquifers at air pressure.

Subsidence

Sinking of land level due to aquifer overdraft.

Saltwater Intrusion

The process where saltwater mixes with freshwater in aquifers near coastlines due to water withdrawal.

Furrow Irrigation

Irrigation method with rows of plants and water in between, leading to about 40% evaporation.

Flood Irrigation

Irrigation method where a field is flooded with water.

Spray Irrigation

Irrigation method that sprays water over plants.

Drip Irrigation

Irrigation method using lines with holes to slowly drip water, minimizing evaporation.

Salinization

Accumulation of salts and minerals in the soil due to evaporation of irrigation water.

Tillage

Tilling of soil, which can lead to erosion.

Cover Crops

Plants used to hold soil in place and prevent erosion.

Desertification

Process where soil loses nutrients and can no longer support plant life, caused by overuse or overgrazing.

Overgrazing

Excessive grazing leading to loss of nutrients and erosion.

Integrated Pest Management

Using methods like crop rotation, natural predators, GMOs, and mulch to reduce pesticide use.

Ore

Rocks containing a profitable amount of minerals.

Reserves

Source of minerals known to be available for mining.

Overburden

Soil removed during mining.

Spoils

Waste created by mining processes.

Tailings

Mining residue from water use during mining processes.

Strip Mining/Open-Pit Mine

Mining where land and habitats are disrupted.

Erosion

Movement of soil from one place to another due to wind or water.

Bycatch

Organisms unintentionally caught in fishing nets.

Fishery Collapse

Decline in a fish population in a certain region by more than 90%.

Aquaculture

Growing fish in tanks or contained netting areas.

Forests Stabilize Soil

Service that forests provide by helping stabilizng soil and preventing erosion.

Forests Slow Runoff

Forests helping to slow runoff and encourage water infiltration into the ground.

Forests as Carbon Sinks

Forests acting as reservoirs by uptaking carbon.

Fire Suppression

Forest Service practice leading to woody accumulation.

Controlled/Prescribed Burning

Firefighters, ecologists, and foresters burn certain chunks of forest to prevent out-of-control fires later on.

Clear-Cutting

Cutting down every tree in the community.

Selective Cutting

Some trees are left behind to help maintain the actual forest itself.

Rangeland

Are often public or federal lands that people can get permits to graze their own cattle on.

Impervious Surfaces

Areas like concrete, asphalt, and rooftops that do not allow water to seep through the surface.

Eutrophication

Nutrients like nitrogen and phosphorus get into waterways, causing algae to overgrow. As they decay, they eat up oxygen, causing hypoxia or a dead zone to form.

CAFOs

Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations: Very high-density growth of animals like cows, pigs, and chickens for food purposes.