Chapter 22: human impacts on the environment

pollution

the introduction of harmful substances into the environment.

Types of pollution

Air and water

biological magnification

increasing concentration of a harmful substance in organisms at higher trophic levels in a food chain or food web

greenhouse effect

Natural situation in which heat is retained in Earth's atmosphere by carbon dioxide, methane, water vapor, and other gases

Global warming

a rise in the average global temperatures associated with increased CO2 concentration in the atmosphere.

Biodiversity

the variety of life in the world or in a particular habitat or ecosystem.

habitat restoration

cleanup and rehabilitation of damaged habitats; invasive species removal

captive propagation

breeding in zoos; reintroduction into the wild

Sustaining genetic diversity

captive breeding programs, helping maintain large wild populations

Conservation of ecosystems and keystone species

habitat protection, wildlife reserves