Upgrade to remove ads
Only $2.99/month

human impact vocab

Terms in this set (21)

Acid Rain
Precipitation with a pH lower than 5.5 caused by burning fossil fuels.
Biodegradable
A substance capable of being decomposed by bacteria or other living organisms.
Biological Control
The use of natural means such as a predator to control pest organisms.
Biomagnification
The increase in concentration in a chemical such as a pesticide as it is passed up a food chain.
Deforestation
Removal of trees from an ecosystem to make room for homes, industry, and farms. Leads to global warming and habitat loss.
Direct Harvesting
The destruction of an organism or removal of an organism from its habitat.
Fossil Fuel
A nonrenewable source of energy that comes from the remains of organisms that lived millions of years ago. e.g. coal, oil, natural gas
Global Warming
An increase in Earth's temperature caused by excess CO2 gas in the atmosphere.
Imported/Introduced/Invasive Species
Organisms released to a new environment where they often become pests.
Industrialization
The process of converting an economy into one in which large-scale manufacturing is the primary economic base.
Nonrenewable Source
Any resource such as fossil fuels that cannot be replaced.
Nuclear Fuel
Non-renewable energy source that results from splitting atoms. Does not cause air pollution, but can cause thermal pollution and creates waste that is difficult to dispose of.
Ozone Depletion
The thinning of the layer of gases surrounding the Earth that protects Earth's organisms from UV rays.
Pesticide
A chemical used to kill organisms that are unwanted in an area such as weeds or insects.
pH
A measure (1-14) of whether a substance is acidic, basic or neutral
Pollution
A harmful change to the chemical makeup of soil, water or air due to the addition of wastes or products of human activity.
Renewable Resource
Any resource such as food supply, wind energy and solar energy that can be naturally replaced.
Smog
A kind of air pollution that results when certain pollutants react with sunlight that looks like gray or brown haze and may contain airborne pollutants.
Technology
All of the practical knowledge that has been used to meet human needs.
Thermal Pollution
A type of pollution caused by any process that changes the water temperature of a river, lake or ocean.
Trade-off
An exchange or agreement made to reach a compromise, involves giving up one desired thing for another.
YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE...