Human Impact on the Environment

Front

Natural Resource Noun

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[nach-er-uhl ree-sors]

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Natural Resource

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A material or substance from Earth, such as minerals, forests, or water, that living things use to meet their needs.

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Example: The image shows Earth as a water source, highlighting how we use natural resources like water from the planet.

Front

Conservation Noun

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[kon-ser-vey-shuhn]

Back

Conservation

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The careful use and protection of Earth's materials and natural resources to prevent them from being lost or wasted.

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Example: The image shows Earth as a water source, highlighting the importance of conserving natural resources.

Front

Deforestation Noun

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[dee-for-uh-stey-shuhn]

Back

Deforestation

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The action of clearing a wide area of trees, resulting in the permanent removal of forests for other land uses.

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Example: The image shows a forest with many tree stumps, illustrating deforestation.

Front

Biodiversity Noun

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[bahy-oh-di-vur-si-tee]

Back

Biodiversity

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The variety of different types of life found in a particular habitat or on Earth as a whole.

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Example: The image shows different animals and plants living together, demonstrating biodiversity in a habitat.

Front

Ecosystem Noun

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[ee-koh-sis-tuhm]

Back

Ecosystem

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A biological community where living organisms interact with each other and their nonliving physical environment as a single system.

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Example: An aquatic ecosystem showing fish and plants interacting with their environment.

Front

Desertification Noun

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[dih-zur-tuh-fi-key-shuhn]

Back

Desertification

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The process by which fertile land becomes desert, typically as a result of drought, deforestation, or inappropriate agriculture.

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Example: The image shows fertile land turning into desert, illustrating desertification.

Front

Soil Erosion Noun

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[soil ih-roh-zhuhn]

Back

Soil Erosion

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The wearing away and displacement of the top layer of soil by natural forces like wind and water.

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Example: Water from a river wears away soil from the riverbank, showing soil erosion.

Front

Urbanization Noun

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[ur-buh-nuh-zey-shuhn]

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Urbanization

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The process of population shift from rural areas to cities, leading to the growth and expansion of urban areas.

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Example: The image shows a busy city street, illustrating urbanization by highlighting the crowded and developed urban area.

Front

Stream Discharge Noun

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[streem dis-chahrj]

Back

Stream Discharge

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The volume of water that moves past a specific point in a river or stream over a period of time.

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Example: The image shows how stream discharge is calculated using the area of the stream and water velocity.

Front

Wetlands Noun

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[wet-landz]

Back

Wetlands

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Land areas that are saturated with water, either permanently or seasonally, such as swamps, marshes, and bogs.

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Example: A wetland with trees, birds, and fish shows how these areas support diverse life.