Human Impact on the Environment

Front

Natural Resource Noun

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[nach-er-uhl ree-sors]

Back

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 source of water being tapped, illustrating natural resources used by humans.

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 need to conserve 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 tree stumps and logs, illustrating deforestation by depicting the clearing of trees.

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, illustrating biodiversity as the variety of life in different habitats.

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: This image shows a pond ecosystem where fish, plants, and water interact, demonstrating how living and nonliving elements form a single system.

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: The image shows how water erodes soil along a riverbank, demonstrating soil erosion.

Front

Urbanization Noun

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[ur-buh-nuh-zey-shuhn]

Back

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: A crowded city street showing the population shift to urban areas.

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 depth, width, and 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: This image shows a wetland with water, plants, and fish, illustrating how wetlands are saturated land areas.