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biodiversity
Is a broad term that is used to describe the diversity of genes, species, and ecosystems in a region. TERM 2
Extinction
DEFINITION 2 is the death of a species-the elimination of all the individuals of a particular kind. TERM 3
genetic diversity
DEFINITION 3 is a term used to describe the number of different kinds of genes present in a population or a species. TERM 4
species diversity
DEFINITION 4 is a measure of the number of different species present in an area TERM 5
ecosystem diversity
DEFINITION 5 is a measure of the number of kinds of ecosystems present in an area.
deforestation
clearance or clearing is the removal of a forest or stand of trees where the land is thereafter converted to a non-forest use. TERM 7
clear-cutting
DEFINITION 7 all of the trees in a large area are removed. TERM 8
Patchwork clear-cutting
DEFINITION 8 with this method, smaller areas are clear-cut among patches of untouched forest TERM 9
reforestation
DEFINITION 9 is the natural or intentional restocking of existingforestsandwoodlandsthat have been depleted, usually throughdeforestation TERM 10
selective harvesting
DEFINITION 10 is the selection of some species of trees to grow
cover
refers to any set of physical features that conceals or protects animals from thhe elements or enemies TERM 17
habitat management
DEFINITION 17 the habitat modifications made to enhance the success of a species TERM 18
crust
DEFINITION 18 is an extremely thin, less dense, solid covering over the underlying mantel. TERM 19
mantle
DEFINITION 19 is a layer that makes up the majority of the earth and surrounds a small core made up primarily of iron TERM 20
lithosphere
DEFINITION 20 collective the crust and solid outer mantle.
asthenosphere
just below the outer mantle is a thin layer knows as the asthenosphere, which is capable of plastic flow TERM 22
plate tectonics
DEFINITION 22 is the concept that the outer surface of the earth consists of large plates composed of the crust and the outer portion pf the ,ant;e and that these plates are slowly moving over the surface of the liquid outer mantle. TERM 23
weathering
DEFINITION 23 several kinds of weathering processes are important in reducing the size of particles that can then be dislodged by moving water and air TERM 24
mechanical weathering
DEFINITION 24 results from physical forces that reduce the size of the rock without changing the chemical nature of the rock TERM 25
chemical weathering
DEFINITION 25 involves the chemical alteration of the rock in such a manner that is more likely to fragment or to be disolved
soil texture
is determined by the size of the mineral particles within the soil. TERM 32
loam
DEFINITION 32 an ideal soil for agricultural use, which combines the good aeration and drainage properties of large particles with the nutrient-retention and water-holding ability of clay particles, (contains 40% sand, 40% soil, 20% clay) TERM 33
soil structure
DEFINITION 33 refers to the way various soil particles clump together TERM 34
friable
DEFINITION 34 a good soilFriability, the condition of being friable, describes the ability of a solid substance to be reduced to smaller pieces with little effort, especially by rubbing. TERM 35
soil profile
DEFINITION 35 is a series of parallel layers in the soil that differ in chemical composition, physical properties, particular size, and amount of organic matter
horizon
each recognizable layer of soil. TERM 37
litter
DEFINITION 37 if there is a layer of undecomposed or partially decomposed organic matter on the surface it is known as O horizon. (typically in forest soil) TERM 38
leaching
DEFINITION 38 as water moves down through horizon A, it carries dissolved organic matter and minerals to lower layers. TERM 39
contour farming
DEFINITION 39 which is tilling at right angles to the slope of the land, is one of the simplest methods for preventing soil erosion. (reduces erosion by 50%) TERM 40
strip farming
DEFINITION 40 is alternating strips of closely sown crops such as hay, wheat or other small grains with strips of row crops such as corn, soybeans, cotton, or sugar beets.
urban sprawl
is a pattern of unplanned, low-density housing and commercial development outside of cities that usually takes place on previously undeveloped land. TERM 47
tract development
DEFINITION 47 is the construction of similar residential units over large areas TERM 48
ribbon sprawl
DEFINITION 48 usually consists of commercial and industrial buildings that line each side of the hi way that connects housing areas to the central city and shopping and service areas TERM 49
megalopolis
DEFINITION 49 this growth lead to the development of regional cities. although these cities maintain their individual names, they are really just part of one large urban area. TERM 50
infrastructure
DEFINITION 50 includes all physical, social, and economic elements needed to support the population
flood plains
are the low areas near rivers and, thus, are subject to periodic flooding TERM 52
flood plain zoning ordinances
DEFINITION 52 restrict future building in flood plains TERM 53
wetlands
DEFINITION 53 are areas that periodically are covered with water, they include swamps, tidal marshes, coastal areas, and estuaries. TERM 54
land-use planning
DEFINITION 54 is a process of evaluating the needs and wants of the population, the characteristics and values the land, and avoids alternative solutions to the use of a particular land surface before changes are made. TERM 55
urban growth limit
DEFINITION 55 establishes a boundary within which development can occur. development outside the boundary is severely restricted.
monoculture
land must be planted in the same crop for efficient planting, cultivating, and harvesting TERM 62
green revolution
DEFINITION 62 throughout the 1950s,1960s,1970s, the introduction of new plant varieties and farming methods resulted in increased agricultural production world wide .negative impacts;1) more pesticides and fertilizer needed2) higher amount of water required TERM 63
macronutrients
DEFINITION 63 nutrients that are need in large amounts (ex. nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium compounds) TERM 64
Micronutrients
DEFINITION 64 are nutrients that are needed in smaller amounts (ex. boron, zinc and manganese) TERM 65
pesticide
DEFINITION 65 is any chemical used to kill or control populations of unwanted fungi, animals, or plants.
pests
is not a scientific term, but refers to any organism that is unwanted TERM 67
weeds
DEFINITION 67 A weed is an unwanted plant of any species that can quickly adapt to any environment. TERM 68
insecticides
DEFINITION 68 are used to control insect populations by killing them TERM 69
fungicides
DEFINITION 69 unwanted fungal pests that can weaken plants or destroy fruits TERM 70
rodenticides
DEFINITION 70 chemical to kill rats and mice
non persistent pesticides
pesticides that break down quickly. TERM 77
Chlorinated hydrocarbons
DEFINITION 77 are a group of pesticides of complex stable structure that contain carbon, hydrogen and chlorine. TERM 78
organophosphates and carbamates
DEFINITION 78 work by interfering with the ability of the nervous system to conduct impulses normally TERM 79
auxin
DEFINITION 79 a synthetic plant-growth regulator that mimic natural-growth regulators. TERM 80
bioaccumulation
DEFINITION 80 this process of accumulating higher and higher amounts of material within the body of an animal
biomagnification
this phenomenon of acquiring increasing levels of a substance in the bodies of higher-trophic-level organisms is biomagniication TERM 82
alternative agriculture
DEFINITION 82 it includes all non traditional agricultural methods and encompasses sustainable agriculture, organic agriculture, alternative methods for raising crops, and producing, cops for industrial use. TERM 83
sustainable agriculture
DEFINITION 83 movement maintains that current practices are degrading natural resources and seeks methods to produce adequate, safe food in an economically viable manner while enhancing the health of agricultural land and related ecosystems TERM 84
organically grown
DEFINITION 84 is a legally defined term in the u.s. that tells you how a food or fiber crop was grown.each of the 30 states have a different definition of organic TERM 85
precision agriculture
DEFINITION 85 Precision agriculture or satellite farming or site specific crop management (SSCM) is a farming management concept based on observing, measuring and responding to inter and intra-field variability in crops.
latitude
the distance north or south from the equator, measured in degree. TERM 92
climate
DEFINITION 92 the weather conditions, including temperature, precipitation, and wind, that prevail in a given region TERM 93
Pampas
DEFINITION 93 The Pampas are fertile South American lowlands, covering more than 750,000 km2 (289,577 sq mi), that include the Argentine provinces of Buenos Aires, La Pampa, Santa Fe, Entre Ros and Crdoba; most of Uruguay; and the southernmost Brazilian State, Rio Grande do Sul. TERM 94
veldts
DEFINITION 94 an elevated open grassland region of Africa TERM 95
over grazing
DEFINITION 95 continued prolonged grazing on a single area until the ground cover is destroyed
rotational grazing
allowing livestock to graze in small area for a short time and then moving them on to another area TERM 97
indigenous people
DEFINITION 97 a group of people originating and living in their natural area, usually over many generations TERM 98
sustainability
DEFINITION 98 any practices or methods that allow long-term productivity or existence with minimal impact on the environment TERM 99
wilderness
DEFINITION 99 an unsettled, undisturbed, natural area that is free of human encroachment and modification. TERM 100
flora
DEFINITION 100 the variety of plant life that lives in a specific area
