Fragile environment topic vocab

Description

Main definitions in the Fragile environments section of the IGCSE Geography syllabus
Hannah N
Flashcards by Hannah N, updated more than 1 year ago
Hannah N
Created by Hannah N over 3 years ago
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Question Answer
Agro-forestry the growing of trees for the benefit of agriculture: as wind breaks or as protection against soil erosion
Alternative energy renewable sources of energy, such as solar and wind power, that offer an alternative to the use of fossil fuels
Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) chemicals once used din foams, refrigerators, aerosols and air-conditioning units. Their use is now banned
Climate change long-term changes in the global atmospheric conditions
Deforestation the deliberate clearing of forested land, often causing serious environmental problems such as soil erosion
Famine a chronic shortage of food resulting in many people dying from starvation
Fossil fuel carbon fuels such as coal, oil and natural gas that cannot be "remade" because it will take tens of millions of years for them to form again (ie they are FINITE)
Fragile a term used to describe those natural environments that are sensitive to, and easily abused by human activities
Global warming a process whereby global temperatures rise over time
Malnutrition a condition resulting when a person is unable to eat what is needed to maintain good health
Overgrazing when pasture or grazing is unable to support the number of animals relying on it for food. The result is the vegetation cover declines and soil erosion sets in.
Population pressure when the number of people in an area begins to approach carrying capacity and places a strain on available resources
Refugee a person whose reasons for migrating re due to fear of persecution or death
Soil erosion the washing or blowing away of topsoil so that the fertility of the remaining soil is greatly reduced
Sustainable a term used to describe actions that minimize negative impacts on the environment and promote human well-being
Well-being a condition experienced by people and greatly influenced by the standard of living and quality of life
Ecological footprint A measure of the mark made by humans on the natural world
Sustainability actions and forms of progress that meet the needs of the present without reducing the ability of future generations to meet their needs and without endangering or damaging the environment
Desertification the spread of desert conditions into what were previously semi-arid areas
Arid having little or no rain; too dry or barren to support vegetation
Semi-arid dry regions but not as dry as deserts; they receive up to twice the amount of rain than desert regions do -- up to 20 inches per yr (aka. steppe climates)
Global warming a slow but significant rise in teh Earth's temperature. It may be caused by the build up of excessive amounts of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere which increases the Greenhouse effect
Climate change Long term changes in the global atmospheric conditions
Enhanced greenhouse effect The warming of the Earth's atmosphere because pollution (which adds to the amount of naturally occurring greenhouse gases) prevents heat from escaping into space
Greenhouse gas These are gases that stop heat escaping from the Earth into space. This allows the earth to maintain a life sustaining global avg temp of 15 degrees C. /W it the earth would be up to 30 cooler
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