APES unit 5

An ecosystem where all water runoff drains into a single body of water

land next to the stream, starting at the top of the bank, with heavy plant cover on either side

The upper level of the saturated zone of groundwater

Areas of relatively high elevation that separate different watersheds

area, length, slope, soil, and vegetation types

barren fields, compact soil, less infiltration. Fewer streams Application of fertilizers and manure changes structure

natural way flow pattern greatly altered; high runoff, vulnerable to flooding, fixed land use, precipitation changes all that matter

steep gradient, less porous soil, less infiltration, high runoff, downstream areas vulnerable to flooding

Evapotranspiration dominant High infiltration, little runoff

Sandy, porous soil Little rainfall, no stream development Limited groundwater recharge

high rainfall, no channel control, local flooding, high water table, saltwater intrusion

Water is not a limiting factor High rainfall, high runoff Dominant evaporation

the tendency for a resource that has no price to be used until the depletion or destruction of that resource

pollutants judged to pose especially great threats to human health

Pollutants discharged from a single identifiable location

pollutants that enter the environment or ecosystem from many different places simultaneously

Set emission standards for cars, and limits for release of air pollutants

Law that makes it unlawful for anyone to discharge any point source pollution without permits

Legislation that sets the national standards for safe drinking water.

over-exploitation of a public resource, collective action problem, resource is valuable and finite

-Private ownership -Voluntary organization to enforce responsible use -Governmental regulations

the impact of a person or community on the environment, expressed as the amount of land required to sustain their use of natural resources.

the total carbon dioxide emissions produced by an individual, group, or location

The use of Earth's renewable and nonrenewable natural resources in ways that guarantee continued use for future generations

the maximum rate at which a renewable resource can be exploited without impairing its ability to be renewed or replenished

environment, economy, society

biological diversity, food production, average global temperature and co2 concentration, human population, resource depletion.

Less ___________, less healthy planet

___________ an indicator of the Earth's ability to support _. Changes or degredation to the health, water, soil, and climate of the Earth will pose a threat to _.

Life can only sustain itself in a very narrow _______.

Falling death rates indicate an increase in life expectancy, putting a growing burden on Earth's resources

the act of using resources faster than they can be restored or replaced

Rapid diffusion of new agricultural technology, especially new high-yield seeds and fertilizers.

An agricultural method that utilizes large plantings of a single species or variety

nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium

genetically modified organism

mechanization, irrigation, commercial fertilizers, GM crops, and pesticides

Increased CO2 output, soil compaction, more erosion, mono-cropping

algal blooms, increased CO2 output, health risks, no additional humus is added to soil

the state of being without reliable access to a sufficient quantity of affordable, nutritious food

Systemic oppression related to race and class creating barriers to resources such as food and land. Leads to nutrition-related chronic diseases

A government payment that supports a business or market

the practice of turning over topsoil to bring more nutrient rich and moist soil closer to the surface for crop production

a farming technique in which trees are cut down and burned to clear and fertilize the land

deforestation, loss of biodiversity, increased CO2, erosion

A large indoor or outdoor animal feeding operation designed for maximum output

increase in ______ is an increase in disease-causing pathogens

Chemical compounds that persist in the environment and retain biological activity for a long time.

reactions or processes that require electromagnetic radiation to move forward

tending to combine with or dissolve in lipids or fats.

Substances that are able to be absorbed into fat and are stored within it.

A pesticide which are highly effective. However, it implicated in illnesses and environmental problem; now banned in US since 1972

accumulation of pollutants at successive levels of the food chain

The accumulation of a substance, such as a toxic chemical, in various tissues of a living organism.

Chemical compounds used as additives to paint and plastics, banned from use in the U.S. in 1979

Found at ignition sits of rockets, missiles, fireworks.

Alters neuro and physical development, fatigue, depression, and cardiovascular disease and problems.

cancer in humans, reproductive disruption

cancer, vomiting, reproductive reduction, seizures, liver damage

photolytic means

-Waste incineration -Pesticides -High-temperature industrial processes -By-product in herbicide production (Agent Orange/Vietnam) -The pulp and paper industry (paper bleaching) -Traffic exhaust -Cigarette smoke

DDT, methylmercury, PCBs

Emitted from volacanoes, highly toxic heavy metal that biomagnifies in aquatic ecosystems and contaminates humans largely through eating of [shell]fish; damages the central nervous system (esp. children/embryos) and leads to impaired coordination and sense of touch/taste/sight.

low oxygen

the muddy bottom of a lake, pond, or ocean

A process by which nutrients, particularly phosphorus and nitrogen, become highly concentrated in a body of water, leading to increased growth of organisms such as algae or cyanobacteria.

The rapid growth of a population of algae

wastewater from baths, showers, bathrooms, and washing machines

Any water containing human waste

Describes a lake with a low level of productivity

Describes a lake with a moderate level of productivity

Describes a lake with a high level of productivity

the controlled supply of water to land in order to grow crops

taking steps to keep something from happening

minimizing damage

A form of soil degradation that occurs when soil remains under water for prolonged periods.

punching holes in soil to help more oxygen enter pores and promote root growth

in arid regions, water evaporates leaving salts behind. (ex. Fertile crescent, southwestern US)

water that contains a high mineral content

a change of semi-dry land into desert

a trench that is flooded with water

the practice of using small pipes that slowly drip water just above ground to conserve water to use for crops

water is poured through canals and waterways so that it flows through fields

an apparatus that sprays water across a field

causes water table to rise, causing plants to suffocate

repeated irrigation or sustained periods of rain

aerate the soil

Agri-businesses often use groundwater (hardwater) for irrigation, when the water evaporates, the salts are left behind and build up, which is toxic for plants.

flood fields or aerate soils

Farming, overgrazing, and drought

A cycle of pesticide development, followed by pest resistance, followed by new pesticide development

change in genetics due to anthropogenic forces

can kill non-target species, may contain POPs, toxic with negative health effects, potential infiltration and contaminate aquifers, pesticide treadmill

An agricultural practice that uses a variety of techniques designed to minimize pesticide inputs

The use of a species to control the population growth or spread of an undesirable species

An agricultural method in which two or more crop species are planted in the same field at the same time

Rotation to other plants reduces the food source and can drastically reduce pest numbers. Rotation may offer benefits such as increased soil fertility and reduced soil erosion.

certain plants emit chemicals that repel pests and pull plants attract predators or pests.

complex, slow, expensive

Limitations on pesticide applications. economic savings on pesticides, proved yields.