AICE ENV. UNIT 2 FLASHCARDS
sustainablity
The use and management of resources to meet the needs of the present global population without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs is a goal underlying all environmental management strategies.
troposphere
The troposphere is the lowest layer of Earth’s atmosphere. Most of the mass (about 75-80%) of the atmosphere is in the troposphere. Most types of clouds are found in the troposphere, and almost all weather occurs within this layer.
stratosphere
the layer of the earth’s atmosphere above the troposphere, extending to about 32 miles (50 km) above the earth’s surface (the lower boundary of the mesosphere). ALSO CONTAINS THE OZONE LAYER
mesosphere
the region of the earth’s atmosphere above the stratosphere and below the thermosphere, between about 30 and 50 miles (50 and 80 km) in altitude.
thermosphere
the region of the atmosphere above the mesosphere and below the height at which the atmosphere ceases to have the properties of a continuous medium. The thermosphere is characterized throughout by an increase in temperature with height.
photosynthesis
the process by which green plants and some other organisms use sunlight to synthesize foods from carbon dioxide and water. Photosynthesis in plants generally involves the green pigment chlorophyll and generates oxygen as a byproduct.
respiration
a process in living organisms involving the production of energy, typically with the intake of oxygen and the release of carbon dioxide from the oxidation of complex organic substances.
decomposition
Decomposition or rot is the process by which dead organic substances are broken down into simpler organic or inorganic matter such as carbon dioxide, water, simple sugars and mineral salts.
fossilisation
the process of an animal or plant becoming preserved in a hard, petrified form.
through-flow
is the lateral unsaturated flow of water in the soil zone, typically through a highly permeable geologic unit overlying a less permeable one. Water thus returns to the surface, as return flow, before or on entering a stream or groundwater.
infiltration
the process of water being absorbed into the ground. Water starts as precipitation, when it hits the ground, it must land in a porous area. This is a soil that has enough air space around the individual grains of soil for water to work its way between them and fill the open spaces.
transpiration
the biological process that occurs mostly in the day. Water inside of plants is transferred from the plant to the atmosphere as water vapor through numerous individual leave openings.
population dynamics
the study of how and why populations change in size and how they can managed be managed
migration
the movement of peoples from one place in the world to another
population distribution
the way in which the population is spread out across a given area
population density
the number of people living in a square kilometre (or other unit of area)
