human impact on environment Flashcards
What is an agrarian society?
A society where cultivating the land is the primary source of wealth, focusing on agriculture and farming.
Explain:
Push factors related to climate change
Increased frequency and intensity of hurricanes, floods, and wildfires can devastate communities, prompting residents to flee for safety and stability.
Prolonged droughts can lead to crop failures and diminished water supplies, making it difficult for people to sustain their livelihoods and forcing them to seek more hospitable areas.
Coastal communities face the threat of flooding and loss of land due to rising sea levels, leading to displacement as residents move inland to escape inundation.
What are some examples of rare and expensive natural resources that attract people to settle in an area?
Gold
Silver
Oil
How does access to natural resources affect humanity?
Because natural resources are not evenly distributed
around the world, whoever controls a region with natural resources (like oil) are able to impact neighboring countries.
How does geography influence the growth of human civilization?
Rivers, coasts, and fertile plains attract dense populations.
Arid or mountainous regions often remain sparsely populated.
How did the Ice Age influence early human migration patterns?
Created land bridges due to lower sea levels.
Early humans used these to migrate to different continents, such as from Asia to North America via the Bering Land Bridge.
In what ways did the environment shape the cultures of the indigenous peoples of the Arctic?
Harsh environment led to the development of specialized skills and tools for hunting and fishing
Clothing and shelter adapted to extreme cold, influencing their cultural practices and social organization.
How did the deforestation of the Mediterranean region affect ancient civilizations?
Deforestation led to soil erosion, reduced agricultural productivity, and changes in climate, which contributed to the decline of ancient civilizations such as the Roman Empire.
What role did the environment play in the rise and fall of the Mayan civilization?
The Mayan civilization thrived in the rainforests of Central America, but environmental challenges such as drought, deforestation, and soil depletion contributed to its decline.
How did the Dust Bowl of the 1930s impact human settlement and agriculture in the United States?
Caused massive soil erosion and agricultural failure, leading to economic hardship, migration of farmers out of affected areas, and changes in land management practices.
What environmental factors contributed to the rise of Mesopotamian civilization?
The Tigris and Euphrates rivers provided water for irrigation, fertile soil for agriculture, and a means of transportation, which supported the growth of Mesopotamian cities and trade.
How did the Black Death change European society in the 14th century?
The Black Death caused a massive population decline
This led to labor shortages, economic disruption, social upheaval, and changes in land use and labor practices.
What is the significance of the Amazon rainforest to global human civilization?
Plays a critical role in regulating the global climate, maintaining biodiversity, and providing resources such as medicinal plants.
