Human Impact On The Environment

Question 1

Deforestation

Answer 1

The permanent destruction of indigenous forests and woodlands.
(Does not include commercial forests)

Question 2

Reforestation

Answer 2

Planting indigenous trees in degraded areas.

Question 3

Afforestation

Answer 3

Planting trees for commercial purposes

Question 4

Global warming

Answer 4

The increase in temperature of the Earth’s surface due to increase of greenhouse gases in atmosphere.

Question 5

Desertification

Answer 5

The spreading of desert lands as dryly so which are degraded either by variations in climate or by human activities.

Question 6

Dry lands

Answer 6

Arid, semi-arid and dry sub- humid areas

Question 7

Ozone

Answer 7

Colorless gas with a harsh odor

Question 8

Ozone layer

Answer 8

Renewable lay of ozone in stratosphere 12- 25km above Earth’s surface

Question 9

Phytoplankton

Answer 9

Microscopic, photosynthesizing, free-floating, aquatic plants.

Question 10

CFCs

Answer 10

Manufactured chemicals made up of chlorine, fluorine and carbon.

Question 11

Wetlands

Answer 11

Areas where terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems come together

Question 12

Ramsar Convention

Answer 12

International agreement for the conservation and wise use of wetlands and their resources

Question 13

Flood

Answer 13

An overflow of a large amount of water over dry land

Question 14

Drought

Answer 14

An extended period of months or years where water availability falls below requirements for a region

Question 15

Exotic plants

Answer 15

Species growing in an area where they do not naturally grow

Question 16

Plantation

Answer 16

Even-aged monoculture a grown over a large area

Question 17

Ground water

Answer 17

Water found in pores, cavities or cracks in the hard rocks and soil of aquifers

Question 18

Water table

Answer 18

Topmost level of groundwater

Question 19

Aquifers

Answer 19

A layer of earth or rock that holds water

Question 20

Recharge

Answer 20

Water added to an aquifer by means of rain, snow or from wetlands/ rivers.

Question 21

Abstraction/ discharge

Answer 21

Groundwater that leaves the aquifer system

Question 22

Water quality

Answer 22

The biological, chemical and physical properties of water, which determine whether the water is able to sustain life and/ or suitable for human consumption

Question 23

Eutrophication

Answer 23

Enhanced growth of algae due to too many nutrients, mainly phosphates and nitrates

Question 24

Tailings

Answer 24

Waste remaining after ore has been processed

Question 25

Pyrite

Answer 25

Mineral compose of iron and sulfur, occurs in large quantities in various types of mineral deposits

Question 26

Fracking

Answer 26

(Hydraulic fracturing)

Part of process to exploit shale gas reserves locked in underground rock formations

Question 27

Thermal pollution

Answer 27

The degradation of water quality by any process that changes the temperature of water

Question 28

Potable

Answer 28

Water that is safe to drink

Question 29

Water purification

Answer 29

The process of removing undesirable chemicals and pathogens from raw water in purification plants

Question 30

Raw water

Answer 30

Water that is drawn from a stream, lake or dam that has not been treated in anyway

Question 31

Water recycling

Answer 31

Treating waste water to remove solids and impurities so that it can be reused and discharged back into waterways

Question 32

Grey water

Answer 32

Waste water created by domestic activities that can be recycled on site for watering the garden (no faeces present)

Question 33

Carbon footprint

Answer 33

The total amount of greenhouse gases produced to directly and indirectly support human activities, usually expressed in equivalent tons of CO2.