M2. U2. RF. Flashcards
Human impact
the effect created when the radiant energy of the sun becomes trapped inside the atmosphere and the heat is kept inside
greenhouse effect
gas molecules in the earth’s atmosphere that absorb heat energy in the form of infrared rays
greenhouse gases
the increase in the earth’s temperature as a result of an Enhanced greenhouse effect
global warming
the primary greenhouse gas released by human activities
carbon dioxide
the breakdown of organic matter by anaerobic bacteria
decomposition
the main gas released by the natural decomposition of organic material and besides carbon dioxide the largest contributor to the Enhanced greenhouse effect
methane
the sum of all CO2 emissions resulting from human activities within a given period of time
carbon footprint
the process through which semi-arid or arid land is transformed into a desert
desertification
poor farming practice when too many livestock are allowed to Graze on a piece of land without giving it enough time to recover
overgrazing
the permanent destruction of natural indigenous trees and bushes by chopping or burning to clear an area for other purposes
deforestation
a highly reactive gas with each molecule consisting of three oxygen atoms
ozone
the most commonly-used ozone reducing substance
chlorofluorocarbons
land that is saturated with surface or groundwater
wetlands
plants that are intentionally or accidentally brought into an area outside their natural habitat will country and then become established
alien or exotic plants
a permeable underground water bearing layer of Rock from which water can be drawn by means of a borehole
aquifer
the characteristic of substances that indicates that they can be naturally broken down by microorganisms
biodegradable
urine faeces and other household waste that is mixed with water
sewage
type of pollution that occurs when some Industries use water as a coolant and release large quantities of hot water into rivers and oceans
thermal pollution
a drastic increase in the growth of freshwater algae due to a high concentration of minerals in the water
algal Bloom
a process that occurs when oxygen demand exceeds oxygen supply in the water resulting in the death of many Aquatic organisms
eutrophication
the liquid forms when reactive minerals in the Rocks like metal sulfides come into contact with mining wastewater
acid mine water
alien plants that crowding-out compute indigenous plants
invasive plants
a phenomenon where all people have access to sufficient safe nutritious food to live an active and healthy life
food security
a Farming practice where a single crop is planted on the same piece of land for a number of consecutive years
monoculture
organic or inorganic material that is added to the soil to supplement nutrients
fertilizer
a process whereby organisms with the genes for desired characteristics are inbred
selective breeding
the deliberate changing of an organisms characteristics by manipulating it’s genetic material
genetic modification
the destruction of the natural home of a certain plant or animal species
habitat destruction
the phenomenon that occurs when parts of a large undisturbed habitat r destroyed and the habitat is divided into smaller pieces
habitat fragmentation
the building of houses and Industries and the construction of roads to accommodate the growing population
urbanisation
illegal hunting and trapping of animals
poaching
the strategy to control alien invasive plants by cutting or chopping or burning them down
mechanical control
strategy to control invasive plants by using chemical herbicides
chemical control
strategy to control invasive plants using natural enemies from their natural habitat to destroy them
biological control
the knowledge that cultures have gained over many generations through their interaction with the environment
indigenous knowledge
the use of natural resources to provide for human needs yet and sharing there is sufficient provision for future generations
sustainable use
a perennial shrubs endemic to the Cederberg used for making a herbal tea with a distinctive taste and red colour
Rooibos
a type of vegetation found exclusively in the Western Cape including reads Proteas and ericas
fynbos
the planet discovered by the San people of the Kalahari to suppress the hunger and thirst during hunting expeditions
hoodia gordonii
a dump site where solid waste is dumped into a giant hole in the ground and later covered with soil
Landfill
a site where Munich municipalities do not practice effective waste management and waste is dumped on top of the ground and not covered
open landfill or garbage dump
a method of rehabilitating a land filled by using green plants to absorb toxins from the ground, water, sediment, and air
phytoremediation
the gas released in landfills that is used to generate electricity
methane gas
the type of waste produced by nuclear power stations like Koeberg near Cape Town
nuclear waste
the type of waste that releases energy in the form of radiation
radioactive waste
