Quarter 3 Vocab Flashcards
Age Structure Diagram
A visual representation that shows the age & gender distribution within a population
Birth rate
% of live births out of the population. Calculated by multiplying 100
Carrying capacity
The max population size that environment can support given its available resources & conditions
Crude birth rate
The number of live births per 1,000 people in a population per year
Crude death rate
The number of deaths per 1,000 people in a population per year
Demographic transition model
A theory that describes the historical shift of populations from high birth & death rates to low birth & death rates as they undergo economic & social development
Demography
The scientific study of human populations, including their size, composition, distribution and dynamics
Density-dependent factors
Environmental factors that influence population dynamics & become more significant as population density increases, such as competition for resources and disease
Density-independent factors
Environmental factors that affect population dynamics regardless of population density, such as natural disasters or climate events
Doubling time
The time it takes for a population to double in size, often calculated using the rule of 70 or the rule of 72
Emigration
Individuals leaving one area / country to settle in another
Exponential growth
Pattern of growth where a population increases at a constant rate over time, resulting in a J-shaped curve on a graph
Family planning
The effort to regulate the number and spacing of births through the use of contraception or other methods
Growth rate
The percentage change in the size of a population over a specific period, taking into account births, deaths, immigration & emigration
Immigration
Individuals entering a new area / country to settle
Infant mortality rate
The number of deaths of infants under one year of age per 1,000 live births in a given year
IPAT model
A formula (Impact = Population x Affluence x Technology) used to express the environmental impact of human activity, taking into account population size, affluence & technology
Replacement level fertility
The fertility rate at which a population replaces itself from one generation to the next, typically considered to be around 2.1 children per woman
Survivorship curve
A graphical representation showing the proportion of individuals in a population that survive to different ages
Type I
A survivorship curve where the majority of individuals survive to old age, characteristic of species that provide extensive parental care
Type II
A survivorship curve where the probability of survival is relatively constant throughout the lifespan, characteristic of species with a fairly constant mortality rate
Type III
A survivorship curve where a high proportion of individuals die early in life, characteristic of species that produce numerous offspring with minimal parental care
Total Fertility Rate (TFR)
Average number of children a woman is expected to have during her reproductive years given the prevailing birth rates
Brownfield
A previously industrialized area that may be abandoned, often requiring environmental fixing before redevelopment
Green Belt
An area of open land around a city, often with restrictions on development to preserve natural habitats
Microclimate
The specific climate conditions in a small, localized area that may differ from the surrounding region due to factors like elevation, vegetation or proximity to bodies of water
Urban Forestry
The management of trees & green spaces in urban areas to enhance environmental quality
Urban sprawl
The unplanned rapid expansion of urban areas into undeveloped land
Multiple Use Land
Land that’s designated for various purposes like recreation, forestry & agriculture to balance different resource needs
Forestry
The practice of cultivating, managing and harvesting trees for various purposes
Clear-cutting
A forestry practice involving the complete removal of all trees in a specific area
Even-aged Stands
A forest stand composed of trees of similar age, resulting from practiced like clear-cutting or tree plantation
Old Growth Forests
A mature forest characterized by its untouched, undisturbed state, often with a diverse ecosystem
Second Growth Forests
Forests that have regrown after being disturbed or harvested, typically composed of younger trees
Uneven-Aged Stands
A forest stand with trees of different ages, reflecting a more natural and diverse composition
Agriculture
The practice of cultivating soil, producing crops and raising livestock for food, fiber and other products
Biological Control
The use of natural predators, parasites or pathogens to control pests and manage crop or livestock health
Broad Spectrum Pesticide
A pesticide that targets a wide range of pests, including both harmful & beneficial organisms
Cash Crop
A crop grown for sale and profit rather than for personal consumption
Composting
The process of decomposing organic materials to create nutrient rich compost for soil improvement
Contour Farming (Plowing)
A farming technique that follows the natural contours of the land to reduce soil erosion
Controlled Burning
To deliberate, supervised use of fire in agriculture or forestry to manage ecosystems, reduce wildfire risks or promote plant growth
Desertification
Process by which fertile land becomes increasingly arid & unproductive, often due to human activities, climate change or improper land management
Fallow
Leaving land uncultivated for a period to allow soil fertility to recover
Genetic Engineering
The manipulation of an organism’s generic material to achieve desired traits, often in agriculture to enhance crop characteristics
Green Revolution
The widespread adoption of new agricultural technologies, including improved crop varieties and irrigation, to increase food production and alleviate hunger
Ground Subsidence
The sinking of the Earth’s surface due to the extraction of groundwater / other underground resources
Herbicide
A substance used to kill unwanted plants
Hydroponics
A method of growing plants without soil
Industrialized Agriculture
Large scale farming operations that used advanced technology to maximize production
Inorganic Fertilizer
Fertilizer derived from minerals / synthetic chemicals, providing essential nutrients to plants
Insecticide
A substance used to kill insects
Integrated Pest Management (IPM)
An approach to pest control that combines various methods, emphasizing prevention, biological control and minimal chemical use
Maximum Sustainable Yield (MSY)
The highest level of resource extraction that can be maintained without depleting the resource’s ability to regenerate
Monoculture
The cultivation of a single crop over a large area, often associated with increased vulnerability to pests & disease
Narrow Spectrum Pesticide
A pesticide designed to target a specific group of pests
No-Till Agriculture
A farming technique that avoids plowing & minimizes soil disturbance to reduce erosion & improve soil health
Organic Farming
Farming practiced that avoid synthetic pesticides and fertilizers, emphasizing natural methods and environmental sustainability
Organic Fertilizer
Fertilizer derived from natural sources, such as compost or manure
Pesticide
Substance used go kill pests
Pesticide Treadmill
Cycle of increasing pesticide use as pests develop resistance, leading to the need for stronger & more frequent applications
Ruminant
An animal that has a special stomach for digesting fibrous plant material
Seed Bank
A collection of seeds stored for preservation, research or future use
Shelterbelts
Rows of trees or shrubs planted to protect crops or soil from wind and erosion
Slash-and-Burn Agriculture
A traditional farming method involving the cutting & burning of vegetation to clear land for cultivation
Sustainable Agriculture
Farming practiced that aim to meet current needs while preserving resources for future generations
Synergistic Effect
The combined effect of two or more factors that is greater than the sum of their individual effects
Subsistence Agriculture
Farming primarily for personal or local community consumption rather than commercial purposes
