Topic 8 - Forests under threat Flashcards
Define carrying capacity
the maximum population of a species an ecosystem can support
What does the term CITES stand for?
Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora
Define coppice
woodland where the trees or shrubs are cut back every few years for firewood or timber
Define deciduous
having leaves that fall off in the autumn and grow again in spring
What is desertification?
where land becomes increasingly arid and less and less useful for farming
What is a direct threat?
when there is a direct cause between one thing happening and damage being caused to something else
Define ecological debt
when the earths resources are being used up faster than Earth can replace them
Define ecological footprint
a measure of the impact of human activities, expressed as the area of productive land and water required to produce the goods consumed and the wastes generated
Define ecotourism
tourism that minimises harmful impacts on the environment and which aims to use tourism to help local communities
What is an indirect threat?
when there is not a direct cause between one thing happening and another thing being damaged
Define an invasive species
is a plant, animal or disease introduced from one area to another which causes ecosystem damage
What is a national park?
a large area of natural land protected by the government because of its natural beauty, plants or animals
What is a pesticide?
a chemical used on crops to kill unwanted insects
Define prehensile
able to grip. For example, a monkey with a prehensile tail can hold on to branches with its tail
Define the term REDD
Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation
Define regulate
to bring under control through rules or laws
Define succulent plant
a plant with thick leaves that can store water
Define sustainable forestry
when trees are cut down for timber and they are replaced by new trees, ideally with species that are naturally part of that ecosystem rather than non-native species
