Unit 5 Test ~ Part 2 Flashcards
Describe the trend in US population distribution over the past 50 years
The US population has shifted from less dense, rural areas to more dense, urban areas.
Describe how urbanization impacts the water cycle in a region
Urbanization leads to the creation of more impervious surfaces like cement, asphalt, and concrete which doesn’t let precipitation infiltrate soil. Thus, rainwater becomes runoff that becomes polluted and joins other bodies of water like the ocean. Aquifers and groundwater are not able to be refilled and water travels to other areas.
Define impervious and list 2 impervious structures
Impervious means it doesn’t allow water to flow through. Some impervious structures are sidewalks and parking lots.
Define urban blight
urban blight consists of run down buildings that look ugly and are abandoned.
Explain how blight and gas taxes, cause urban sprawl
urban blight causes more people to leave the urban areas into suburbs because people don’t wanna live near ugly/old places. Gas taxes means more money for the government to create highways and then that makes it easier for people to leave to live in the suburbs and just drive to the urban areas for work.
Ecological Footprint
It is the amount you consume in terms of land..
it’s measured in global hectare or gha (2.47 acres)
Carbon Footprint
All the carbon released from an individual/group consumption & activities…this is measures in tonnes of CO2
Describe TWO steps an individual could take to decrease their ecological footprint
An individual can use renewable energy, they can use more public transportation, eat a more plant-based diet, and travel less.
Explain how living in dense, urban areas can lower an individual’s ecological footprint
Living in a dense, urban area means sharing more transportation and being able to use public transportation..also there are smaller homes than suburbs and less affluence which icrease carbon/ecologiacl footprint.
Define sustainability, in terms of the rate at which a resource is consumed
Sustainability is using a resource in a way that allows it to be used by future generations (in a way that doesn’t deplete or degrade it)
What is maximum sustainable yield?
Maximum sustainable yield is half of the carrying capacity. it maximizes the harvesting of the resource and regeneration rate
Explain how maximum sustainable yield relates to sustainability
Maximum sustainab;e yield takes into account the need for harvesting of a resource as much as it can while also thinking of ensuring the resource can regenerate for the sake of future generations.
Define environmental indicator
An environmental indicator shows the heath of the environment. it can help guide us to know how to use resources more sustainably
Identify TWO sustainable methods of soil conservation
Diversifying the variety of crops, rotating crops, countour plowing (plowing to the natural slopes of the land with mini terraces), adding perennial crops that live year round and allow for more established roots * prevent bare soil), no tilling, strip cropping, and adding windbreaks (trees/plants that block wind from eroding topsoil), and terracing (cutting flat platforms of soil which catches runoff and prevents soil erosion
Strip Cropping
rows of alternating crops
- prevents water from eroding soil as more dense crops stop water from ruining less dense crops
- add more nutrients to soil that may be taken up by other crop
No Tilling
Leaving plant matter from past crops or cover crops
- prevents erosion from loosened soil
- adds more nutrients to the soil from decomposed matter
Contour Plowing
plowing parallel to natural slopes of land
- prevents water from running off and eroding soil
- mini terraces can catch water to keep soil healthy
Describe how limestone improves soil fertility
Limestone can help acidic soils because it releases calcium carbonate which neutralizes the soil. Calcium is also an important nutrient for the soil. Acidic soil usually leeches nutrients and makes toxic metals more soluble in soul so it’s better for it to become neutral.
Define green manure
it is leftover plant material from a cover crop that is planted in offseason
- the roots stabalize the soil which prevents erosion
- the nutrients are absorbed in the soil
rotational grazing
livestock is rotated in different pastures to allow for vegetation to regenerate and prevent overgrazing. overgrazing can kiill plants, compact soil and lead to erosion. grass is clipped to promote deeper roots
Crop Rotation
crops are rotated in where they are planted because if they are planted in the same place, the soil is depleted of nutrients that the plant may take up
