Definitions

Question 1

Definition of environment

Answer 1

Living & non-living elements of Earth’s surface & atmosphere, includes human-induced changes.

Question 2

Define ecosystem

Answer 2

a community of living organisms and their interactions with the non-living features of an environment.

Question 3

What are natural biomes?

Answer 3

biomes which haven’t had sustained, direct human interactions

Question 4

what are anthropogenic biomes?

Answer 4

biomes that are the result of sustained direct human interactions with ecosystems

Question 5

define remote sensing

Answer 5

the science of obtaining information about objects or areas from a distance, usually from aircraft or satellites

Question 6

define affluence

Answer 6

having an abundant supply of money, goods or wealth

Question 7

define deforestation

Answer 7

Removal/clearing of forests, generally for uses such as agriculture & urban development.

Question 8

define land cover change

Answer 8

Changes taken place in natural environments due to a variety of natural & human induced causes.

Question 9

define climate change

Answer 9

The long-term change in the statistical distribution of weather patterns over decades to millions of years.

Question 10

define biodiversity

Answer 10

The number, type, & variety of biotic organisms found within an environment or ecosystem.

Question 11

define biodiversity loss

Answer 11

Decrease in the number, type, & variety of living organisms found within an environment or ecosystem.

Question 12

define sustainability

Answer 12

Meeting needs of current & future generations through simultaneous environmental, social, economic adaptations & improvements.

Question 13

define mosaic burning

Answer 13

The use of cool burns (regular, relatively controlled, low intensity) to clear natural vegetation.

Question 14

define precipiation

Answer 14

Occurs when rain, snow or hail falls from the sky.

Question 15

define transpiration

Answer 15

Evaporation of water from pores in plant’s leaves.

Question 16

define infiltration

Answer 16

Occurs during precipitation when some of water that falls to Earth soaks into ground.

Question 17

define runoff

Answer 17

Occurs when water doesn’t soak into ground & flows across land instead.

Question 18

define urban heat islands

Answer 18

The warming of temperatures in urban areas due to human made environments.

Question 19

define weather

Answer 19

Short-term condition of atmosphere at a given place & time.

Question 20

define climate

Answer 20

Long-term, average weather conditions for a location, calculated over long periods of time.

Question 21

define atmospheric circulation

Answer 21

Large scale movement of air around the Earth responsible for the distribution of thermal energy across the surface of the Earth.

Question 22

define albedo

Answer 22

Surface reflectivity.

Question 23

define heat budget

Answer 23

The balance of solar radiation entering & leaving Earth.

Question 24

define natural greenhouse effect

Answer 24

Process where greenhouse gases absorb some terrestrial radiation released by Earth’s surface & re-radiate heat in all directions, including back towards ground.

Question 25

define carbon cycle

Answer 25

Continuous movement of carbon compounds between land, oceans, atmosphere, & living organisms in its various states.

Question 26

define hydrological cycle

Answer 26

Continuous movement of water as a liquid, gas & solid throughout the land, oceans, & atmosphere

Question 27

define insolation

Answer 27

Short wave solar radiation

Question 28

define abiotic

Answer 28

Non-living components of an ecosystem.

Question 29

define biotic

Answer 29

Living components of an ecosystem

Question 30

define producers

Answer 30

Autotrophic organisms

Question 31

define consumers

Answer 31

Heterotrophic organisms.

Question 32

define decomposers

Answer 32

Organisms that breakdown dead organic matter & waste matter.