People and Environment Flashcards
(55 cards)
What is a Biome?
A large scale ecosystem
What does Abiotic mean?
Non-living elements of an ecosystem, such as climate, temperature, water, and soil type
What does Biotic mean?
Living elements of an ecosystem, such as plants and animals
What is an Ecosystem?
The living organisms in a particular area, together with the non-living components of the environment
What does Flora mean?
All types of plant species that live in a specific area
What does Fauna mean?
All the different types of animals that live in a specific area
What is the Nutrient Cycle?
Cyclic movements of nutrients such as calcium, potassium, and magnesium within an ecosystem
What does industrialisation mean?
When a country’s economy moves from being based on farming to being based on industry
What does urbanisation mean?
A growth in the urban population, usually resulting in the extension of towns or cities
What does wealth mean?
An abundance of valuable possessions or money
What does exploitation mean?
When the natural environment is destroyed for its natural resources, eg deforestation as a result of cutting timber
What is the Boseruptian theory?
Boserup wrote ‘the necessity is the mother of invention’ that means if you need it someone will invent it, eg if more food was needed people would invent ways of increasing food supply
What is the Malthusian theory?
The theory states that food production will not be able to keep up with the growth in the human population, resulting in world hunger, wars, etc
What does Altitide mean?
The height of an object or point in relation to sea level or ground level
What does Latitude mean?
Imaginary lines around the Earths running parallel to the equator. These are measured in degrees north or south of the equator
What is the Carbon Cycle?
The processes and events involved in recycling carbon in the environment
Who are Indigenous People?
The first known human inhabitants of an area
What is a Biosphere?
The area of the Earth and its atmosphere where living organisms are found
What is Biodiversity?
The range of animals and plant in a given area
What are Buttress Roots?
A tree root that grows above the forest floor to provide nutrients and support
What is Deforestation?
The cutting down of trees and forests to allow a different land use
What are Drip Tips?
Plants with pointy tips. This allows water to run off the leaves quickly without damaging or breaking the leaves
What is Ecotourism?
Tourism which aims to be environmentally friendly
What are Food Webs?
A network of food chains, showing how they all link together
