Human Impact Vocab

Front

ecological footprint

Back

the total amount of functioning ecosystem needed both to provide the resources that a human population uses and to absorb the wastes that the population generates

Front

global warming

Back

increase in the average temperatures on Earth

Front

climate change

Back

measurable long-term changes in averages of temperatures, clouds, winds, precipitation, and frequency of extreme weather events such as floods, major storms, and heat waves

Front

ozone layer

Back

atmospheric layer in which ozone gas is relatively concentrated; protects life on Earth from harmful ultraviolet rays in sunlight

Front

deforestation

Back

the cutting down of forests

Front

reforestation

Back

the process of replanting an area with trees

Front

invasive species

Back

non-native species whose introduction causes, or is likely to cause, economic harm, environmental harm, or harm to human health

Front

pollutant

Back

any harmful material created as a result human activity and released into the environment

Front

biological magnification

Back

increasing concentration of a harmful substance in organisms at higher trophic levels in a food chain/food web

Front

biodiversity

Back

total of the variety of organisms in the biosphere