Impacts on Land

Front

Natural Resource Noun

---

[nach-uh-ruhl ree-sors]

Back

Natural Resource

---

Anything that occurs naturally in the environment and is used by people for survival or other purposes.

---

Example: The image shows natural resources like water, sunlight, and soil, which are used by living things for survival.

Front

Renewable Resource Noun

---

[ri-noo-uh-buhl ree-sors]

Back

Renewable Resource

---

A resource that is either always available or is naturally replaced in a relatively short period of time.

---

Example: Solar panels and wind turbines are renewable resources that provide energy without depleting natural resources.

Front

Nonrenewable Resource Noun

---

[non-ri-noo-uh-buhl ree-sors]

Back

Nonrenewable Resource

---

A natural resource that is not replaced within a useful time frame after it has been consumed.

---

Example: The image shows how dead plants turn into coal, illustrating nonrenewable resources.

Front

Fossil Fuels Noun

---

[fos-uhl fyoo-uhls]

Back

Fossil Fuels

---

Energy-rich substances like coal and oil, formed over millions of years from the remains of ancient organisms.

---

Example: The image shows how coal is formed from ancient plants over millions of years under heat and pressure.

Front

Agriculture Noun

---

[ag-ri-kuhl-cher]

Back

Agriculture

---

The science or practice of farming, including the cultivation of soil for growing crops and rearing animals.

---

Example: A machine planting rice seedlings in a field shows modern agriculture techniques.

Front

Deforestation Noun

---

[dee-for-uh-stey-shuhn]

Back

Deforestation

---

The large-scale removal of forests to use the land for other reasons, such as farming or development.

---

Example: The image shows a clear boundary between dense forest and cleared land, illustrating deforestation.

Front

Strip Mining Noun

---

[strip mahy-ning]

Back

Strip Mining

---

A mining method that removes the top layer of soil and rock to expose the minerals or ore underneath.

---

Example: The image shows how strip mining removes soil layers to reach coal.

Front

Development Noun

---

[di-vel-uhp-muhnt]

Back

Development

---

The process of constructing buildings and other human structures on land, which alters the natural habitat.

---

Example: This image shows how urban development changes land by adding buildings and roads.

Front

Litter Noun

---

[lit-er]

Back

Litter

---

The top layer of forest or soil, composed of dead leaves, grass, and other decaying organic matter.

---

Example: The image shows dead leaves on a forest floor, representing litter as the top layer of soil made of decaying organic matter.

Front

Topsoil Noun

---

[top-soil]

Back

Topsoil

---

The upper layer of soil, which is a mixture of rock fragments, nutrients, water, air, and decaying organisms.

---

Example: The image shows topsoil as the upper layer of soil, containing organic material and nutrients.