AMSCO Chapter 11 Vocabulary

Greenhouse Effect

• The trapping of the sun's warmth in a planet's lower atmosphere due to the presence of greenhouse gases.

• The process of photosynthesis in plants.

• The increase in Earth's temperature due to deforestation.

• The reflection of sunlight by the Earth's surface.

Natural Resources

• Materials or substances occurring in nature which can be exploited for economic gain.

• Artificially created materials for industrial use.

• Products derived from renewable energy sources.

• Waste materials that can be recycled for profit.

Ozone Layer

• A layer in the earth's stratosphere which absorbs most of the sun's ultraviolet radiation.

• A type of cloud formation that occurs at high altitudes.

• A layer of the atmosphere that contains the highest concentration of oxygen.

• A region of the earth's surface that is rich in ozone gas.

Succession

• The process by which the structure of a biological community evolves over time.

• A method of plant reproduction involving seeds.

• The seasonal changes in weather patterns.

• The migration of species from one habitat to another.

Engineering Design Process

• A method for creating artistic designs.

• A series of steps that engineers follow to come up with a solution to a problem.

• A process for manufacturing products in bulk.

• A technique for improving software performance.

Solid Wastes

• Any garbage or refuse, sludge from a wastewater treatment plant, water supply treatment plant, or air pollution control facility.

• Only recyclable materials that can be processed and reused.

• Hazardous materials that require special disposal methods.

• Organic waste that can be composted.

Nonrenewable Resources

• Resources that can be replenished naturally over time.

• Resources that do not renew themselves at a sufficient rate for sustainable economic extraction.

• Resources that are abundant and available for unlimited use.

• Resources that are only found in specific geographic locations.

Primary Succession

• The process of change in species composition in an ecosystem over time.

• The series of community changes which occur on an entirely new habitat which has never been colonized before.

• The gradual replacement of one community by another in a previously inhabited area.

• The immediate response of an ecosystem to a disturbance.

Invasive Species

• Non-native species that spread beyond their original introduction area and cause environmental or economic damage.

• Native species that thrive in their original habitat without causing harm.

• Species that are introduced intentionally for agricultural purposes.

• Species that are endangered and require protection.

Biome

• A large naturally occurring community of flora and fauna occupying a major habitat.

• A small area with a specific climate and vegetation.

• A type of artificial habitat created by humans.

• A region characterized by extreme weather conditions.