AP Environmental Science: Human Impact on Land and Water Sources

Tragedy of the Commons

A concept introduced by Garrett Hardin suggesting that individuals use shared resources in their self-interest, leading to depletion.

The Commons

A shared, unregulated public resource such as the atmosphere or open ocean.

Overfishing

Catching fish faster than they can reproduce, leading to resource collapse.

Overgrazing

Adding too many animals to a pasture, resulting in soil erosion and desertification.

Groundwater depletion

Pumping from aquifers faster than they recharge, impacting water supply.

Privatization

Dividing commons into private parcels to incentivize resource protection.

Regulation

Government-imposed caps and quotas to manage resource use.

Cooperative Management

Community-based rules and enforcement for resource management.

Clearcutting

A timber practice of removing all trees in an area, causing significant environmental damage.

Soil Erosion

Movement of soil caused by the removal of root systems during clearcutting.

Increased Water Turbidity

Cloudy water caused by runoff blocking sunlight, impacting aquatic life.

Loss of Biodiversity

Destruction of habitats leading to a decline in species variety.

Selective Cutting

Harvesting only certain trees to maintain ecosystem health.

Reforestation

Planting new trees to replace those that have been harvested.

Prescribed Burns

Controlled fires used to manage biomass and prevent larger wildfires.

Green Revolution

Shift in agriculture from small farms to large-scale operations to increase food production.

Mechanization

Use of machinery in agriculture to increase efficiency.

Monocropping

Planting a single crop species over a large area, increasing vulnerability to pests.

Synthetic Fertilizers

Chemically manufactured fertilizers that provide quick nutrients but can cause environmental issues.

Eutrophication

Process caused by excess nutrients leading to algal blooms in water bodies.

Irrigation

Artificial application of water to assist in the growing of crops.

CAFO

Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations focusing on high-density animal farming.

Free-Range Grazing

Farming method where animals graze on grass in natural pastures.

The 10% Rule

It takes 10 times more resources to produce one calorie of beef compared to grain.

Surface Mining

Extraction method that removes soil and rock layers to access ore.

Subsurface Mining

Method involving tunneling underground to extract minerals.

Acid Mine Drainage

Formation of sulfuric acid from iron pyrite exposure causing environmental damage.

Urban Sprawl

Expansion of low-density communities away from central urban areas.

Urban Runoff

Water from precipitation that flows over impervious surfaces, carrying pollutants directly to waterways.

Permable Pavement

Surface that allows water to infiltrate, mitigating runoff issues.

Integrated Pest Management (IPM)

Ecosystem-based pest control emphasizing prevention and minimal pesticide use.

Pesticide Treadmill

Cycle of increasing pesticide use due to resistant pests.

Aquaculture

Fish farming practice that raises fish in controlled environments.

Ecological Footprint

Measure of natural resources consumed and waste produced by a population.

IPAT Equation

A formula estimating environmental impact based on population, affluence, and technology.

Bioaccumulation

Accumulation of substances in an individual organism over time.

Biomagnification

Increased concentration of substances in organisms at higher levels of the food chain.

Weathering

The breakdown of rocks into smaller pieces.

Erosion

The transport of broken rock or soil by wind or water.

Groundwater Contamination

Pollution of groundwater typically caused by agricultural runoff.

Salinization

Accumulation of salts in soil, often due to improper irrigation techniques.

Edge Effect

Increased biodiversity along boundaries between different ecosystems.

Sustainable Forestry

Forest management practices that maintain ecological balance.

Overburden

Soil and rock removed to access minerals in mining.

Spoil/Tailings

Waste material left after mineral extraction, often toxic.