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Chapter 7: People & Nature
People & Nature
15
Geography
9th Grade
01/30/2013

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Cards

Term
Seismic Activity
Definition
Movement from earthquakes and volcanoes.
Term
Agriculture
Definition
Growing of food by farming.
Term
Tornadoes
Definition
Violent, dangerous rotating column of air that is in contact with both the surface of the Earth and clouds in the sky, also known as twisters.
Term
Desertification
Definition
Process by which an area changes into a desert.
Term
El Nino/La Nina
Definition
Rising global temperatures have led to periodic warming of the surface of the Pacific Ocean. These can cause increased rain in the Pacific Ocean and along the coasts of North & South America.
Term
Graphic Information Systems (GIS)
Definition
Spatial information systems that merge information from satellites and land-based sources, such as maps, statistics, and other sources.
Term
Pollution
Definition
Act of adding harmful substances and wastes; such as smoke, toxic fumes, chemicals, and garbage to our natural environment.
Term
Greenhouse Effect
Definition
Burning of fossil fuels like coal and gasoline has increased the amounts of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. This prevents heat from escaping into space and leads to rising temperatures on Earth.
Term
Ozone Layer
Definition
Ozone absorbs much of the sun's ultraviolet radiation. Without the ozone layer surrounding the Earth, ultraviolet radiation may cause mutations in living cells leading to skin cancers.
Term
Pesticides
Definition
Poisonous chemicals used to eliminate or control insects that threaten crops. They sometimes get into the water and soil, endangering other animals such as birds.
Term
Acid Rain
Definition
When coal and oil are burned, they release sulfur dioxide into the atmosphere. These pollutants return to Earth when it rains. Acid rain can destroy forests, kill fish, and endanger the environment.
Term
Renewable Resources
Definition
Resources, such as trees, that can renew themselves after a period of time.
Term
Non-Renewable Resources
Definition
Resources, such as coal and oil, that can only be used one time. They do not have the ability to renew themselves.
Term
Biodiversity
Definition
A great range, or diversity, of species. Tropical rainforests have the greatest biodiversity and the greatest concentration of plant life on Earth.
Term
Sustainable Development
Definition
Use of resources in a way that can meet future as well as present human needs. Sustainable development uses renewable resources at a slower rate, so that nature is able to replenish itself.
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