Human Impact on Ecosystems

Science

When rain is acidic due to pollution

Acid rain

When rain is acidic due to pollution. Acid rain. Acid rain occurs when pollutants like sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides mix with water vapor in the atmosphere and fall to the ground as rain.

Number and variety of species living in an area

Biodiversity

Number and variety of species living in an area. Biodiversity. Biodiversity is the variety of all living things in a particular place, which helps ecosystems stay healthy and function properly.

The increase in concentration of harmful substances in the higher levels of a food chain

Biological magnification

The increase in concentration of harmful substances in the higher levels of a food chain biological magnification. Biological magnification is when toxins become more concentrated in the bodies of animals as you move up the food chain.

The careful management and use of resources

Conservation

The careful management and use of resources. Conservation. In science, conservation means protecting and preserving natural resources to ensure their availability for the future.

The process of clearing forests

Deforestation

The process of clearing forests. Deforestation. It's when people remove trees from forests, often for farming or construction, impacting the environment.

The variety of habitats, communities, and ecological processes in an area

Ecosystem diversity

The variety of habitats, communities, and ecological processes in an area. Ecosystem diversity. Ecosystem diversity refers to the range of different environments and living communities in a particular area, contributing to the overall health of the planet.

The death of all members of a species

Extinction

The death of all members of a species. Extinction. In Science, extinction is when a species no longer exists because all its members have died out.

The variety of inheritable characteristics or genes in an interbreeding population

Genetic diversity

The variety of inheritable characteristics or genes in an interbreeding population. Genetic diversity. It refers to the range of different genes within a species, which helps populations adapt to changing environments.

The warming of the Earth when the atmosphere traps heat like a blanket

Greenhouse effect

The warming of the Earth when the atmosphere traps heat like a blanket. Greenhouse effect. The greenhouse effect is when certain gases in the atmosphere trap heat, warming the planet.

The breaking of a habitat into smaller, isolated pieces

Habitat fragmentation

The breaking of a habitat into smaller, isolated pieces. Habitat fragmentation is when a large habitat is divided into smaller, unconnected sections, which can harm wildlife by limiting their resources and movement.

A natural resource that is consumed faster than it can be created

Nonrenewable resource

A natural resource that is consumed faster than it can be created. Nonrenewable resource. It is a type of resource, like coal or oil, that can't be quickly replenished by nature once its used up.

A molecule composed of three oxygen atoms, it blocks UV rays

Ozone

A molecule composed of three oxygen atoms, it blocks UV rays. Ozone is a gas found in Earth's atmosphere that absorbs and protects us from harmful ultraviolet radiation.

A resource that is replaced by nature more quickly than it is consumed

Renewable resource

A resource that is replaced by nature more quickly than it is consumed. Renewable resource. A renewable resource is something that can be naturally replenished and won't run out, like sunlight or wind.

Gray-brown air pollution made up of chemicals

Smog

Gray-brown air pollution made up of chemicals. Smog. Smog is a type of air pollution created when sunlight reacts with pollutants in the atmosphere.

The number of different species in an area

Species diversity

The number of different species in an area. Species diversity. It is the variety of different species living in a habitat, contributing to a healthier ecosystem.

Using natural resources at a rate that does not deplete them

Sustainable development

Using natural resources at a rate that does not deplete them. Sustainable development. It is about meeting today's needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.