Radience

Human Impact on Ecosystems

Science

acid rain

when rain is acidic due to pollution
acid rain Simple Definition

biodiversity

number and variety of species living in an area
biodiversity Simple Definition

biological magnification

the increase in concentration of harmful substances in the higher levels of a food chain
biological magnification Simple Definition

conservation

the careful management and use of resources
conservation Simple Definition

deforestation

the process of clearing forests
deforestation Simple Definition

ecosystem diversity

the variety of habitats, communities, and ecological processes in an area
ecosystem diversity Simple Definition

extinction

the death of all members of a species
extinction Simple Definition

genetic diversity

the variety of inheritable characteristics or genes in an interbreeding population
genetic diversity Simple Definition

greenhouse effect

the warming of the Earth when the atmosphere traps heat like a blanket
greenhouse effect Simple Definition

habitat fragmentation

the breaking of a habitat into smaller, isolated pieces
habitat fragmentation Simple Definition

nonrenewable resource

a natural resource that is consumed faster than it can be created
nonrenewable resource Simple Definition

ozone

a molecule composed of three oxygen atoms, it blocks UV rays
ozone Simple Definition

renewable resource

a resource that is replaced by nature more quickly than it is consumed
renewable resource Simple Definition

smog

gray-brown air pollution made up of chemicals
smog Simple Definition

species diversity

the number of different species in an area
species diversity Simple Definition

sustainable development

using natural resources at a rate that does not deplete them
sustainable development Simple Definition

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