All Flashcards
What is clearcutting?
Logging method where all trees in an area are removed at once.
Define selective logging.
Logging method where only certain trees are removed, leaving the rest of the forest intact.
Define group cutting.
Logging method where small groups of trees are removed, allowing for quicker forest regeneration.
What is habitat destruction?
The process by which a natural habitat becomes incapable of supporting its native species.
What is soil erosion?
The process by which soil is worn away and removed by wind or water.
What is carbon sequestration?
The process of capturing and storing atmospheric carbon dioxide.
What is the carbon cycle?
The biogeochemical cycle by which carbon is exchanged among the biosphere, pedosphere, geosphere, hydrosphere, and atmosphere of the Earth.
Define deforestation.
The clearing of forests for other land uses.
What are greenhouse gases?
Gases that trap heat in the atmosphere, contributing to global warming.
Define biodiversity.
The variety of life in the world or in a particular habitat or ecosystem.
How does selective logging promote sustainability?
Selective logging minimizes habitat destruction and allows for faster forest regeneration, promoting long-term forest health.
How does group cutting promote sustainability?
Group cutting allows for faster forest regeneration and is a more strategic and sustainable approach.
What is the role of forests in the carbon cycle?
Forests absorb CO2 during photosynthesis, storing carbon and reducing atmospheric CO2 levels.
How does clearcutting impact biodiversity?
Clearcutting reduces biodiversity by destroying habitats and displacing species.
Explain the relationship between deforestation and climate change.
Deforestation contributes to climate change by releasing stored carbon into the atmosphere and reducing the planet's ability to absorb CO2.
What is the significance of soil erosion in deforested areas?
Soil erosion leads to loss of fertile land, water pollution, and damage to aquatic ecosystems.
Explain the concept of interconnectedness in environmental systems.
Environmental systems are interconnected, meaning that changes in one area (e.g., deforestation) can have cascading effects on other systems (e.g., climate, water, biodiversity).