Glossary
Conservation Efforts
Actions taken to protect and preserve natural resources and the environment from degradation and depletion for current and future generations.
Example:
Establishing national parks and promoting sustainable farming practices are examples of conservation efforts aimed at protecting biodiversity and natural landscapes.
Desertification
The process by which fertile land becomes desert, typically as a result of drought, deforestation, or inappropriate agriculture and land management practices.
Example:
The expansion of the Sahara Desert into formerly productive agricultural land in North Africa is a stark example of desertification, threatening food security for millions.
Draining Wetlands
The process of removing water from wetland areas, typically to convert them into agricultural land or for urban development, leading to biodiversity loss.
Example:
Historically, large areas of the Florida Everglades were subjected to draining wetlands projects to create farmland, leading to significant loss of unique ecosystems and biodiversity.
Irrigation
The artificial application of water to land to assist in the production of crops, especially in dry areas, but can lead to environmental issues like salinization.
Example:
Farmers in the American Southwest rely heavily on irrigation systems, drawing water from rivers like the Colorado, to grow water-intensive crops in an otherwise arid environment.
Overfishing
The removal of fish from a body of water at a rate faster than they can reproduce, leading to a decline in fish populations and marine biodiversity.
Example:
The collapse of cod stocks in the Grand Banks off Newfoundland in the late 20th century was a direct result of overfishing, devastating the local fishing industry.
Overgrazing
The practice of allowing too many livestock to graze on a piece of land, leading to the degradation of vegetation and soil beyond its capacity to recover.
Example:
In parts of the Sahel region, continuous grazing by large herds of cattle has led to severe land degradation and increased vulnerability to drought, a clear example of overgrazing.
Pastoral Nomadism
A form of subsistence agriculture based on the herding of domesticated animals, where people move with their herds in search of pasture and water.
Example:
The Maasai people of East Africa practice pastoral nomadism, moving their cattle herds across vast grasslands in search of grazing lands, a lifestyle deeply tied to their cultural identity.
Pesticides
Chemical substances used to destroy pests, especially insects, that are harmful to cultivated plants or to animals, often with environmental side effects.
Example:
Farmers might use pesticides to protect their corn crops from insect infestations, but runoff can contaminate nearby rivers and harm aquatic life.
Slash and Burn/Shifting Cultivation
An agricultural practice where forest vegetation is cut down and burned to clear land for cultivation, with farmers moving to new plots once soil fertility declines.
Example:
Indigenous communities in the Amazon rainforest traditionally practice slash and burn agriculture, rotating plots to allow the forest to regenerate, though large-scale application can lead to deforestation.
Soil Salinization
The process by which the salt content of soil increases, often due to irrigation with salty water or poor drainage, which can reduce crop yields.
Example:
In arid regions like the Central Valley of California, extensive irrigation without proper drainage has led to significant soil salinization, reducing crop yields in many fields.
Terrace Farming
A method of farming on steep slopes by cutting a series of flat steps or platforms into the hillside, which helps reduce soil erosion and retain moisture.
Example:
The ancient Inca civilization famously used terrace farming in the Andes Mountains to grow crops like potatoes and corn, preventing soil erosion and maximizing arable land.