Human Geography Quiz 3 – Flashcards
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resource
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a substance in the environment that is useful to people, economically and technologically feasible to access, and socially acceptable to use
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renewable resource
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produced in nature more readily than it is consumed by humans
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nonrenewable resource
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produced in nature more slowly than it is consumed by humans
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sustainability
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the use of the Earth's renewable and nonrenewable resources in ways that ensure resource availability in the future
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conservation
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the sustainable use and management of Earth's natural resources to meet human needs such as food, medicine, and recreation
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preservation
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the maintenance of resources in their present condition, with as little human impact as possible
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biotic system
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composed of living organisms
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abiotic system
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composed of nonliving or inorganic matter
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atmosphere
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a thin layer of gases surrounding Earth
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hydrosphere
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all of the water on and near Earth's surface
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lithosphere
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Earth's crust and a portion of upper mantle directly below the crust
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biosphere
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all living organism's on Earth, including plants and animals, as well as microorganisms
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climate
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the long-term average weather condition at a particular location
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ecosystem
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a group of living organisms and the abiotic spheres with which they interact
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ecology
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the scientific study of ecosystems
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erosion
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occurs when the soil washes away in the rain or blows away in the wind
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cultural ecology
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the geographic study of human-environmental relations
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environmental determinism
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the belief that the physical environment caused social development
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possibilism
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the belief that the physical environment may limit some human actions, but people have the ability to adjust to their environment
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polder
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a piece of land that is created by draining water from an area
