Section 2 Glossary

Section 2 Glossary

abiotic: the non-living elements of an environment, such as air, temperature, and wind

biodiversity: the number, variety, and variability of living organisms on Earth, among ecosystems, among species, and within species

biotic: the living organisms of an environment

climate change: the increase in Earth's average temperature, attributed to human activities such as the burning of fossil fuels (coal, oil, and natural gas)

ecosystem: a complex system formed by the relationships and interactions among the living organisms of a particular self-sustaining environment with one another, with their resources, and with their habitat

Everything that lives in an ecosystem is dependent on other species and elements of that ecological community.

ecological footprint: each human's affect on the environment; based on each individual's demands for land and resources and the ability for Earth to regenerate those resources

environmental issue: any problem that poses a challenge or opportunity for the environment, such as how human interaction changes or alters the environment

greenhouse gases: gases that capture the heat generated by the sun and make the Earth's atmosphere behave like a greenhouse

land use: human interaction with the environment, such as agriculture, forestry, oil and gas production

sustainable development: maintaining or improving quality of life while ensuring the preservation of natural resources and ecosystems for future generations