Unit 9: Human Impact Vocabulary

4. a situation in which individuals overuse a shared resource leading to its depletion
8. the buildup of toxins in organisms over time
12. a rule or law designed to control human activities to protect the environment
13. the introduction of harmful substances into the environment
15. the breaking of habitats into smaller isolated pieces often caused by development
16. moral beliefs that influence decisions about right and wrong actions
17. the effect human activities have on ecosystems and natural resources
18. a community of organisms interacting with each other and their physical environment
19. the variety of living organisms within an ecosystem
20. hunting wildlife at unsustainable rates that reduce or eliminate populations

1. a natural resource shared by many people such as air water or fisheries
2. tourism focused on natural areas that aims to minimize environmental impact
3. the wearing away of soil or land due to wind water or human activity
5. a decision that involves gaining one benefit while giving up another
6. using resources in a way that meets current needs without harming future generations
7. the regulation of hunting and fishing to maintain sustainable populations
9. the process of repairing damaged ecosystems to improve environmental health
10. catching fish faster than populations can naturally reproduce
11. the protection and careful management of natural resources
14. the removal or damage of natural environments needed for species to survive