Chronically Undernourished
Those people whose diet doesn’t provide the 2,200 cal per day, on average, considered necessary for a health productive life
Food Security
The ability of individuals to obtain sufficient food on a day-to-day basis
Obese
Generally considered to be a body mass greater than 30kg/m2, or roughly 30 pounds above normal for an average person
Malnourishment
Nutritional imbalance caused by lack of specific dietary components or inability to absorb or utilize essential nutrients
Anemia
Low levels of hemoglobin due to iron deficiency or lack of red blood cells
Kwashiorkor
A widespread human protein deficiency disease resulting form a starch diet low in protein and essential amino acids
Marasmus
A widespread human protein deficiency disease caused by a diet low in calories and protein or imbalanced in essential amino acids
Confined Animal Feeding Operation (CAFO)
Facilities in which large numbers of animals spend most or all of their life in confinement
Aquaculture
Growing aquatic species in net pens or tanks
Genetic Engineering
Laboratory manipulation of genetic material using molecular biology techniques to create desired characteristics in organisms
Genetically Modified Organisms (GMO’s)
Organisms whose genetic code has been altered by artificial means such as interspecies gene transfer
Soil Erosion
After plowing/harvesting, loose soil is
easily blown away by wind or washed away by rain.
Excessive irrigation causes greater runoff and depletes
aquifers. Soil is considered renewable, however, it takes a
great amount of time
Soil Conservation Stratagies
Methods to reduce soil erosion
Deforestation
Removal of forests in order to clear land
for growing crops. Many negative impacts on ecology:
destroys habitats, reduces groundcover, dries out soil,
increases soil erosion, eliminates a carbon reservoir
Fertilizer Runoff
Causes nutrient pollution which may
lead to cultural eutrophication and hypoxia
Desertification
Occurs in areas near deserts, farming
dries out soil and expands the desert area
Soil Salinization
Occurs in dry climates receiving excessive irrigation. Dissolved salts accumulate in the soil. Eventually too salty for crop growth.
Waterlogging
In areas with a high water table, excessive
irrigation raises level to submerge roots
Pest
Any living thing that competes with humans for food
Herbicides
Control weeds
Fungicides
Control fungus
Rodenticides
Control rodents
Insecticides
Control insects
Broad Spectrum Pesticides
Kill many different species; an environmental problem because the “good” species are killed with the “bad”
Examples:
Chlorinated hydrocarbons (DDT, Dieldrin)
Organophosphates (Malathion, Parathion)
Narrow Spectrum Pesticiedes
Only kill a target species, such as “ant killer”
Pesticide Treadmill
Following an application of pesticide, most target
pests will die. The survivors already have some
genetic resistance. The survivors reproduce and pass
their resistance to their young. The farmer will have
to apply greater concentrations on this generation
for the same effect. This process continues until the
pesticide is no longer effective
IPM
Integrated Pest Management
Factory Farm
A large-scale animal confinement operation. Hundreds, thousands, or millions of animals are housed together, fattened quickly with antibiotics and growth hormones
CAFO
Confined Animal Feeding Operations
Long-line Fishing
Up to 80 miles of fishing line is strung out with thousands of baited hooks attached and then hauled in. Used to catch
swordfish, tuna and shark
Purse Seine Fishing
Net is thrown over a large school of fish, then closed like a purse and pulled back on the ship
Bycatch
Other species are accidentally caught and killed such as sea turtles, dolphins and sea birds
Drift-net Fishing
Net is set to hang down in the water (up to 50 feet below) and extend for miles. These nets catch large numbers of non-target species, especially turtles and dolphins
Trawler Fishing
Large metal chain baskets holding nets are dragged across the ocean floor scouring the bottom for shrimp, scallops, flounder, etc. Damages bottom formations
Soil
Composed of a complex mixture of weathered rock, partially decomposed organic material, and organisms
Soil Horizons
The horizontal layers the soil forms into
Soil Profile
A cross-section of soil horizons or
layers. Most of the living organisms are found near
the top of the profile
O Horizon
Surface soil, contains partially decomposed plant material
and/or leaf litter
A Horizon
Topsoil, mineral-containing weathered rock material and organic matter (humus)
B Horizon
Subsoil, less organic material and more mineral particles
C Horizon
Weathered parent material on top of bedrock
Soil Triangle
Used to determine textural classes of soil based on the percentage of sand, silt, and clay in the soil
Goiter
Condition that occurs as a result of a diet
low in iodine. A swollen neck develops because the
thyroid gland enlarges
Vitamin A Definciency
Children will be more susceptible to infectious disease and blindness