Environment & Nature — B2 Vocabulary Flashcards

deforestation

the large-scale clearing or cutting down of forests, often to make way for farming or urban development.

biodiversity

the variety of plant and animal life in a particular habitat or on earth as a whole.

greenhouse effect

the trapping of the sun's warmth in the earth's atmosphere by gases such as carbon dioxide, causing the planet to heat up.

emission

the release of a substance, especially gas or radiation, into the atmosphere from a vehicle, factory, or process.

fossil fuels

natural fuels such as coal, oil, and natural gas formed from ancient plant and animal remains over millions of years.

contaminate

to make water, soil, or air dirty or unsafe by introducing harmful substances.

atmospheric

relating to the atmosphere, the layer of gases that surrounds the earth.

toxicity

the degree to which a substance is poisonous or harmful to living things.

ecological

relating to the relationship between living organisms and their natural environment.

carbon footprint

the total amount of greenhouse gases produced by a person, organisation, or product.

renewable energy

energy from sources that are naturally replenished, such as solar, wind, or water power.

methane

a colourless, flammable greenhouse gas produced by livestock, landfills, and natural gas operations.

runoff

water from rain or melting snow that flows over land and carries pollutants into rivers and lakes.

habitat fragmentation

the breaking up of a large, continuous habitat into smaller, isolated patches that are harder for wildlife to use.

overfishing

the practice of catching fish faster than populations can naturally reproduce, leading to their decline.

tectonic

relating to the large plates of rock that make up the earth's crust and cause earthquakes and volcanoes when they move.

monoculture

the practice of growing a single crop species over a large area, which can damage soil and reduce biodiversity.

desalination

the process of removing salt from seawater to produce fresh water suitable for drinking or irrigation.

biofuel

fuel produced from organic materials such as plants or animal waste rather than fossil fuels.

sediment

tiny particles of rock, sand, or soil carried and deposited by water, wind, or ice.

ozone layer

a region of the earth's atmosphere that absorbs most of the harmful ultraviolet radiation from the sun.

invasive species

a plant or animal introduced to an area outside its natural range that spreads rapidly and harms native species.

degrade

to reduce the quality of a natural environment, making it less able to support wildlife or human use.

water table

the level below the earth's surface at which water is found in the ground.

particulate

a tiny piece of solid or liquid matter suspended in the air, often from burning fuel, that can harm health.

biodegradable

describing a substance that can be broken down naturally by bacteria or other organisms into harmless materials.

evaporation

the process by which liquid water turns into water vapour and rises into the atmosphere.

famine

a severe shortage of food affecting a large region, often caused by drought, conflict, or crop failure.

reservoir

a large natural or man-made lake used to store water for public supply or irrigation.

algae bloom

a rapid growth of algae in a body of water, often caused by excess nutrients, which depletes oxygen and harms wildlife.

subsidence

the gradual sinking of an area of land, often caused by the removal of groundwater or underground mining.

mitigate

to lessen the severity or harmful effects of something, especially a problem or risk.

arid

describing a climate or region with very little rain, making it dry and difficult for most plants to grow.

thermal

relating to heat, especially energy produced or stored as heat.

canopy

the upper layer of a forest formed by the tops of the tallest trees, which shades the ground below.