Question

Define these biology words in one sentence each.
ecological footprint
alternative energy
species extinction
threatened species
endangered species
over exploitation
global extinction
population growth
invasive species
limiting factor
over harvesting
sustainability
deforestation
urbanization
habitat loss
biodiversity
heat island
population
pollution
ecosystem
community
landfill
recycle
abiotic
species
climate
reduce
biotic
biomes
reuse
hippo
niche
dump

Answer 1

ecological footprint: The total area of land and water required to produce the resources a person or population consumes and to absorb the wastes they generate given current technology.
alternative energy: Energy produced from sources that are renewable or have lower environmental impact than fossil fuels, such as solar, wind, geothermal, and hydroelectric power.
species extinction: The complete disappearance of all individuals of a species so it no longer exists anywhere on Earth.
threatened species: A species at risk of becoming endangered in the near future across all or a significant portion of its range.
endangered species: A species facing a very high risk of extinction in the wild in the near term.
over exploitation: The unsustainable use or harvesting of a resource or species at rates that exceed its ability to recover.
global extinction: The loss of a species worldwide, meaning it has disappeared from all of its former range.
population growth: The increase in the number of individuals in a population over time.
invasive species: A non-native organism that spreads widely in a new area and causes ecological, economic, or health harm.
limiting factor: An environmental condition or resource that restricts the size, distribution, or growth of a population.
over harvesting: The removal of renewable resources (like fish or timber) faster than they can replenish, leading to depletion.
sustainability: The practice of using resources and managing systems in ways that meet present needs without compromising future generations’ ability to meet theirs.
deforestation: The clearing or removal of forests, typically to convert land to agriculture, pasture, or development.
urbanization: The process by which populations shift from rural to urban areas, leading to city growth and land-use change.
habitat loss: The destruction, fragmentation, or degradation of the natural environment that species need to survive.
biodiversity: The variety of life at genetic, species, and ecosystem levels within a given area.
heat island: An urban area that is significantly warmer than surrounding rural areas due to human structures, pavement, and reduced vegetation.
population: A group of individuals of the same species living in the same geographic area at the same time.
pollution: The introduction of harmful substances or energy into the environment that degrades air, water, or soil quality.
ecosystem: A community of living organisms interacting with each other and with their physical (abiotic) environment.
community: All the different populations of organisms living and interacting in a particular area.
landfill: A designated site where solid waste is buried and managed, often with layers of cover and containment.
recycle: To collect and process used materials so they can be remade into new products, conserving resources and reducing waste.
abiotic: Nonliving physical and chemical components of an environment, such as temperature, water, light, and soil.
species: A group of organisms that are similar enough to interbreed and produce fertile offspring under natural conditions.
climate: The long-term average of weather conditions (temperature, precipitation, wind, etc.) in a region over decades.
reduce: To lower the amount or frequency of resource use or waste generation.
biotic: Living components of an ecosystem, including plants, animals, fungi, and microbes.
biomes: Large-scale regions of Earth characterized by similar climate, vegetation, and animal communities (e.g., tundra, rainforest).
reuse: To use an item again for the same or a different purpose without processing it into new raw materials.
hippo: HIPPO is an acronym for major drivers of biodiversity loss—Habitat destruction, Invasive species, Pollution, human Population growth, and Overharvesting.
niche: The role and set of environmental conditions and resources a species uses in an ecosystem, including its interactions with other species.
dump: A place where waste is deposited, often informally or without full regulation or treatment.