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Society portal. v. t. e. Human impact on the environment (or anthropogenic environmental impact) refers to changes to biophysical environments [ 1 ] and to ecosystems, biodiversity, and natural resources [ 2 ] caused directly or indirectly by humans. Modifying the environment to fit the needs of society (as in the built environment) is causing ...
The ecological footprint measures human demand on natural capital, i.e. the quantity of nature it takes to support people and their economies. [ 1][ 2][ 3] It tracks human demand on nature through an ecological accounting system. The accounts contrast the biologically productive area people use to satisfy their consumption to the biologically ...
Carrying capacity is applied to the maximum population an environment can support in ecology, agriculture and fisheries. The term carrying capacity has been applied to a few different processes in the past before finally being applied to population limits in the 1950s. [ 1] The notion of carrying capacity for humans is covered by the notion of ...
Sustainable development is an approach to growth and human development that aims to meet the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. [ 1][ 2] The aim is to have a society where living conditions and resources meet human needs without undermining planetary integrity. [ 3][ 4 ...
e. An ecosystem (or ecological system) is a system that environments and their organisms form through their interaction. [ 2]: 458 The biotic and abiotic components are linked together through nutrient cycles and energy flows. Ecosystems are controlled by external and internal factors. External factors such as climate, parent material which ...
Genetics is the study of genes, genetic variation, and heredity in organisms. [ 1][ 2][ 3] It is an important branch in biology because heredity is vital to organisms' evolution. Gregor Mendel, a Moravian Augustinian friar working in the 19th century in Brno, was the first to study genetics scientifically.
Environmental protection. Environmental protection is the practice of protecting the natural environment by individuals, groups and governments. [ 1] Its objectives are to conserve natural resources and the existing natural environment and, where it is possible, to repair damage and reverse trends. [ 2]
The IPCC defines climate change adaptation in this way: "In human systems, as the process of adjustment to actual or expected climate and its effects in order to moderate harm or take advantage of beneficial opportunities." [ 8]: 5. "In natural systems, adaptation is the process of adjustment to actual climate and its effects; human ...