Urbanization
What is the term for the movement of people from rural areas to cities?
Urbanization
What is urban sprawl?
The spread of urban development into rural areas.
Why is land preservation important?
To protect ecosystems and maintain biodiversity.
What is one type of pollution city residents often experience?
Air pollution or noise pollution
What is an ecological footprint?
The amount of land and resources a person or community uses.
What is a heat island?
An area that is significantly warmer than its surroundings due to human activities.
What is land cover?
The vegetation and structures that cover land.
What population percentage of the U.S. lived in urban areas in 1950?
About 65%
Name one factor that encourages urban sprawl.
Population growth or availability of land.
What is one benefit of having urban areas?
More land outside cities is left undeveloped.
How do urban areas typically handle waste disposal?
They often export waste to other areas.
Do urban residents typically have a larger ecological footprint than rural residents?
Yes
How do heat islands affect local weather?
They can produce more rain by creating rain clouds.
Give one example of land use.
Farming or residential development.
How many cities in the world have more than 10 million residents today?
33
What is one environmental impact of urban sprawl?
Loss of natural habitats or increased pollution.
What can cities do to help preserve natural habitats?
Implement green spaces or parks.
What is noise pollution?
Undesired background noise in urban areas.
What factor contributes to urban residents having larger ecological footprints?
Higher wealth levels.
What can cities do to reduce the heat island effect?
Plant shade trees or use reflective roofing materials.
How does land cover affect land use?
Certain land covers are suitable for specific land uses.
What major historical event contributed to the shift of people from farms to cities?
The industrial revolution
How does sprawl affect transportation?
It increases reliance on cars and can lead to traffic congestion.
What is an ecological service that natural land provides?
Water purification or air quality maintenance.
What is light pollution?
Excess artificial light that brightens the night sky.
What is one way cities can reduce their ecological footprint?
By promoting public transportation or recycling.
What is one cause of heat islands?
The prevalence of pavement and buildings absorbing heat.
What changes can occur to land cover as people settle in an area?
It can be replaced by urban development or agriculture.
What is the term for smaller towns or cities that surround a larger city?
Suburbs
What term describes areas that are developed for residential purposes far from city centers?
Exurban areas
How does urban density contribute to land preservation?
It reduces the spread of development into rural areas.
Which group often lives in more polluted areas of a city?
Disadvantaged or low-income residents.
Why is it important to consider a person’s ecological footprint?
To understand the environmental impact of lifestyles.
What temperature difference can heat islands cause compared to surrounding areas?
27–50°C (approximately 48–90°F) hotter.
What organization studies changes in land cover in the U.S.?
The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS).