All flashcards
Flashcard 1: What infrastructure is often stressed by urbanization?
Answer: Transportation systems. Increased population density overwhelms existing capacity.
Flashcard 2: Which gas's concentration increases with urbanization?
Answer: Carbon dioxide (CO₂). Vehicles, industry, and reduced vegetation increase emissions.
Flashcard 3: What is a common source of urban air pollution?
Answer: Vehicle emissions. Cars and trucks release particulates and toxic gases.
Flashcard 4: How does urbanization affect carbon sequestration?
Answer: Reduces vegetation cover, lowering sequestration. Concrete replaces forests and grasslands that store carbon.
Flashcard 5: What is a negative effect of urban lighting?
Answer: Light pollution. Artificial illumination disrupts natural day-night cycles.
Flashcard 6: Identify a health impact associated with urbanization.
Answer: Increased respiratory problems. Poor air quality from emissions causes lung-related illnesses.
Flashcard 7: Identify a sustainable urban transport option.
Answer: Cycling infrastructure. Bike lanes reduce vehicle dependency and emissions.
Flashcard 8: How does urbanization affect local climate?
Answer: Creates microclimates. Buildings and surfaces alter temperature and wind patterns.
Flashcard 9: What is a common challenge in urban growth?
Answer: Infrastructure expansion. Rapid population growth strains roads, utilities, and services.
Flashcard 10: What is a major source of urban noise pollution?
Answer: Transportation systems. Cars, buses, and trains generate significant sound pollution.
Flashcard 11: Identify a benefit of urban green spaces.
Answer: Reduces urban heat effects. Trees and parks provide cooling through shade and evapotranspiration.
Flashcard 12: What social issue is often linked to urbanization?
Answer: Increased housing demand and shortages. Population growth outpaces housing construction capacity.
Flashcard 13: What role does vegetation play in urban areas?
Answer: Reduces air pollution and heat. Plants absorb pollutants and provide evaporative cooling.
Flashcard 14: How does urbanization impact water quality?
Answer: Increases pollution and runoff contamination. More impervious surfaces create contaminated stormwater runoff.
Flashcard 15: What factor increases the urban heat island effect?
Answer: Paved surfaces and buildings. Dark surfaces absorb solar radiation and reduce cooling winds.
Flashcard 16: Identify an urban policy to reduce emissions.
Answer: Enforcing emissions standards. Regulations limit vehicle and industrial pollution levels.
Flashcard 17: Identify an urban planning strategy to reduce pollution.
Answer: Promoting public transportation. Mass transit reduces individual vehicle emissions per person.
Flashcard 18: What is the impact of urbanization on public health?
Answer: Increases exposure to pollutants. Higher concentrations of air and water contaminants affect residents.
Flashcard 19: What environmental issue is exacerbated by urbanization?
Answer: Air pollution. Higher vehicle density and industrial activity increase emissions.
Flashcard 20: What is an urban heat island?
Answer: Urban area significantly warmer than its surroundings. Concrete and asphalt absorb and retain more heat than vegetation.
Flashcard 21: How does urbanization impact natural habitats?
Answer: Leads to habitat fragmentation. Development divides ecosystems into smaller, isolated patches.
Flashcard 22: What is the impact of urbanization on biodiversity?
Answer: Reduction in species diversity. Habitat loss and fragmentation reduce wildlife populations.
Flashcard 23: Identify an urban strategy to manage stormwater.
Answer: Constructing retention ponds. Artificial basins collect and slowly release excess rainfall.
Flashcard 24: What is urbanization?
Answer: The process of increasing population in urban areas. Driven by economic opportunities and better services in cities.
Flashcard 25: What is a common result of inadequate urban planning?
Answer: Traffic congestion. Insufficient roads and transit systems create vehicle bottlenecks.
Flashcard 26: What is a benefit of urban agriculture?
Answer: Improves food security. Local food production reduces transport costs and emissions.
Flashcard 27: Name a consequence of urban sprawl.
Answer: Loss of agricultural land. Cities expand outward, converting farmland to development.
Flashcard 28: How does urbanization affect local wildlife?
Answer: Displaces native species. Development destroys nesting sites and food sources.
Flashcard 29: What is a feature of sustainable urban design?
Answer: Mixed-use developments. Combines residential, commercial, and office spaces efficiently.
Flashcard 30: What effect does urbanization have on soil quality?
Answer: Decreases soil permeability. Compaction and sealing prevent water absorption and root growth.