I would like to dedicate this ABC book to my AP Environmental teacher, Mrs. Morley. She made learning fun and always had a positive outlook even when the class was not cooperative ;). Overall, I really enjoyed my experience in my AP Environmental class and I credit that to my amazing teacher.

is for Asbestos

Asbestos is a long, thin, fibrous silicate mineral with insulating properties, which can cause cancer when inhaled. In manufactured form, asbestos is relatively not dangerous until it is disturbed. When insulating materials become disturbed, their fine fibers can become airborne and enter the respiratory tract.

is for Biosphere

A biosphere is the region of our planet where the life resides. It is the combination of every ecosystem on Earth. It forms a 20 km (12 mile) thick layer around Earth between the deepest ocean bottom and highest mountain peak.

is for Composting

Composting is the creation of organic matter (humus) by decomposition under controlled conditions to produce an organic-rich material that enhances soil structure, cation exchange capacity, and fertility. Outdoor compost systems can be as simple as a pile of food and yard waste in the corner of a yard. Vegetables and vegetable by products are usually suitable for composting.

is for Disease

A disease is any impaired function of the body different types of diseases including infectious, acute, and chronic. Some specific diseases include the plague, malaria, tuberculosis, HIV/AIDS, Ebola, and mad cow disease.

is for Environmentalist

An Environmentalist is a person who participates in environmentalism, a social movement that seeks to protect the environment through lobbying, activism, and education. In contrast, an environmental scientist follows the process of observation, hypothesis testing, and field and laboratory research.

is for Fish Ladder

A fish ladder is a stair like structure that allows migrating fish to get around a dam. Fish ladders alleviate the obstacle of getting around dams so fish can breed easier. Migrating fish can swim up the fish ladders and reach their traditional breeding grounds.

is for Greenhouse Effect

The absorption of infrared radiation by atmospheric gases and reradiation of the energy back toward Earth. The greenhouse effect gets its name from the idea that solar radiation causes a gardener's greenhouse to become very warm. The greenhouse effect causes global warming.

is for Highway Trust Fund

A U.S. federal fund that pays for the construction and maintenance of roads and highways. This fund has enhanced zoning laws and subsidized mortgages.

is for Invasive Species

Invasive species spread rapidly across large areas. They can cause harmful effects on native species. Two of the best known invasive species are the Kudzu vine and the Zebra Mussel.

is for J-shaped Curve

A J-shaped curve is the exponential growth model when graphed. It represents the change in a growing population over time. As the population increases, there are more reproducing individuals, and the growth rate increases.

is for Keystone Species

A species that plays a far more important role in its community than its relative abundance might suggest. Without the keystone species, a community would fall apart. They typically exist in low numbers.

is for Levee

An enlarged bank built up on each side of a river. They prevent flooding. When floodwaters become too high, levees can eventually collapse.

is for Mulit-use zoning

A zoning classification that allows retail and high density residential development to coexist in the same area. Many communities are now attempting to incorporate multi use zoning. Most zoning in the U.S. continues to promote automobile-dependent development.

is for Native Species

Species that live in their historical range, typically where they have lived for thousands or millions of years. They specially adapt to live in their environment. A Zebra Mussel is one example.

is for Overnutrition

Ingestion of too many calories and a lack of balance of foods and nutrients. Over the past few decades this form of malnutrition has increased. With overnutrition, you are exposed to many diseases.

is for Prescribed Burn

A fire deliberately set under controlled conditions in order to reduce the accumulation of dead biomass on a forest floor. Prescribed burns is one method to reduce the accumulation of dead biomass. They help reduce the risk of uncontrolled natural fires.