Abiotic
Relating to non-living parts of an environment
Acid precipitation/rain
Precipitation containing an unusually high amount of hydrogen ions. Can be harmful to the environment
Adaptation
Characteristics that enable organisms to better survive and reproduce
Adaptive radiation
The development of a number of new species from a common ancestor
Algae
Any of various chiefly aquatic organisms, ranging in size from single-celled forms to the giant kelp. Lack true roots, stems, leaves, and embryos.
Annual precipitation
The amount of precipitation received in a year
Annual temperature
The average temperature of the year
Aquatic
Of or relating to water
Bacteria
A member of a large group of unicellular microorganisms lacking organelles and an organized nucleus
Bioaccumulation
The gradual buildup of synthetic and organic chemicals in living organisms
Biodegradation
The breaking down of dead organic matter by living organisms, such as bacteria.
Biodiversity
The variety of all living species of plants, animals and micro-organisms on Earth
Biomagnification
The process in which chemicals not only accumulate but become more concentrated at each trophic level
Biome
The largest division of the biosphere which includes large region with similar biotic and abiotic components
Biosphere
The thin layer of air, land, and water on and near Earth's surface in which all living things on Earth exist
Biotic
Relating to living organisms
carbon exchange
The combined processes, includes photosynthesis, decomposition, and respiration.
carbon sink
a body or process that removes carbon dioxide form the atmosphere
carbon store
A place where carbon is accumalated and stored
carbonate
A combination of carbon and oxygen that is dissolved in ocean water
carnivore
secondary consumers that eat primary consumers and often other secondary consumers
cellular respiration
the process in which both plants and animals release carbon dioxide back into the atmosphere by converting carbohydrates an oxygen into carbon dioxide and water
climate
the average conditions of the atmosphere in a large region for over 30 years
climatograph
a graph of climate data for a specific region
climax community
a mature community that continues to change over time
commensalism
a symbiotic relationship in which one species benefits and the other species is neither helped nor harmed
community
all the populations of the different species that interact in a specific area of ecosystem
competition
a harmful interaction between two or more organisms that can occur when organisms compete for the same resource
consumer
an organism that eats other organisms
DDT
an insecticide and well-known persistent organic pollutant
Decomposition
the breaking down of organic wastes and dead organisms
Deforestation
the clearing or logging of forests without replanting
Denitrification
the process in which nitrogen is returned to the atmosphere
Detrivore
consumers that feed at every trophic level, eating dead organisms to obtain nutrients
ecological hierarchy
the order of biotic interactions and relationships in an ecosystem
ecological pyramid
a food pyramid (pyramid of biomass, pyramid of energy, pyramid of numbers)
ecological succession
changes that take place over time in the types of organisms that live in an area
ecology
The branch of biology that deals with the relations of organisms to one another and to their physical surroundings.
Ecosystem
a part of a biome in which abiotic components interact with biotic components
Elevation
the height of a land mass above sea level
Estuary
The tidal mouth of a river, where the tide meets the stream.
Extinction
the dying out of a species
food chains
a model that shows the flow of energy from plant to animal to animal
food pyramids
a model that shows the loss of energy from one trophic level to another
food webs
a model of the feeding relationships within an ecosystem
foreign species
introduced species
fossil fuel
A natural fuel such as coal or gas, formed in the geological past from the remains of living organisms
Grazing
Grassland suitable for pasturage
Habitat
The place in which an organism lives
heavy metals
metallic elements with a high density that are toxic to organisms at low concentrations
herbivore
primary consumers that eat plants
host
a living animal or plant from which a parasite obtains nutrition.
keystone species
species that can greatly affect population numbers and the health of an ecosystem
Latitude
the distance measured in degrees north or south from the equator
Legumes
A pod, such as that of a pea or bean, that splits into two valves with the seeds attached to one edge of the valves
Lichen
A fungus that grows symbiotically with algae, resulting in a composite organism that characteristically forms a crustlike or branching growth on rocks or tree trunks.
Lightning
An abrupt, discontinuous natural electric discharge in the atmosphere.
Mutualism
a symbiotic relationship between two organisms in which both organisms benefit.
native species
plants and animals that naturally inhabit an area
natural selection
the process in which the best adapted members of a species will survive and reproduce
niche
the special role an organism plays in an ecosystem
nitrification
the process in which ammonium is converted into nitrate
nutrients
substances that are required by organisms for energy, growth, development and repair
Omnivore
consumers that eat both plants and animals
Parasitism
a symbiotic relationship in which one species benefits and another is harmed
PCBs
synthetic chemicals that persist in the environment
Pesticide
a general term for chemicals that are used to eliminate pests
pH
A measure of the acidity or basicity of a solution
phosphorus
essential for a variety of life processes in plants and animals
photosynthesis
a process in which carbon dioxide enters the leaves of plats and reacts with water in the presence of sunlight to produce carbohydrates and oxygen
phytoplankton
Plankton consisting of microscopic plants
pioneer species
organisms such as lichens and other plants that are the first to survive and reproduce in an area
predation
predator prey interaction in which one organism eats the other
producer
organisms that produce nutrients in the form of carbohydrates during photosynthesis
proliferation
Rapid reproduction of a cell, part, or organism
soil degradation
damage to soil
stability
stable, not easily shaken
symbiosis
the interaction between members of two different species
terrestrial
relating to the land
top consumer
the consumer and the top of the food chain
toxin
a poisonous substance
trophic levels
steps in a food chain that show feeding and niche relationships
zooplankton
Plankton consisting of small animals and the immature stages of larger animals