Environmental science vocabulary 1
what is abiotic
physical aspects of an ecosystem rather than biological; not derived from living organisms.
what is biotic
relating to or resulting from living things, especially in their ecological relations.
what is a consumer
Living creatures that eat organisms from a different population. AKA heterotrophs
what is a host
An organism on which a parasite feeds
what is Fukushima, Japan
This was the latest disaster at a nuclear power plant.
what is an ecosystem
All the biotic and abiotic factors in an area
what is an omnivore
an animal or person that eats food of both plant and animal origin.
what is a climate
the weather conditions prevailing in an area in general or over a long period.
what is a Climax community
The last stage in ecological succession give rise the this Community.
what is a herbivore
an animal that feeds on plants.
what is adaption
A body part or behavior that helps an organism meet its needs in its environment.
what is evaporation
the process of turning from liquid into vapor.
what is biome
a large naturally occurring community of flora and fauna occupying a major habitat, e.g. forest or tundra.
what is a carnivore
an animal that feeds on flesh.
what is a community
all the living things in a particular area
What are biomes
These are special types of ecosystems characterized by the flora and fauna
what is transpiration
The process by which plants lose water through their stomata of their leaves
what is carrying capacity
The cause for the S curve in logistical population growth.
What is recycling
what are exotic species
Zebra mussels, buckthorn, Asian Carp, and Sea Lamprey are examples.
what is terrestrial
Living on land as opposed to in water
what is eutrophication
The process by which oxygen levels in aquatic environments slowly decrease with time due to decomposition
what are developing countries
These countries are characterized by low GNP, a lack of safe drinking water and sanitation, and a lack of access to medical facilities and schools.
what is estuary
the tidal mouth of a large river, where the tide meets the stream.
what is nitrogen fixation
The process by which bacteria convert useless nitrogen gas into usable nitrogen compounds