glossary list from blackboard

7/28/2019 Glossary List From Blackboard

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A

Abiotic Without life: any system characterized by a lack of living organisms

Absorption Incorporation of a substance into a solid or liquid body.Acid Any compound capable of reacting with a base to form a salt; a substance containing a high hydrogen ion concentration (low pH).

Acid Rain Precipitation containing a high concentration of acid.

Adaptation Adjustment of an organism to the conditions of it environment, enabling reproduction and survival.

Additive A substance added to another in order to impart or improve desirable properties or suppress undesirable ones.

Adsorption Surface retention of solid, liquid, or gas molecules, atoms, or ions by a sloid or liquid.

Aerobic Environmental conditions where oxygen is present; aerobic organisms require oxygen in order to survive.

Aerosols Tiny mineral particles in the atmosphere onto which water droplets, crystals, and other chemical compounds may adhere.

Air Quality Standard A prescribed level of a pollutant in the air that should not be exceeded.

Allergens Substances that activate the immune system and cause an alergic reaction.

Alocohol Fuels The processing of sugary or starchy products (such as sugar cane, corn, or potatoes) into fuel.

Alpha Particle A positively charged particle given off from the nucleus of some radioactive substances; it is identical to a helium atom that has lost its particles.

Ammonia A colorless gas comprised of one atom of nitrogen and three atoms of hydrogen; liquefied ammonia is used as a fertilizer.

Anthropocentric Considering humans to be the central or most important part of the universe.

Aquaculture Propagation and/or rearing of any aquatic organism in artificial "wetlands" and/or pools.

Aquifers Porous, water-saturated layers of sand, gravel, or bedrock that can yield significant amounts of water economically.

Atlantic conveyor belt The global recirculation of water masses in the Atlantic Ocean that determines today's climate for Europe

Atom The smallest particle of an element, composed of electrons moving around an inner core (nucleus) of protons and neutrons. Atoms

of elements combine

to form molecules and chemical compounds.

Atomic Reactor A structure fueled by radioactive materials that generates energy usually in the form of electricity; reactors are also

utilized for medical and biological

research.


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Autotrophs Organisms capable of using chemical elements in the synthesis of larger compounds; green plants are autotrophs.

Background Radiation The normal radioactivity present; coming principally from outer space and naturally occuring radioactive substances on Earth.

Bacteria One-celled microscopic organisms found in the air, water, and soil. Bacteria cause many diseases of plants and animals;they also are beneficial in agriculture, decay of dead matter, and food and chemical industries.

Benthos Organisms living on the bottom of bodies of water.

Biocentrism Belief that all creatures have rights and values and that humans are not superior to other species.

Biochemical Cycles The cylical series of transformations of an element through the organisms rather than chemical means.

Biochemical Oxygen Demand The oxygen utilized in meeting the metabolic needs of aquatic organisms.

(BOD)

Biodegradable Capable of being reduced to simple compounds through the action of biological processes.

Biodiversity Biological diversity in an environment as indicated by numbers of different species of animals and plants.

Biomass The weight of all living tissue in a sample.

Biome A major climax community type covering a specific area on earth.

BiosphereThe overall ecosystem of Earth. It consists of parts of the atmosphere (troposphere), hydrosphere (surface and ground water),and lithosphere (soil, surface rocks, ocean sediments, and other bodies of water).

Biota The flora and fauna in a given region.

Biotic Biological; relating to living elements of an ecosystem.

Biotic PotentialMaximum possible growth rate of living systems under idealconditions.

Birthrate Number of live births in one year per 1,00 midyear population.

Breeder Reactor A nuclear reactor in which the production of fissionable material occurs.

C

Cancer Invasive, out-of-control cell growth that results in malignant tumors.

Carbon Cycle Process by which carbon is incoprporated into living systems, released to the atmosphere, and returned to living organisms.

Carbon farmingCarbon farming is a proposed subsidy program that would pay farmers to adopt environmentally sensitive practices; specificallyto hold carbon on their land.

Carbon Monoxide (CO) A gas, poisonous to most living systems, formed when incomplete combustion of fuel occurs.
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Carcinogens Substances capable of producing cancer.

Carrying Capacity The population that an area will support without deteriorating.

CFL (compact fluorescentlight)

Small fluorescent lamps used as more efficient alternatives to incandescent lighting. Also called PL, CFL, Twin-Tube, or BIAXlamps.

Chlorinated HydrocarbonInsecticide

Synthetic organic poisons containing hydrogen, carbon, and chlorine.

Chlorofluorocarbons(CFCs)

Any of several simple gaseous compounds that contain carbon, chlorine, fluorine, sometimes hyrogen; they are suspected ofbeing a major cause of stratospheric ozone depletion.

Circle of Poisons Importation of food contaminated with pesticides banned for use in this country but made here and sold abroad.

Clear Cutting The process of removing all trees in any specific area.

Climate Description of the long-term pattern of weather in any particular area.

Climax Community Terminal state of ecological succession in an area; the redwoods are a climax community.

Coal Gasification Process of converting coal to gas; the resultant gas, if used for fuel, sharply reduces sulfur oxide.

Commensalism Symbiotic relationship between two different species in which one benefits while the other is neither harmed or benefited.

Community Ecology Study of interactins of all organisms existing in a specific region.

Competitive Exclusion Resulting from competition; one species forced out of part of an available habitat by a more efficient species.

Conservation The planned management of a natural resource to prevent overexploitation; destruction, or neglect.

Conventional PollutantsSeven substances (sulfur dioxide, carbon monoxide, hydrocarbons, nitrogen oxides, photochemical oxidants, and lead)thatmake up the largest volume of air quality degradation, as defined by the Clean Air Act.

Core Dense, intensely hot molten metal mass, thousands of kilometers in diameter, at Earth's center.

Cornucopian Theory The belief that nature is limitless in its abundance and that perpetual growth is both possible and essential.

Corridor Connecting strip of natural habitat that allows migration of organisms from one place to another.Crankcase Smog Devices(PCV System)

A system, used principally in automobiles, designed to prevent discharge of combustion emissions into the externalenvironment.

Critical Factor The environmental factor closest to a tolerance limit for a species at a specific time.

Cultural Eutrophication Increase in biological productivity and ecosystem succession resulting from human activities.

D

Death Rate Number of deaths in one year per 1,000 midyear population.

Decarbonization To remove carbon dioxide or carbonic acid from a substance.


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Decomposer Any organism that causes the decay of organic matter; bacteria and fungi are two examples.

Deforestation The action or process of clearing forests without adequate replanting.

Degradation (of waterresource)

Deterioration in water quality caused by contamination or pollution that makes water unsuitable for many purposes.

Demography The statistical study of principally human populations.

Desert An arid biome characterized by little rainfall, high daily temperatures, and low diversity of animal and plant life.

Desertification Converting arid or semiarid lands into deserts by inappropriate farming practices or overgrazing.

DetergentA synthetic soap-like material that emulsifies fats and oils and holds dirt in suspension; some detergents have caused pollutionproblems because of certain chemicals used in their formulation.

Detrivores Organisms that consume organic litter, debris, and duing.

DioxinAny of a family of compounds known chemically as dibenzo-p-dioxins. Concern about them arises from their potential toxicity ascontaminants in commercial products. Tests on laboratory animals indicate that it is one of the more toxic anthropogenic (manmade) compounds.

Diversity Number of species present in a community (species richness), as well as the relative abundance of each species.

DNA (DeoxyribonucleicAcid)

DNA contains two principle acids, the other bing RNA (Ribonucleic Acid). DNA contains information used for the control of aliving cell. Specific segments of DNA are now recognized as genes, those agents controlloing evolutionary and heriditaryprocesses.

Dominant Species Any species of plant or animal that is particularly abundant or controls a major portion of the energy flow in a community.

Drip IrrigationPipe or perforated tubing used to deliver water a drop at a time directly to soil around each plant. Conserves water and reducessoil waterlogging and salinization.

E

Ecological DensityThe number of a singular species in a geographical area, including the highest concentration points within the definedboundaries.

Ecology Study of the interrelationships between organisms and their environments.

Ecosystem The organisms of a specific area, together with their functionally related environments; considered as a definitive unit.

EcotourismWildlife tourism that could damage ecosystems and disrupt species if strict guidelines governing tours to sensitive areas are notenforced.

Edge Effects Change in ecological factors at the boundary between two ecosystems. some organisms flourish her; others are harmed.

Effluent A liquid discharged as waste.

Electron Small, negatively charged particle; normally found in orbit around the nucleus of an atom.


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El Nino Climatic change marked by shifting of a large warm water pool from the western Pacific Ocean toward the East.

Eminent DomainSuperior dominion exerted by a governmental state over all proerty within its boundaries that authorizes it to appropriate all orany part thereof to a necessary public use, with reasonable compensation being made.

Endangered Species Species considered to be in imminent danger of extinction.

Endemic Species Plants or animals that are native to a particular ecosystem.

Environment Physical and biological aspects of a specific area.

Environmental ImpactStatement (EIS)

A study of the probable environmental impact of a development project before federal funding is provided (required by theNational Environmental Policy Act of 1968).

Environmental ProtectionAgency (EPA)

Federal Agency responsible for control of air and water pollution, radiation and pesticide problems, ecological research, andsolid waste management.

Erosion Progressive destruction or impairment of a geographical area; wind and water are the principal agents involved.

Estuary Water passage where an ocean tide meets a river current.

Eutrophic Well nourished; refers to aquatic areas rich in dissolved nutrients.

Evolution A change in the gene frequency within a population, sometimes involving a visible change in the population's characteristics.

Exhaustible Resources Earth's geological endowment of minerals, nonmineral resources, fossil fuels, and other materials present in fixed amounts.

ExtinctionIrrevocable elimination of species due to either normal processes of the natural world or through changing environmentalconditions.

F

FallowCropland that is plowed but not replanted and is left idle in order to restore productivity mainly through water accumulation, weedcontrol, and buildup of soil nutrients.

Fauna The animal life of a specified area.

Feral Refers to animals or plants that have reverted to a non-cultivated or wild state.

Fission The splitting of an atom into smaller parts.

Floodplain Level land that may be submerged by floodwaters; a plain built up by a stream deposition.

Flora The plant life of an area.

Flyway Geographic migration route for birds that includes the breeding and wintering areas that it connects.

Food Additive Substance added to food usually to improve color, flavor, or shelf life.

Food ChainThe sequence of organisms in a community each of which uses the lower source as its energy supply. Green plants are theultimate basis for the entire sequence.


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Fossil Fuels Coal, oil, natural gas, and/or lignite; those fuels derived from former living systems; usually called nonrenewable fuels.

Fuel CellManufactured chemical systems capable of producing electrical energy; they usually derive their capabilities via complexreactions involving the sun as the driving energy source.

FusionThe formation of a heavier atomic complex brought about by the addiction of atomic nucclei; during the process there is an

attendant release of energy.G

Gala HypothesisTheory that Earth's biosphere is a living system whose complex interactions betweens its living organisms and nonlivingprocesses regulate environmental conditions over millions of years so that life continues.

Gamma Ray A ray given off by the nucleus of some radioactive elements. A form of energy similar to X rays.

Gene Unit of heredity; segment of DNA nucleus of the cell containing information for the synthesis of a specific protein.

Gene Banks Storage of seed varieties for future breeding experiments.

Genetic Diversity Infinite variation of possible genetic combinations among individuals; what enables a species to adapt to ecological change.

Geothermal EnergyHeat derived from the Earth's interior. It is the thermal energy contained in the rock and fluid (that fills the fractures and pores

within the rock) in the Earth's crust.

Germ Plasm Genetic material that may be preserved for future use (plant seeds, animal eggs, sperm, and embryos).

Global Warming

An increase in the near surface temperature of the Earth. Global warming has occured in the distant past as the result of naturalinfluences, but the term is most often used to refer to the warming redicted to occur as a result of increase emissions ofgreenhouse gases. Scientists generally agree that the Earth's surface has warmed by about 1 degree fahrenheit in the past 140years.

Greenhouse EffectThe effect noticed in greenhouses when shortwave solar radiation penetrates glass, is converted to longer wavelengths, and isblocked from escaping by the windows. It results in a temperature increase. Earth's atmosphee acts in a similar manner.

Green RevolutionThe great increase in production of food grains (as in rice and wheat) due to the introduction of high yielding varieties, the use ofpesticides, and to better management techniques.

Gross National Product(GNP)

The total value of the goods and services produced by the residents of a nation during a specified period (such as a year).

GroundwaterWater found in porous rock and soil below the soil moisture zone and, generally below the root zone of plants. Groundwater thatsaturates rock is seperated from an unsaturated zone by the water table.

H

Habitat The natural environment of a plant or nimal.

Habitat FragmentationProcess by which a natural habitat/landscape is broken up into small sections of natural ecosystems, isolated rom each other bysections of land dominated by human activities.
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Hazardous Waste Waste that poses a risk to human or ecological health and thus requires special disposal techniques.

Herbicide Any substance used to kill plants.

Heterotroph Organism that cannot synthesize its own food and must feed on organic compounds produced by other organisms.

Hydrocarbons Organic compounds containing hydrogen, oxygen, and carbon. Commonly found in petroleum, natural gas, and coal.

Hydrogen Lightest-known gas; major element found in all living systems.

Hydrogen Sulfide Compound of hydrogen and sulfur; a toxic air contaminant that smells like rotten eggs.

Hydropower Eletrical energy produced by flowing or falling water.

I

Infiltration Process of water percolation into soil and pores and hollows of permeable rocks.

Intangible Resources Open space, beauty, serenity, genius, information, diversity, and satisfaction are a few of these abstract commodities.

Integrated PestManagement (IPM)

Designed to avoid economic loss from pests, this program's methods of pest control strive to minimize the use ofenvironmentally hazardous, synthetic chemicals.

Invasive Refers to those species that have moved into an area and reproduced so aggressively that they have replaced some of thenative species.

Ion An atom or group of atoms, possessing a charge; brought about by the loss or gain of electrons.

Ionizing RadiationEnergy in the form of rays or particles that have the capacity to dislodge electrons and/or other atomic particles from matter thatis irradiated.

Irradiation Exposure to any form of radiation.

IsotopesTwo or more forms of an element having the same number of protons in the nucleus of each atom but different number ofneutrons.

K

Keystone Species Species that are essential to the functioning of many other organisms in an ecosystem.

Kilowatt Unit of power equal to 1,000 watts.

L

Leaching Dissolving out of soluble materials by water percolating through soil.

Limnologist Individual who studies the physical, chemical, and biological conditions of aquatic systems.

M

Malnutrition Faulty or inadequate nutrition.

Malthusian Theory The theory that populations tend to increase by geometric progression (1, 2, 4, 8, 16, etc.) while food supplies increase by
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arithmetic means (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, etc.).

Metabolism The chemical processes in living tissue through which energy is provided for continuation of the system.

meta-trends A change occurring over time which has many parts or facets; it indicates a transformation over time

Methane

Often called marsh gas (CH4); an oderless, flammable gas that is the major constituent of natural gas. In nature it develops from

decomposing organic matter.

Migration Periodic departure and return of organisms to and from a population area.

Monoculture Cultivation of a single crop, such as wheat or corn, to the exclusion of other land uses.

MutationChange in genetic material (gene) that determines species characteristics; can be caused by a number of agents, includingradiation and chemicals, called mutagens.

N

Natural SelectionThe agent of evolutionary change by which organisms possessing advantageous adaptions leave more offspring than thoselacking such adaptions.

Niche The unique occupation or way of life of a plant or animal species; where it lives and what it does in the community.

NitrateA salt of nitric acid. Nitrates are the major source of nitrogen for higher plants. sodium nitrate and potassium nitrate are used asfertilizers.

Nitrogen OxidesCommon air pollutants. Formed by the combination of nitrogen and oxygen; often the products of petroleum combustion inautomobiles.

Nonrenewable ResourcesAny natural resource that cannot be replaced, regenerated, or brought back to its original state once it has been extracted, forexample, coal or crude oil.

NutrientAny nutritive substance that an organism must take in from its environment because it cannot produce it as fast as it needs it or,more likely, at all.

O

Oil Shale Rock impregnated with oil. Regarded as a potential source of future petroleum products.

OligotrophicMost often refers to those lakes with a low concentration of organic matter. Usually contain considerable oxygen; Lakes Tahoeand Baikal are examples.

Organophosphates A large group of nonpersistent synthetic poisons used in the pesticide industry; include parathion and malathion.

Ozone Molecule of oxygen containing three oxygen atoms; shields much of Earth from ultraviolet radiation.

P

paleoclimatologyStudy of prehistoric climates: the study of prehistoric climates on a global or regional scale from evidence preserved in glacialdeposits, sedimentary structures, and fossils
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Particulate Existing in the form of small seperate particles; various atmospheric pollutants are industrially produced particulates.

Peroxyacyl Nitrates (PAN)Compound making up part of photochemical smog and the major plant toxicant of smog-type injury; levels as low as 0.01 ppmcan injure sensitive plants. Also causes eye irritation in people.

Pesticide Any material used to kill rats, mice, bacteria, fungi, or other pests of humans.

Pesticide Treadmill A situation in which the cost of using pesticides increases while the effectiveness decreases (because pest species developgenetic resistance to the pesticides).

Petrochemicals Chemicals derived from petroleum bases.

pHScale used to designate the degree of acidity or alkalinity; ranges from 1 to 14; a neutral solution has a pH of 7; low pHs are acidin nature, while pH above 7 are alkaline.

Phosphate A phosphorous compound; used in medicine and as fertilizers.

Photochemical Smog Type of air pollution; results from sunlight acting with hydrocarbons and oxides of nitrogen in the atmosphere.

PhotosynthesisFormation of carbohydrates from carbon dioxide and hydrogen in plants exposed to sunlight; involves a release of oxygenthrough the decomposition of water.

Photovoltaic Cells An energy-conversion device that captures solar energy and directly converts it to electrical current.

Physical Half-LifeTime required for half of the atoms of a radioactive substance present at some beginning to become disintegrated andtransformed.

Phytoplankton That portion of the plankton community comprised of tiny plants, e.g., algae, diatoms.

Pioneer Species Hardy species that are the first to colonize a site in the beginning stage of ecological succession.

Plankton Microscopic organisms that occupy the upper water layers in both freshwater and marine ecosystems.

Plutonium Highly toxic, heavy, radioactive, manmade, metallic element. Possesses a very long physical half-life.

Pollution The process of contaminating air, water, or soil with materials that reduce the quality of the medium.

pollution taxes taxes intended to promote ecologically sustainable activities via economic incentives by taxing for emission of pollutants

Polychlorinated Biphenyis(PCBs)

Poisonous compounds similar in chemical structure to DDT. PCBs are found in a wide variety of products ranging fromlubricants, waxes, asphalt, and transformers to inks and insecticides. Known to cause liver, kidney, spleen, and heart damage.

Population All members of a particular species occupying a specific area.

Predator Any organism that consumes all or part of another system; usually responsible for death of the prey.

Primary Production The energy accumulated and stored by plants through photosysnthesis.

R

RAD (Radiation AbsorbedDose)

Measurement unit relative to the amount of radiation absorbed by a particular target, biotic or abiotic.


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Radioactive Waste Any radioactive by-product of nuclear ractors or nuclear processes.

Radioactivity The emission of electrons, protons (atomic nuclei), and/or rays from elements capable of emitting radiation.

Rain Forest Forest with high humidity, small temperature range, and abundant precipitation; can be tropical or temperate.

Recycle To reuse; usually involves manufactured items, such as aluminum cans, being restructured after use and utlized again.

Red TidePopulation exlposion or bloom of minute single-celled marine organisms (dinoflagellates), which can accumulate in protectedbays and poison other marine life.

Renewable Resources Resources normally rplaced or replenished by natural processes; not depleted by moderate use.

resource capture powerful groups shift laws & property rights governing local resources in their favor in order to control valuable resources

Ripparian Water Right Legal right of an owner of land bordering a natural lake or stream to remove water from that aquatic system.

S

Salinization An accumulation of salts in the soil that could eventually make the soil too salty for the growth of plants.

Sanitary Landfill Land waste disposal site in which solid waste is spread, compacted, and covered.

Scrubber Antipollution system that uses liquid sprays in removing particulate pollutants from an airstream.

SedimentSoil particles moved from land into aquatic systems as a result of human activities or natural events, such as material depositedby water or wind.

Seepage Movement of water through soil.

Selection The process, either natural or artificial, of selecting or removing the best or less desirable members of a population.

Selective Breeding Process of selecting and breeding organisms containing traits considered most desirable.

Selective Harvesting Process of taking specific individuals from a population; the removal of trees in a specific age class would be an example.

Sewage Any waste material coming from domestic and industrial origins.

Smog A mixture of smoke and air; now applies to any type of air pollution.

Soil Erosion Detachment and movement of soil by the action of wind and moving water.

Solid Waste Unwanted solid materials usually resulting from industrial processes.

Species A population of morphologically similar organisms, capable of interbreeding and producing viable offspring.

Species DiversityThe number and relative abundance of species present in a community. An ecosystem is said to more diverse if species presenthave equal population sizes and less diverse if many species are rare and some are very common.

Strip Mining Mining in which Earth's surface is removed in order to obtain subsurface materials.

Strontium-90Radioactive isotope of stronium;it results from nuclear explosions and is dangerous, especially for vertebrates, because it istaken up in the construction of the bone.


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Succession Change in the structure and function of an ecosystem; replacement of one system with another through time.

Sulfuric Acid (H2 SO4) Very corrosive acid produced from sulphur dioxide and found as a component of acid rain.

Sulphur Dioxide (SO2) Gas produced by burning coal and as a by-product of smelting and other industrial processes. Very toxic to plants.

Sulphur Oxides (SOx) Oxides of sulphur produced by the burning of oils and coal that contain small amounts of sulphur. Common air pollutants.

sunshine policy the practice of naming and shaming of specific companies that don't follow or comply with environmental regulations

Sustainability Ability of an ecosystem to maintain ecological processes, functions, biodiversity, and productivity over time.

Sustainable Agriculture Agriculture that maintains the integrity of the soil and water resources so that it can continue indefinitely.

T

Technology Applied science; the application of knowledge for practical use.

Tetraethyl Lead Major source of lead found in living tissue; it is produced to reduce engine knock in automobiles.

Thermal InversionA layer of dense, cool air that is trapped under a layer of less dense warm air (prevents upward flowing air currents f romdeveloping).

Thermal Pollution Unwanted heat, the result of ejection of heat from various sources into the environment.

Thermocline The layer of water in a body of water that seperates an upper warm layer from a deeper, colder zone.

Threshold Efffect The situation in which no effect is noticed, physiologically or psychologically, until a certain layer of concentration is reached.

Tolerance Limit The point at which resistance to a poison or drug breaks down.

Total Fertility Rate (TFR) An estimate of the average number of children that would be born alive to a woman during her reproductive years.

Toxic Poisonous; capable of producing harm to a living system.

Tragedy of the Commons Degradation or depletion of a resource to which people have free and unmanaged access.

TrophicRelating to nutrition; often expressed in trophic pyramids in which organisms feeding on ther systems are said to be at a highertrophic level; an example would be carnivores feeding on herbivores, which, in turn, feed on vegetation.

Turbidity Usually refers to the amount of sediment suspended in an aquatic system.

U

Uranium 235An isotope of uranium that when bombarded with neutrons undergoes fission, resulting in radiation and energy. Used in atomicreactors for electrical generation.

Z

Zero Population Growth The condition of a population in which birthrates equal death rates; it results in no growth of the population.
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