7. Oceans on the Edge Flashcards
Aquaculture
Commercial fish farming
Biodiversity
The number and variety of living species found in a specific area
Bleaching
Degradation of coral reefs under conditions of increased acidity in sea water (due to warming)
Climate Change
Long term changes in temperature and precipitation
Continental Shelf
The submerged edge of a continental land mass
Coral Reef
A hard stony ridge, just above or below the surface of the sea. Formed by the external skeletons of millions of tiny creatures called polyps.
El Nino
Usually occurs in the Pacific Ocean every 3 to 7 years. Unusually warm ocean conditions off the western coasts of Peru cause climatic disturbances
A river mouth that is wide and experiences tidal conditions
Estuaries
The loss of oxygen in water after too much nutrient enrichment has taken place
Eutrophication
The permanent loss of something, generally used with reference to species of plants or animals
Extinction
An illustration of the grouping of animals and plants found in an ecosystem, showing the sources of food for each organism
Food web
An animal or plant’s natural home
Habitat
A tidal swamp dominated by mangrove trees and shrubs that can survive in the salty and muddy conditions, found along tropical coastlines
Mangrove Swamp
Marine ecosystems
A web of organisms that live in the ocean or a part of an ocean
Nutrient cycling
A set of processes whereby organisms extract minerals necessary for growth from soil or water, before passing them on through the food chain and ultimately back to the soil and water
Overfishing
Taking too many fish from the water before they have had chance to reproduce and replenish the stocks for the next generation
Pollution
The presence of harmful substances which can have poisonous effects on the environment
Run-off
Water that flows directly over the land towards rivers or the sea after heavy rainfall
Sea level rise
The increase in the level of the sea, relative to the land
Siltation
The deposition of silt (sediment) in rivers and harbours
