E Flashcards
Earth system model
A computer model of the earths climate system, including some or all of its biotic and abiotic components.
Ecosystem
A set of organisms and abiotic components that are linked by the process of energy transfer and material cycling.
Ecosystem demography
An approach to terrestrial ecosystem modelling that represents the size and age structure of populations by dividing plant functional pops into subclasses.
Eco toxicology
Scientific study of the direct effect on ecosystems of xenobiotic chemicals.
Ectomychorrhiza
Symbiotic associate between fungi and tree roots in temperate zones, characterised by presence of fungal sheeth. Usually no intra-cellular structures.
Emergent properties
Properties that arise of emerge from the operation or behaviour of a system that cannot be inferred from the properties of the system components.
Emerging infectious disease
A human disease that has become more common in recent years.
Empirical
Based on experiments, observation or experience rather than on theory or pure logic.
Empirical model
A model based on data from observation or experience.
Endomychorriza
Symbiotic association between fungi and plant roots, characterised by the absence of a fungal sheeth, but by the presence of intra-cellular hyphal structures such as vesicles, coils and arbscules.
Endophytes
Fungi or plants that live inside other plants, whether parasitically or not.
Environmental toxicology
Scientific study of the direct effect on people of xenobiotic chemicals.
Epicormic growth
Trees such as cork oak and some Australian eucalypts sprout rapidly after fire because dormant buds protected by bark are stimulated to grow by loss of foliage.
Epigaelic
Surface living organisms, such as spiders, ants and centipedes.
Equilibrium
A population or ecosystem is at equiblium when pop size or components of the ecosystem remain the same from year to year.
Equilibrium process
A mechanism of population regulation in which pop size is maintained around an equilibrium by the availability of resources or the actions on competitors and predators.
Ericoid mycorrhiza ERM
Endomychorrizas involving plants of the family Ericacease, heathers and bilberries; fungi forms a loose network of hyphae on the root surface and dense fungal complexities in the root cells.
Eutrophic
A body of water with high nutrient inputs
Eutrophication
Process where water bodies are made more eutrophic from an increase in nutrient supply.
Evapotranspiration
The combined rate or transpiration from veg with evaporation from other surfaces, such as open water or damp soil.
Excess water
The quantity of precipitation falling over a defined period that is above the potential ET occurring during the same period. The water balance (P-E) is positive.
Ectoenzymes
Enzymes that are secreted from cells so they act in substrates external to the plasma membrane.
External load
Nutrient inputs to aquatic ecosystems, mainly from groundwater, fluvial and atmosphere sources.
Extremophiles
Organisms, commonly microorganisms, that live in extreme environments.
