Ecology Vocabulary Flashcards
abiotic factor
definition: a nonliving part of an ecosystem
context: Water is an abiotic factor in an ecosystem.
adapt
definition: to change because of a certain situation in the environment
context: Dinosaurs were not able to adapt to changes in their environment.
adaptation
definition: a characteristic that enables a living thing to survive in its environment
context: Chameleons change color; this is a protective adaptation.
biosphere
definition: the part of the earth that supports life
context: The biosphere extends up into the atmosphere and deep down to the ocean floor.
biotic factor
definition: a living part of the ecosystem
context: Animals that fill the niche of predator and prey are examples of biotic factors that affect an ecosystem.
camouflage
definition: an adaptation in which an animal protects itself against predators by blending in with the environment
context: Camouflage helps some caterpillars look like twigs.
climax community
definition: the final stage of succession in an area
context: The forest was considered a climax community because it had reached the final stage of succession.
commensalism
definition: a relationship between two kinds of organisms that benefits one without harming the other
context: The relationship between a Monarch butterfly and a milkweed is an example of commensalism.
community
definition: the living things in an ecosystem
context: The various populations of living things in an ecosystem form a community.
diversity
definition: a wide variety of traits in individuals from the same population
context: When members of a species have differences, this is called diversity.
ecological succession
definition: the gradual replacement of one community by another
context: The ecological succession of the grassland to a deciduous forest took hundreds of years.
ecology
definition: the study of how living and nonliving things interact
context: The students studied the ecology of the river.
ecosystem
definition: the interaction of all the living and nonliving things in an environment
context: The forest ecosystem was damaged by the fire.
energy pyramid
definition: a diagram of the loss of useful energy at each level in the food chain
context: Using the energy pyramid, the student studied the loss of energy in the food chain.
limiting factor
definition: a part of the environment that controls the growth or survival of a population
context: When a population becomes too large, food becomes a limiting factor.
mimicry
definition: an adaptation in which an animal is protected against predators by its resemblance to another, unpleasant animal
context: The resemblance of the Viceroy butterfly to the Monarch butterfly is an example of mimicry.
mutualism
definition: a relationship between two kinds of organisms that benefits both
context: Flowers and their pollinators are a common form of mutualism.
organism
definition: a living thing
context: Many organisms live together in a community.
parasitism
definition: a relationship in which one organism lives in or on another organism and benefits from that relationship while the other organism may be harmed by it
context: A tick attached to a dog is an example of parasitism.
pioneer community
definition: the first organisms to live in a once lifeless area
context: In a newly formed volcanic island, the pioneer community is made up of bacteria, fungi, and algae.
pioneer species
definition: the first species living in an otherwise lifeless area
context: Mosses and lichens are pioneer species.
population
definition: the members of one species in an area
context: The deer living in a pine forest are members of a population.
symbiosis
definition: a relationship between two kinds of organisms that lasts over time
context: The Nile crocodile opening its mouth to permit the Egyptian plover to feed on any leeches attached to its gums is an example of symbiosis.
aquifer
definition: an underground body of water
context: Sixty-five percent of the water used to grow crops comes from underground aquifers.
chemical weathering
definition: the wearing away of rock by oxidation or dissolving by acid
context: Chemical weathering in caves causes stalactites and stalagmites.
crystal
definition: solids composed of atoms arranged in an orderly pattern
context: Minerals possess one of six crystal shapes.
earthquake
definition: the movement of the earth’s surface caused by waves of energy released as rocks move along faults in the crust
context: An earthquake can cause buildings to collapse.
epicenter
definition: the spot on the earth’s surface that is above the focus of an earthquake
context: The earthquake is strongest at its epicenter directly above the focus where the earthquake occurred.
erosion
definition: the wearing away of the earth’s surface by wind, water, ice, or gravity
context: Planting trees and grasses slows erosion.
fault
definition: a crack in the earth’s crust where rocks rub against each other, releasing energy waves during an earthquake
context: Earthquakes occur around a fault.
fold
definition: a bend in a layer of rock caused by stress deep in the earth
context: When rocks are under stress, they may fracture, fault, or fold.
fossil
definition: the remains of ancient, once-living organisms preserved in rock
context: Fossils contain clues to the past.
fracture
definition: the tendency of a mineral or rock to break in a certain shape
context: Some minerals fracture with rough or jagged edges.
freshwater
definition: the water that is not salt water
context: Three percent of earth’s water is freshwater.
groundwater
definition: the water beneath the surface of the earth between saturated soil and rock that supplies wells or springs
context: Groundwater spread around the planet represents less than one percent of Earth’s total water supply.
igneous rock
definition: the rocks formed by the crystallization of magma
context: Igneous rocks, like obsidian, form when magma cools.
mechanical weathering
definition: the physical forces that break rock
context: Mechanical weathering can be seen when expanding ice breaks a rock into smaller pieces.
metamorphic rock
definition: the rocks formed when sedimentary or igneous rocks undergo a change due to pressure or heat in the earth
context: Metamorphic rocks are found deep in the earth.
mineral
definition: a solid, inorganic crystalline substance with a definite chemical composition
context: All minerals share five characteristics.
Mohs’ scale
definition: a list of minerals of varying hardness
context: The hardness of the mineral topaz can be measured using the Mohs’ scale.
Pangaea
definition: the name of the landmass believed to have broken up into today’s continents
context: Scientists think that the continents were once joined together in one supercontinent, Pangaea.
Richter scale
definition: a scale used to describe how much energy is released by an earthquake
context: In 1923, an earthquake measuring 8.3 on the Richter scale occurred in Tokyo, Japan.
rock cycle
definition: an explanation of how rocks change in a continuous cycle from igneous, to sedimentary, to metamorphic
context: A diagram is used to explain the rock cycle.
sedimentary rock
definition: the rocks formed from sediments (sand, clay, and other materials that settle in water)
context: Sandstone is an example of a sedimentary rock.
seismograph
definition: an instrument that records earthquake waves
context: Seismologists use seismographs to determine an earthquake’s magnitude.
soil
definition: a mixture of crushed rock and pieces of organic material from plants and animals
context: Fertile soil helps plants grow.
tectonic plates
definition: the pieces that compose the surface of the earth
context: The crust has fractured into seven major tectonic plates that sometimes collide and grind past each other.
tsunami
definition: a large ocean wave, reaching up to 30 meters, caused by an underwater earthquake or landslide
context: The United States developed the Tsunami Warning System in 1948.
volcano
definition: a place in the earth’s surface where hot magma is forced up, forming a mountain that erupts and builds upward
context: Hawaii’s Kilauea volcano is an active volcano.
abyssal plain
definition: a flat part of the ocean floor
context: The abyssal plain is the flat part of the ocean floor.
Aqua-Lung
definition: an air tank worn by a diver
context: The Aqua-Lung allowed the diver to explore the coral reef.
breaker
definition: a wave in which the crest has tumbled forward
context: The breaker tumbled toward the shore.
continental shelf
definition: the part of the ocean bottom near land
context: The continental shelf is the shallowest part of the ocean.
continental slope
definition: the part of the ocean bottom where the continental shelf plunges downward sharply
context: The continental slope plunges to the ocean floor.
coral reef
definition: a large underwater formation created from the skeletons of colonies of tiny coral animals
context: Coral reefs shelter the land from harsh ocean storms and floods, provide resources for fisheries, and attract millions of tourists every year.
currents
definition: the movement of water in a certain direction
context: Underwater currents of the ocean are caused by the sun heating the ocean water.
desalination
definition: the removal of salt from ocean water
context: Key West, Florida, has a desalination plant to help provide the area with fresh water.
echo sounder
definition: a device that uses sonar (sound waves) to measure the depth of surface water bodies
context: Scientists used an echo sounder to map the ocean floor.
marine
definition: relating to the ocean
context: A marine biologist is interested in ocean food chains.
mid-ocean ridge
definition: a mountain chain on the ocean floor
context: A mid-ocean ridge runs through every ocean on the earth.
ocean
definition: the salt water covering approximately 75 percent of the earth’s surface
context: Shorelines are constantly changing because of the ocean’s waves, tides, and currents.
ocean floor
definition: the part of the ocean that lies at the bottom of the continental slope
context: Undiscovered life forms live on the ocean floor.
plankton
definition: the tiny plants and animals living on the ocean surface that can not be seen with the naked eye
context: Some whales eat plankton.
prevailing winds
definition: the winds that blow mostly from one direction
context: Prevailing winds effect the surface currents of the oceans.
saline
definition: a saltwater solution
context: Anyone who has accidentally swallowed ocean water knows that it is salty, or saline.
sand
definition: rock and mineral particles smaller than 2 mm in diameter
context: Ocean shorelines are made of sand.
sand dune
definition: a hill of sand built up by wind
context: Some of the world’s largest sand dunes are located along the Oregon coast.
shoreline
definition: the land along the edge of the ocean water
context: Canada’s shoreline is the longest in the world because the country borders the ocean for thousands of miles.
sonar
definition: a method of detecting objects using sound waves
context: With the invention of sonar equipment, the deepest areas of the ocean have been mapped.
submarine canyon
definition: a groove cut in the continental shelf and slope
context: A submarine canyon is formed when sediment slides down the continental shelf and slope, making a deep groove.
tide
definition: the rise and fall of ocean water
context: The ocean tides are caused by the gravitational pull of the moon on the earth.
trade winds
definition: the winds that blow from east to west toward the equator
context: Ships heading west try to sail in the area where the trade winds blow.
trench
definition: a deep ocean valley
context: A trench is one of the deepest places in the ocean.
tsunami
definition: a large ocean wave, reaching up to 30 meters, caused by an underwater earthquake or landslide
context: The tsunami wiped out several villages along the coast.
wave
definition: the rise and fall movement of ocean water
context: Forces such as the wind, earthquakes, and ships traveling on the ocean can cause a wave.
westerlies
definition: the winds that blow from west to east away from the equator
context: In the United States, storms move from west to east because of the westerlies.
air mass
definition: a large region of the atmosphere where the air has similar temperature and humidity throughout
context: Weather is affected by six major air masses.
air pressure
definition: the weight of air
context: Air pressure is also known as atmospheric pressure.
atmosphere
definition: the blanket of gases that surrounds Earth
context: The sun and its interaction with earth’s atmosphere is the driving force for our weather.
climate
definition: the average weather pattern of a region
context: Polar, temperate, and tropical are the earth’s three climate zones.
convection current
definition: a current’s movement in fluids caused by heat
context: Convection currents carry heat energy in churning cells of moving air.
Coriolis effect
definition: the deflection of winds caused by the rotation of the earth on its axis
context: The Coriolis effect, along with the flow of air caused by differences in heating, causes distinct wind patterns.
dew point
definition: the temperature at which the moisture in the air begins or would begin to condense
context: Warm air can hold more water, so the humidity must be higher during warm weather to reach the dew point.
El Niño
definition: a change in climate that occurs when trade winds weaken west of Peru and whose effects can be felt worldwide
context: During El Niño, water temperature rises, increasing the chances of stormy weather.
forecast
definition: a prediction about future weather based on meteorological observations
context: Weather satellites help meteorologists forecast weather.
front
definition: a boundary between air masses with different temperatures
context: A front is where active weather occurs.
global warming
definition: the rise in the earth’s temperatures due to an increased greenhouse effect
context: An increase in greenhouse gases is one reason for
global warming.
greenhouse effect
definition: the natural heating caused by atmospheric gases trapping heat at the earth’s surface
context: Without the greenhouse effect, Earth would be cold and lifeless.
humidity
definition: the moisture in the air
context: Meteorologists read relative humidity with a psychrometer.
hurricane
definition: a tropical cyclone with wind speeds of at least 74 mph or more
context: Hurricanes are powerful storms formed over warm water.
hydrologic cycle
definition: the exchange of water between land, bodies of water, and the atmosphere; also known as the water cycle
context: Hydrologic cycle is another name for water cycle.
insolation
definition: the radiant energy from the sun received by the earth
context: Insolation is affected by the angle at which the sun’s rays strike the earth.
jet stream
definition: the narrow wind belts found near the top of the troposphere
context: Jet streams have a major effect on our weather.
latent heat
definition: the energy stored when evaporation turns a liquid into a gas
context: During condensation, latent heat is released.
meteorology
definition: the study of weather
context: Meteorology deals with understanding the forces and causes of weather.
radiation
definition: the transfer of energy by electromagnetic waves
context: The sun’s radiation causes water to change into water vapor.
relative humidity
definition: the amount of moisture in a given amount of air relative to what could be contained if the given amount of air were completely saturated
context: It it important to know the relative humidity when watching for precipitation.
saturated
definition: the point where no more liquid can be absorbed, dissolved, or retained
context: Air saturated with water vapor has a relative humidity of 100 percent.
thunderstorm
definition: a weather condition where lightning and thunder are present
context: Thunderstorms form inside warm, moist air masses and at fronts.
tornado
definition: a violent, whirling wind that moves across the ground in a narrow path
context: A tornado forms in low cumulonimbus clouds.
weather
definition: the conditions of the lower atmosphere from day to day at any given place and time
context: Because it holds a layer of gases, or atmosphere, close around itself, Earth experiences weather.
