Hudson Raritan Estuary Flashcards
east river
actually a strait not a river
Zoogeographers
how did species get here
Hypoxy
Low oxygen
torito worm
clam that came here by boat
american shad
a herringlike fish that spends much of its life in the sea, typically entering rivers to spawn. It is an important food fish in many regions.
heron
a large fish-eating wading bird with long legs, a long S-shaped neck, and a long pointed bill.
ospreys
a large fish-eating hawk (Pandion haliaetus) with long wings that is dark brown above and mostly pure white below
perigin faulcon
One of the world’s fastest birds; in power-diving from great heights to strike prey, the Peregrine may possibly reach 200 miles per hour. Regarded by falconers and biologists alike as one of the noblest and most spectacular of all birds of prey. Although it is found on six continents, the Peregrine is uncommon in most areas; it was seriously endangered in the mid-20th century because of the effects of DDT and other persistent pesticides.
cormorants
a large diving bird with a long neck, long hooked bill, short legs, and mainly dark plumage. It typically breeds on coastal cliffs and is noted for its voracious appetite.
cordgrass (Spartina alterniflora)
Spartina alterniflora, the smooth cordgrass, saltmarsh cordgrass, or salt-water cord grass, is a perennial deciduous grass which is found in intertidal wetlands, especially estuarine salt marshes. a coarse wiry coastal grass that is sometimes used to stabilize mudflats.
Jamaica Bay
inlet of the Atlantic bordered by Brooklyn and Queens in southwestern Long Island, southeastern New York state
sardonic
disdainfully or skeptically humorous : derisively mocking a sardonic comment
sarcastic, satiric, ironic, sardonic mean marked by bitterness and a power or will to cut or sting. sarcastic implies an intentional inflicting of pain by deriding, taunting, or ridiculing. ⟨a critic known for his sarcastic remarks⟩ satiric implies that the intent of the ridiculing is censure and reprobation. ⟨a satiric look at contemporary society⟩ ironic implies an attempt to be amusing or provocative by saying usually the opposite of what is meant. ⟨made the ironic observation that the government could always be trusted⟩ sardonic implies scorn, mockery, or derision that is manifested by either verbal or facial expression. ⟨surveyed the scene with a sardonic smile⟩
glaciated
covered or having been covered by glaciers or ice sheets: a glaciated valley.
falconry
the sport of hunting with falcons or other birds of prey; the keeping and training of such birds.
deciduous
(of a tree or shrub) shedding its leaves annually. Often contrasted with evergree
