Oceans on the Edge Flashcards
Aquaculture
Commercial fish farming.
Biodiversity
The number, and variety of living species in a specific area.
Bleaching
Degradation of coral reefs under conditions of increased acidity in sea water.
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 Niño
Usually occurs in the Pacific ocean every 3-7 years. Unusually warm ocean conditions off the west coast of Perucause climatic disturbances.
Estuaries
A river mouth that is wide, and experiences tidal conditions.
Eutophocation
The loss of oxygen in water after too much nutrient enrichment has taken place.
Extinction
The permenant loss of something, generally used with reference to species of plants, or animals.
Food web
An illustration of the grouping of animals, and plants found in an ecosystem, showing the sources of food for each organism.
Habitat
An animal, or plant’s natural home.
Mangrove swamp
A tidal swamp dominated by mangrove trees, and shrubs that can survive in the salty, and muddy conditions found along tropical coastlines.
Marine ecosystems
A web of organisms that live in the ocean, or a part of the 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 waterbefore they have had a 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.
