Interactive Glossary

abiotic factors -- Nonliving components of the ecosystem, including chemical

and physical factors such as nitrogen, temperature, and rainfall.
adaptation -- A genetically determined structural, functional, or behavioral
characteristic of an organism that enhances its chances of reproducing and
passing on its genes.
asbestosis -- Lung disease characterized by buildup of scar tissue in the lungs.
Caused by inhalation of asbestos.
biodegradable -- Material that can be broken down by naturally occurring
organisms such as bacteria in air, water, and soil.
biological community -- An
microorganisms.

assemblage

of

plants,

animals,

and

biogeochemical cycle -- Complex cyclical transfer of nutrients from the

environment to organisms and back to the environment. Examples include the
carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus cycles. Also known as nutrient cycle.
biomass -- As measured by ecologists, the dried weight of all organic matter in
the ecosystem. In the energy field, any form or organic material (from both
plants and animals) from which energy can be derived by burning of by
bioconversion, such as fermentation. Includes wood, cow dung, agricultural crop
residues, forestry residues, scrap paper.
biomass pyramid -- Graphical representation of the amount of biomass (organic
matter) at each trophic level in an ecosystem).
biome -- One of several immense terrestrial regions, each characterized
throughout its extent by similar plants, animals, climate, and soil type.
buffer zone -- Region around a protected area in which limited human activity
is permitted.
Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) -- Organic molecules consisting of chlorine and
fluorine covalently bonded to carbon. Freon-11 and Freon-12 are common
forms. Used as spray can propellants and coolants. Previously thought to be
inert, but now known to destroy the stratospheric ozone layer.
closed system -- A system that can exchange energy, but does not exchange
matter, with the surrounding environment. Example: the Earth.
coevolution -- Process whereby two species evolve adaptations as a result of
extensive interactions with each other.

coliform bacterium -- Common bacterium found in the intestinal tracts of

humans and other species. Used in water quality analysis to determine the extent
of fecal contamination.
composting -- Aerobic decay of organic matter to generate a humus-like
substance used to supplement soil.
conservation biology -- Study of restoring ecosystems to their natural state after
human interference. Also called restoration ecology.
decibel (dB) -- A unit to measure the loudness of sound.
desertification -- The formation of desert in arid and semi-arid regions from
overgrazing, deforestation, poor agricultural practices and climate change,
Found today in Africa, the Middle East, and the southwestern United States.
dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT) -- A organ-chlorine insecticide used
first to control malaria-carrying mosquitoes and lice and later to control a variety
of insect pests, but now banned in the United States because of its persistence in
the environment and its ability to bio-accumulate.
ecology -- Study of living organisms and their relationships to one another and
the environment.
ecological system -- Also known as ecosystem. A community of organisms
occupying a given region within a biome. Also, the physical and chemical
environment of that community and all the interactions among organisms and
between organisms and their environment.
ecosystem -- A community of organisms occupying a given region within a
biome. Also, the physical and chemical environment of that community and all
the interactions among organisms and between organisms and their
environment.
ecosystem management -- A new approach to managing human and natural
landscapes. Attempts to protect entire watersheds and biological communities,
rather than small isolated parcels or individual species, and considers a wide
range of factors, including abiotic and biotic factors of the environment.
environmental resistance -- Abiotic and biotic factors that can potentially
reduce population size.
Environmental Impact Statement -- Document prepared primarily to outline
potential impacts of projects supported in part or in their entirety by federal
funds.

food chain -- A specific nutrient and energy pathway in an ecosystem,

proceeding from producer to consumer. Part of a bigger network called the food
web.
green product -- General term referring to environmentally friendly products.
They may be made from recycled materials or may be fully recyclable. They
may be reusable or nontoxic or may help promote efficient use of resources.
global climate change -- Change in the Earth`s climate caused by greenhouse
gases.
global warming -- Warming of the Earth`s atmosphere caused by the build-up
of greenhouse gases.
greenhouse effect -- Mechanism that explains atmospheric heating caused by
increasing carbon dioxide. Carbon dioxide is believed to act like the glass in a
greenhouse, permitting visible light to penetrate but impeding the escape of
infrared radiation, or heat.
greenhouse gas -- Any of several naturally occurring or anthropogenic gases
that trap heat escaping from the Earth`s surface, causing the atmosphere to heat
up.
hazardous waste -- Any potentially harmful solid, liquid, or gaseous waste
product of manufacturing or other human activities.
indoor air pollutants -- Generally refers to air pollutants in homes from internal
sources such as smokers, fireplaces, woodstoves, carpets, paneling, furniture,
foam insulation, and cooking stoves.
municipal solid waste -- Refers to garbage from homes and businesses in cities
and towns. Typically contains high percentage of recyclable and compostable
materials.
natural erosion -- Loss of soil occurring at a slow rate, but not caused by
human activities. A natural event in all terrestrial ecosystems.
natural hazards -- Dangers that result from normal meteorlogic, atmospheric,
oceanic, biological, and geological phenomena.
nonpoint source -- Diffuse source of pollution such as an eroding farm field,
urban and suburban lands, and forests.
nonrenewable resource resource that is not replaced or regenerated naturally
within a reasonable period (fossil fuel, mineral).
organic fertilizer -- Material such as plant and animal wastes added to cropland
and pastures to improve soil. Provides valuable soil nutrients and increases the
organic content of soil (thus increasing moisture content).

overpopulation -- A condition resulting when the number of organisms in an

ecosystem exceeds its ability to assimilate wastes and provide resources. Creates
physical and mental stress on a species as a result of competition for limited
resources and deterioration of the environment.
overshoot -- The phenomenon occurring when a population of organisms
exceeds the carrying capacity of its environment.
pesticide -- A general term referring to a chemical agent that kills organisms we
classify as pests, such as insects and rodents. Also called biocide.
pH -- Measure of acidity on a scale from 0 to 14, with 7 being neutral, numbers
greater than 7 being basic, and numbers less than 7 being acidic.
point source -- Easily discernible source of pollution, such as a factory.
pollution prevention -- Any one of several methods to reduce pollution
production, such as process modification and substitution.
primary pollutant -- Pollutant produced by combustion or other sources. Can
be chemically modified after release.
recycling -- A strategy to reduce resource use by returning used or waste
materials from the consumption phase to the production phase of the economy.
renewable resource -- Resource that is replaced through natural ecological
cycles water, plants, animals) or through natural chemical or physical processes
(sunlight, wind).
replacement-level fertility -- Number of children a couple must have to replace
themselves in the population.
salinization -- Deposition of salts in irrigated soils, making soil unfit for most
crops. Caused by rising water table due to inadequate draining of irrigated soils.
selective advantage -- An advantage one member of a species has over others
by virtue of some adaptation it has acquired.
sanitary landfill -- Solid waste disposal site where garbage is dumped and
covered daily with a layer of dirt to reduce odors, insects, and rats.
secured landfill -- One lined by clay and synthetic liners in an effort to prevent
leakage.
smog -- Originally referred to a grayish haze (combination of smoke and fog)
found in industrial cities.
sustainable development -- Economic development that meets current needs
without compromising ability of future generations to meet their needs. Relies

on appropriate technology, efficient use of resources, recycling, renewable

resource use, restoration, growth management, and other measures.
sustainable ethics -- A mind-set that views humans as a part of nature and Earth
as a limited supply of resources, which must be carefully managed to prevent
irreparable damage. Obligations to future generations require us to exercise
restraint to ensure adequate resources and a clean and healthy environment.
total fertility rate -- Average number of children that would be born alive to a
woman if she were to pass through all her childbearing years conforming to the
age-specific fertility rates.
toxicant -- A chemical, physical, or biological agent that causes disease or some
alteration of the normal structure and function of an organism. Impairments may
be slight or severe. Onset of effects may be immediate or delayed.
waste minimization -- Any one of several strategies to deal with hazardous and
solid wastes such as recycling. Designed to minimize or reduce waste output.
waste-to-energy plant -- Incinerator for rubbish that produces small amounts of
electricity from heat given off by combustion.
zero population growth -- A condition in which population is not increasing;
the population growth rate is zero.