GLOSSARY

A

Abiotic Nonliving. Compare biotic.

Abundance The total number of individuals, or biomass, of a

species present in a specified area

Adaptation 1. Any genetically controlled structural,

physiological, or behavioral characteristic that helps an organism survive and reproduce under a given set of environmental conditions.

2. An evolutionary process that changes anatomy, physiology, or behavior, resulting in an increased ability of a population to live in a particular environment. The term is also applied to the anatomical, physiological, or behavioral charac­teristics produced by this process.

Age structure Percentage of the population (or number of people

of each sex) at each age level in a population

Agriculture The growing of crops and livestock for human

consumption.

A horizon A biologically active soil layer consisting of a

mixture of mineral materials, such as clay, silt, and sand, as well as organic material, derived from the overlying O horizon; generally characterized by leaching.

Air pollution One or more chemicals in high enough

concentrations in the air to harm humans, other animals, vegetation, or materials. Excess heat is also considered a form of air pollution. Such chemicals or physical conditions are called air

pollutants.

Altitude Height above sea level. Compare latitude.

Anthropocentric Human-centered

Aquatic life zone Marine and freshwater portions of the biosphere.

Examples include freshwater life zones (such as lakes and streams) and ocean or marine life zones (such as estuaries, coastlines, coral reefs, and the open ocean).

Arid Dry. A desert or other area with an arid climate

has little precipitation.

Artificial selection Process by which humans select one or more

desirable genetic traits in the population of a plant or animal species and then use selective breeding to produce populations containing many individuals with the desired traits.

Atmosphere Whole mass of air surrounding the earth. See

stratosphere, troposphere. Compare biosphere, geosphere, hydrosphere.

Autotroph An organism that can synthesize organic

molecules using inorganic molecules and energy from either sunlight (photosynthetic autotrophs) or from inorganic molecules, such as hydrogen sulfide (chemosynthetic autotrophs).

B

Bacteria Prokaryotic, one-celled organisms. Some transmit

diseases. Most act as decomposers and get the nutrients they need by breaking down complex organic compounds in the tissues of living or dead organisms into simpler inorganic nutrient compounds.

Benthic An adjective referring to the bottom of bodies of

waters such as seas, lakes, or streams

Benthos Bottom-dwelling organisms. Compare

decomposer, nekton, plankton.

B horizon A subsoil in which materials leached from above,

generally from the A horizon, accumulate. May be rich in clay, organic matter, iron, and other materials.

Biodiversity Variety of different species (species diversity),

genetic variability among individuals within each species (genetic diversity), variety of ecosystems (ecological diversity), and functions such as energy flow and matter cycling needed for the survival of species and biological communities (functional diversity).

Biogeochemical Natural processes that recycle nutrients in various

cycle chemical forms from the nonliving environment to

living organisms and then back to the nonliving environment. Examples include the carbon, oxygen, nitrogen, phosphorus, sulfur, and hydrologic cycles

Biological evolution Change in the genetic makeup of a population of a species in successive generations. If continued long enough, it can lead to the formation of a new species. Note that populations, not individuals, evolve. See also adaptation, differential reproduction, natural selection, theory of evolution Biomass Organic matter produced by plants and other

photosynthetic producers; total dry weight of all living organisms that can be supported at each trophic level in a food chain or web; dry weight of all organic matter in plants and animals in an ecosystem; plant materials and animal wastes used as fuel.

Biome Terrestrial regions inhabited by certain types of

life, especially vegetation. Examples include various types of deserts, grasslands, and forests

Biosphere Zone of the earth where life is found. It consists of

parts of the atmosphere (the troposphere), hydrosphere (mostly surface water and groundwater), and lithosphere (mostly soil and surface rocks and sediments on the bottoms of oceans and other bodies of water) where life is found. Compare atmosphere, geosphere, hydrosphere.

Biotic Living organisms. Compare abiotic

Birthrate The number of new individuals produced in a

population generally expressed as births per individual or per thousand individuals in the population.

Boreal forest Northern forests that occupy the area south of

arctic tundra. Though dominated by coniferous trees they also contain aspen and birch. Also called taiga.

C

Carbon cycle Cyclic movement of carbon in different chemical

forms from the environment to organisms and then back to the environment.

Carnivore Animal that feeds on other animals. Compare

herbivore, omnivore.

Cell Smallest living unit of an organism. Each cell is

encased in an outer membrane or wall and contains genetic material (DNA) and other parts to perform its life function. Organisms such as bacteria consist of only one cell, but most organisms contain many cells.

C horizon A soil layer composed of largely unaltered parent

material, little affected by biological activity.

Chlorofl uorocarbons Organic compounds made up of atoms of carbon, (CFCS) chlorine, and fluorine. An example is Freon-12

(ccl2f2), which is used as a refrigerant in refrigerators and air conditioners and in making plastics such as Styrofoam. Gaseous cfcs can deplete the ozone layer when they slowly rise into the stratosphere and their chlorine atoms react with ozone molecules. Their use is being phased out.

Climate Physical properties of the troposphere of an area

based on analysis of its weather records over a long period (at least 30 years).

Coevolution Evolution in which two or more species interact

and exert selective pressures on each other that can lead each species to undergo adaptations. See evolution, natural selection.

Commensalism An interaction between organisms of different

species in which one type of organism benefits and the other type is neither helped nor harmed to any great degree. Compare mutualism.

Community Populations of all species living and interacting in

an area at a particular time.

Competition Two or more individual organisms of a single

species (intraspecific competition) or two or more individuals of different species (interspecific competition) attempting to use the same scarce resources in the same ecosystem.

Compound Combination of atoms, or oppositely charged ions,

of two or more elements held together by attractive forces called chemical bonds. Examples are NACl, CO2, and C6H12O6. Compare element.

Consumer Organism that cannot synthesize the organic

nutrients it needs and gets its organic nutrients by feeding on the tissues of producers or of other consumers; generally divided into primary consumers (herbivores), secondary consumers (carnivores), tertiary (higher-level ) consumers, omnivores, and detritivores (decomposers and detritus feeders). In economics, one who uses economic goods. Compare producer

Core Inner zone of the earth. It consists of a solid inner

core and a liquid outer core. Compare crust, mantle.

Crust Solid outer zone of the earth. It consists of oceanic

crust and continental crust. Compare core, mantle.

Currents Mass movements of surface water produced by

prevailing winds blowing over the oceans.

D

Decomposer Organism that digests parts of dead organisms

and cast-off fragments and wastes of living organisms by breaking down the complex organic molecules in those materials into simpler inorganic compounds and then absorbing the soluble nutrients.

chemicals to the soil and water for reuse.

Decomposers consist of various bacteria and fungi. Compare consumer, detritivore, producer

Deforestation Removal of trees from a forested area

Density 1. Mass per unit volume.

2. The number of individuals in a population per unit area

Desert Biome in which evaporation exceeds precipitation

and the average amount of precipitation is less than 25 centimeters (10 inches) per year. Such areas have little vegetation or have widely spaced, mostly low vegetation. Compare forest, grassland.

Desertification Conversion of rangeland, rain-fed cropland, or

irrigated cropland to desert-like land, with a drop in agricultural productivity of 10% or more. It usually is caused by a combination of overgrazing, soil erosion, prolonged drought, and climate change.

Detritivore Consumer organism that feeds on detritus, parts

of dead organisms, and cast-off fragments and wastes of living organisms. Examples include

earthworms, termites, and crabs. Compare

decomposer.

Detritus Parts of dead organisms and cast-off fragments and wastes of living organisms.

Direct Interaction negative or positive interaction

between two species, including competition,

predation, herbivory, and mutualism, that occurs without the involvement of an intermediary

species.

Distribution The geographic range of an organism or the

spatial arrangement of individuals in a local population.

Domesticated Wild species tamed or genetically altered by

species crossbreeding for use by humans for food (cattle,

sheep, and food crops), pets (dogs and cats), or enjoyment (animals in zoos and plants in botanical gardens). Compare wild species

Dominant species or Organisms, such as abundant, forest tree species foundation species or reef coral species, that substantially influence

community structure as a consequence of their abundance.

Drought Condition in which an area does not get enough

water because of lower-than-normal precipitation or higher-than-normal temperatures that increase evaporation.

E

Ecological diversity The variety of forests, deserts, grasslands, oceans, streams, lakes, and other biological communities interacting with one another and with their nonliving environment. See biodiversity. Compare functional diversity, genetic diversity, species diversity.

Ecologist Biological scientist who studies relationships

between living organisms and their environment.

Ecology Biological science that studies the relationships

between living organisms and their environment; study of the structure and functions of nature.

Ecosystem One or more communities of different species

interacting with one another and with the chemical and physical factors making up their nonliving environment.

Electromagnetic Forms of kinetic energy traveling as

radiation electromagnetic waves. Examples include radio

waves, tv waves, microwaves, infrared radiation, visible light, ultraviolet radiation, x rays, and gamma rays.

Endangered species Wild species with so few individual survivors that the species could soon become extinct in all or most of its natural range. Compare threatened species.

Endemic species Species that is found in only one area. Such

species are especially vulnerable to extinction.

Environment All external conditions, factors, matter, and

energy, living and nonliving, that affect any living organism or other specified system.

Environmental Depletion or destruction of a potentially renewable

degradation resource such as soil, grassland, forest, or wildlife

that is used faster than it is naturally replenished. If such use continues, the resource becomes non­renewable (on a human time scale) or nonexistent (extinct). See also sustainable yield.

Environmentalism Social movement dedicated to protecting the

earth's life support systems for us and other species.

Environmentalist Person who is concerned about the impacts of

human activities on the environment.

Erosion Process or group of processes by which loose or

consolidated earth materials are dissolved, loosened, or worn away and removed from one place and deposited in another. See weathering.

Estuary The lowermost part of a river, which is under the

influence of the tides and is a mixture of seawater and freshwater

Euphotic zone Upper layer of a body of water through which

sunlight can penetrate and support

photosynthesis.

Eutrophication Physical, chemical, and biological changes that

take place after a lake, estuary, or slow-flowing stream receives inputs of plant nutrients—mostly nitrates and phosphates—from natural erosion and runoff from the surrounding land basin. See cultural eutrophication.

Evaporation The process by which a liquid changes from liquid

phase to a gas, as in the change from liquid water to water vapor.

F

Food chain Series of organisms in which each eats or decomposes the preceding one. Compare food web.

Food web Complex network of many interconnected food

chains and feeding relationships. Compare food chain.

Forest Biome with enough average annual precipitation to

support the growth of tree species and smaller forms of vegetation. Compare desert, grassland.

Fossil fuel Products of partial or complete decomposition of

plants and animals; occurs as crude oil, coal, natural gas, or heavy oils as a result of exposure to heat and pressure in the earth's crust over millions of years. See coal, crude oil, natural gas.

Fossils Skeletons, bones, shells, body parts, leaves,

seeds, or impressions of such items that provide recognizable evidence of organisms that lived long ago.

G

Genetic adaptation Changes in the genetic makeup of organisms of a

species that allow the species to reproduce and gain a competitive advantage under changed environmental conditions. See differential reproduction, evolution, mutation, natural selection.

Genetic diversity Variability in the genetic makeup among

individuals within a single species. See biodiversity. Compare ecological diversity, functional diversity, species diversity

Geosphere Earth's intensely hot core, thick mantle composed

mostly of rock, and thin outer crust that contains most of the earth's rock, soil, and sediment. Compare atmosphere, biosphere, hydrosphere Global climate Broad term referring to changes in any aspects of

change the earth's climate, including temperature,

precipitation, and storm activity. Compare weather Global warming Warming of the earth's lower atmosphere

(troposphere) because of increases in the concentrations of one or more greenhouse gases. It can result in climate change that can last for decades to thousands of years. See greenhouse effect, greenhouse gases, natural greenhouse effect.

Grassland Biome found in regions where enough annual

average precipitation to support the growth of grass and small plants but not enough to support large stands of trees. Compare desert, forest.

Greenhouse effect Natural effect that releases heat in the atmosphere

(troposphere) near the earth's surface. Water vapor, carbon dioxide, ozone, and other gases in the lower atmosphere (troposphere) absorb some of the infrared radiation (heat) radiated by the earth's surface. Their molecules vibrate and transform the absorbed energy into longer- wavelength infrared radiation (heat) in the troposphere. If the atmospheric concentrations of these greenhouse gases increase and other

natural processes do not remove them, the

average temperature of the lower atmosphere will increase gradually. Compare global warming. See also natural greenhouse effect.

Greenhouse gases Gases in the earth's lower atmosphere

(troposphere) that cause the greenhouse effect. Examples include carbon dioxide,

chlorofluorocarbons, ozone, methane, water vapor, and nitrous oxide.

H

Habitat Place or type of place where an organism or

population of organisms lives. Compare ecological niche.

Heat Total kinetic energy of all randomly moving atoms,

ions, or molecules within a given substance, excluding the overall motion of the whole object. Heat always flows spontaneously from a warmer sample of matter to a colder sample of matter. This is one way to state the second law of thermodynamics. Compare temperature.

Herbivore Plant-eating organism. Examples include deer,

sheep, grasshoppers, and zooplankton. Compare carnivore, omnivore.

Heterotroph An organism that uses organic molecules both as

a source of carbon and as a source of energy.

Homeotherm An organism that uses metabolic energy to

maintain a relatively constant body temperature; such organisms are often called warm-blooded.

Hydrologic cycle Biogeochemical cycle that collects, purifies, and

distributes the earth's fixed supply of water from the environment to living organisms and then back to the environment.

Hydrosphere Earth's liquid water (oceans, lakes, other bodies of

surface water, and underground water), frozen water (polar ice caps, floating ice caps, and ice in soil, known as permafrost), and water vapor in the atmosphere. See also hydrologic cycle. Compare atmosphere, biosphere, geosphere.

I

Immigration Migration of people into a country or area to take

up permanent residence.

Indirect interaction Negative or positive interaction between two

species, including trophic cascades, apparent competition, and indirect mutualism or commensalism, that is mediated through a third species.

Inorganic All compounds not classified as organic

compounds compounds. See organic compounds.

Interspecific Attempts by members of two or more species to

competition use the same limited resources in an ecosystem.

See competition, intraspecifi c competition.

Intraspecific Attempts by two or more organisms of a single

competition species to use the same limited resources in an

ecosystem. See competition, interspecifi c competition.

Invertebrates Animals that have no backbones. Compare

vertebrates

K

Keystone species Species that, despite low biomass, exert strong

effects on the structure of the communities they inhabit.

L

Landscape A heterogeneous area consisting of distinctive

patches, or landscape elements, organized into a mosaic-like pattern.

Law of tolerance Existence, abundance, and distribution of a species in an ecosystem are determined by whether the levels of one or more physical or chemical factors fall within the range tolerated by the species. See threshold effect.

Limiting factor Single factor that limits the growth, abundance, or

distribution of the population of a species in an ecosystem. See limiting factor principle

Limiting factor Too much or too little of any abiotic factor can limit

principle or prevent growth of a population of a species in

an ecosystem, even if all other factors are at or near the optimal range of tolerance for the species.

Littoral zone The shallowest waters along a lake or ocean

shore; where rooted aquatic plants may grow in lakes

M

Matter Anything that has mass (the amount of material in

an object) and takes up space. On the earth, where gravity is present, we weigh an object to determine its mass.

Microorganisms Organisms such as bacteria that are so small that

it takes a microscope to see them

Migration Movement of people into and out of specific

geographic areas. Compare emigration and immigration.

Mineral resource Concentration of naturally occurring solid, liquid, or

gaseous material in or on the earth's crust in a form and amount such that extracting and converting it into useful materials or items is currently or potentially profitable. Mineral resources are classified as metallic (such as iron and tin ores) or nonmetallic (such as fossil fuels, sand, and salt).

Mineralization The breakdown of organic matter from organic to

inorganic form during decomposition.

Mutualism Type of species interaction in which both

participating species generally benefi t. Compare commensalism.

N

Natural selection Process by which a particular beneficial gene (or set of genes) is reproduced in succeeding generations more than other genes. The result of natural selection is a population that contains a greater proportion of organisms better adapted to certain environmental conditions. See adaptation, biological evolution, differential reproduction, mutation.

Nekton Strongly swimming organisms found in aquatic

systems. Compare benthos, plankton.

Niche The environmental factors that influence the

growth, survival, and reproduction of a species.

Nitrogen cycle Cyclic movement of nitrogen in different chemical

forms from the environment to organisms and then back to the environment

Nitrogen fixation Conversion of atmospheric nitrogen gas into forms

useful to plants by lightning, bacteria, and cyanobacteria; it is part of the nitrogen cycle. Nonrenewable resource Resource that exists in a fixed amount (stock) in the earth's crust and has the potential for renewal by geological, physical, and chemical processes taking place over hundreds of millions to billions of years. Examples include copper, aluminum, coal, and oil. We classify these resources as exhaustible because we are extracting and using them at a much faster rate than they are formed. Compare renewable resource

Nutrient Any chemical element or compound an organism

must take in to live, grow, or reproduce

O

Oceanic zone The open ocean beyond the continental shelf with

water depths generally greater than 200 m.

O (organic) horizon The most superficial soil layer containing substantial amounts of organic matter, including whole leaves, twigs, other plant parts, and highly fragmented organic matter.

Omnivore Animal that can use both plants and other animals

as food sources. Examples include pigs, rats, cockroaches, and humans. Compare carnivore, herbivore.

Organic compounds Compounds containing carbon atoms combined with each other and with atoms of one or more other elements such as hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, sulfur, phosphorus, chlorine, and fluorine. All other compounds are called inorganic compounds.

Overfishing Harvesting so many fi sh of a species, especially

immature individuals, that not enough breeding stock is left to replenish the species and it becomes unprofi table to harvest them.

Overgrazing Destruction of vegetation when too many grazing

animals feed too long and exceed the carrying capacity of a rangeland or pasture area.

Ozone (O3) Colorless and highly reactive gas and a major

component of photochemical smog. Also found in the ozone layer in the stratosphere. See photochemical smog.

Ozone layer Layer of gaseous ozone (O3) in the stratosphere

that protects life on earth by filtering out most harmful ultraviolet radiation from the sun.

P

Parasite Consumer organism that lives on or in, and feeds

on, a living plant or animal, known as the host, over an extended period. The parasite draws nourishment from and gradually weakens its host; it may or may not kill the host. See parasitism.

Parasitism Interaction between species in which one

organism, called the parasite, preys on another organism, called the host, by living on or in the host. See host, parasite.

Photosynthesis Complex process that takes place in cells of green

plants. Radiant energy from the sun is used to combine carbon dioxide (CO2) and water (H2O) to produce oxygen (O2), carbohydrates (such as glucose, C6H12O6), and other nutrient molecules. Compare aerobic respiration, chemosynthesis.

Phytoplankton Small, drifting plants, mostly algae and bacteria,

found in aquatic ecosystems. Compare plankton, zooplankton.

Plankton Small plant organisms (phytoplankton) and animal

organisms (zooplankton) that float in aquatic ecosystems.

Pollutant Particular chemical or form of energy that can

adversely affect the health, survival, or activities of

humans or other living organisms. See pollution Pollution Undesirable change in the physical, chemical, or

biological characteristics of air, water, soil, or food that can adversely affect the health, survival, or activities of humans or other living organisms.

Population Group of individual organisms of the same species

living in a particular area.

Population change Increase or decrease in the size of a population. It

is equal to (Births + Immigration) (Deaths + Emigration).

Population Variation of population density over a particular

distribution geographic area or volume. For example, a

country has a high population density in its urban areas and a much lower population density in rural areas

Population dynamics Major abiotic and biotic factors that tend to increase or decrease the population size and affect the age and sex composition of a species.

Population size Number of individuals making up a population’s

gene pool.

Predation Interaction in which an organism of one species

(the predator) captures and feeds on parts or all of an organism of another species (the prey).

Predator Organism that captures and feeds on parts or all

of an organism of another species (the prey).

Prey Organism that is captured and serves as a source

of food for an organism of another species (the predator).

Primary consumer Organism that feeds on all or part of plants

(herbivore) or on other producers. Compare detritivore, omnivore, secondary consumer.

Primary succession Ecological succession in a bare area that has never been occupied by a community of organisms. See ecological succession. Compare secondary succession.

Producer Organism that uses solar energy (green plants) or

chemical energy (some bacteria) to manufacture the organic compounds it needs as nutrients from simple inorganic compounds obtained from its environment. Compare consumer, decomposer.

Pyramid of energy Diagram representing the flow of energy through flow each trophic level in a food chain or food web.

With each energy transfer, only a small part (typically 10%) of the usable energy entering one trophic level is transferred to the organisms at the next trophic level.

R

Radioactivity Nuclear change in which unstable nuclei of atoms

spontaneously shoot out “chunks” of mass, energy, or both at a fixed rate. The three principal types of radioactivity are gamma rays and fast­moving alpha particles and beta particles.

Random distribution a distribution in which individuals within a population have an equal chance of living anywhere within an area.

Range of tolerance Range of chemical and physical conditions that

must be maintained for populations of a particular species to stay alive and grow, develop, and function normally. See law of tolerance.

Rare species Species that has naturally small numbers of

individuals (often because of limited geographic ranges or low population densities) or that has been locally depleted by human activities.

Recycling Collecting and reprocessing a resource so that it

can be made into new products. An example is collecting aluminum cans, melting them down, and using the aluminum to make new cans or other aluminum products. Compare reuse.

Renewable resource Resource that can be replenished rapidly (hours to several decades) through natural processes as long as it is not used up faster than it is replaced. Examples include trees in forests, grasses in grasslands, wild animals, fresh surface water in lakes and streams, most groundwater, fresh air, and fertile soil. If such a resource is used faster than it is replenished, it can be depleted and converted into a nonrenewable resource. Compare nonrenewable resource and perpetual resource. See also environmental degradation.

Reproduction Production of offspring by one or more parents.

S

Salinity The salt content of water.

Secondary consumer Organism that feeds only on primary consumers. Compare detritivore, omnivore, primary consumer.

Secondary Succession where disturbance has destroyed a

succession community without destroying the soil; for

instance, forest succession following a forest fire or logging.

Soil Complex mixture of inorganic minerals (clay, silt,

pebbles, and sand), decaying organic matter, water, air, and living organisms.

Solar energy Direct radiant energy from the sun and a number

of indirect forms of energy produced by the direct input of such radiant energy. Principal indirect forms of solar energy include wind, falling and fl owing water (hydropower), and biomass (solar energy converted into chemical energy stored in the chemical bonds of organic compounds in trees and other plants)—none of which would exist without direct solar energy.

Species Group of similar organisms, and for sexually

reproducing organisms, they are a set of individuals that can mate and produce fertile offspring. Every organism is a member of a certain species.

Succulent plants Plants, such as desert cacti, that survive in dry

climates by having no leaves, thus reducing the loss of scarce water. They store water and use sunlight to produce the food they need in the thick, fleshy tissue of their green stems and branches. Compare deciduous plants, evergreen plants.

T

Taiga Northern forests that occupy the area south of

arctic tundra. Though dominated by coniferous trees they also contain aspen and birch. Also called boreal forest.

Thermophilic A term applied to organisms that tolerate or

require high-temperature environments.

Transpiration Process in which water is absorbed by the root

systems of plants, moves up through the plants, passes through pores (stomata) in their leaves or other parts, and evaporates into the atmosphere as water vapor

Trophic level All organisms that are the same number of energy

transfers away from the original source of energy (for example, sunlight) that enters an ecosystem.

For example, all producers belong to the first trophic level, and all herbivores belong to the second trophic level in a food chain or a food web. Troposphere Innermost layer of the atmosphere. It contains

about 75% of the mass of earth's air and extends about 17 kilometers (11 miles) above sea level. Compare stratosphere.

Tundra A northern biome dominated by mosses, lichens,

and dwarf willows, receiving low to moderate precipitation and having a very short growing season.

U

Urban ecology The study of urban areas as complex, dynamic

ecological systems, influenced by interconnected, biological, physical, and social components.

W

Weather Short-term changes in the temperature, barometric

pressure, humidity, precipitation, sunshine, cloud cover, wind direction and speed, and other conditions in the troposphere at a given place and time. Compare climate.

Wetland Land that is covered all or part of the time with salt

water or fresh water, excluding streams, lakes, and the open ocean. See coastal wetland, inland wetland.

Wildlife All free, undomesticated species. Sometimes the

term is used to describe animals only.

Worldview How people think the world works and what they

think their role in the world should be. See environmental wisdom worldview, planetary management worldview, stewardship worldview.

Z

Zooplankton Animal plankton; small floating herbivores that

feed on plant plankton (phytoplankton). Compare phytoplankton.

VOCABULARY

A

Abiotic 1) абиотический; 2) неживой; нежизненный

Absorb всасывать, впитывать; абсорбировать;

поглощать

Abundance 1) обилие, изобилие, большое количество; 2)

численность, относительное содержание (число особей на единицу пространства)

Accessible доступный (to); достижимый

Acid кислота

Acid rain кислотный дождь

Activity деятельность

Adaptation адаптация

Admission госпитализация, приём больного в стационар

Affected поражённый, травмированный

Air воздух

Air current воздушная струя; воздушный поток

Alternate сменять, сменять друг друга (with); чередовать

(ся), колебаться (between); делать попере­

менно

Alternative types/sources альтернативные источники энергии of energy

Altitude высота; высота над уровнем моря

Apparent видимый, видный

Apply применять, использовать, употреблять (to)

Assessment определение, установление (например,

сроков беременности); оценка (жизнеспособ­ности)

Assume 1) принимать, брать на себя (ответственность,

управление и т.п.); 2) принимать (характер,

форму); 3) прикидываться, симулировать, притворяться); 4) присваивать, предъявлять претензию, заявлять права на что-либо

Atmosphere атмосфера

Average temperature средняя температура

B

Be threatened extinction

Benthic (benthonic) Biodiversity

with

быть под угрозой вымирания бентический, бентосный, обитающий на дне биоразнообразие

Bioresorbable биологический саморазрушающийся

Biosphere биосфера

Blizzard вьюга

Blood clotting свёртывание крови

Blossom цвести; распускаться; расцветать

Bog болото

Boreal forest тайга, бореальный лес

Breakthrough 1) прорыв; breakthrough charge - атака с

целью прорыва; 2) достижение, открытие, победа (научная и т.п.)

Breeding разведение, размножение (животных, расте­

ний)

C

Cadaver труп

Cancer рак (заболевание)

Canopy 1) покров; 2) листовой [древесный] полог

Capacity способность

Carbon dioxide углекислота, углекислый газ

Carnivorous плотоядный

Cell клетка

Cellular respiration клеточное дыхание

Coal уголь

Compatibility совместимость, совместность, сочетаемость

Compose составлять

Consequences последствия

Consume потреблять, расходовать, поглощать, тратить

Contaminate заражать, инфицировать

Create порождать, производить, создавать, творить

Cripple 1) а) получать травму (конечности),

травмировать (конечность) (особ. ногу); б) калечить, лишать трудоспособности; 2) хромать, ковылять 3) портить, приводить в негодность; наносить ущерб

Current текущий, данный, современный

D

Damage урон, ущерб

Define определять

Density густота, плотность, сосредоточенность

(определенного количества каких-либо единиц в определенном районе); концентрация

Desertification опустынивание

Destroy разрушать, рушить, сносить; ликвидировать;

стирать с лица земли

Disastrous бедственный, гибельный, пагубный (to)

Discrete отдельный; обособленный; изолированный;

отличный

Disorder нарушение, расстройство (какой-л. функции

организма)

Dissolve разлагать(ся); 2) растворять(ся)

Dissolved compound растворённое соединение

Distinct отдельный; особый, индивидуальный;

отличный (от других - from)

Distribution распределение, распространение

Drought засуха

Earth Земля

Ecology Экология

Ecosystem экосистема

Emergency чрезвычайное происшествие

Endangered species исчезающий вид

Enhancement повышение, прирост, увеличение

Environment окружающая среда

Equilibrium баланс, равновесие, устойчивость

равновесность

Evaporation испарение

Evergreen 1) вечнозеленый; 2) вечнозеленое растение

Exploitation использование, употребление, эксплуатация

Extend 1) простираться; 2) распространяться

Extinction 1) угасание; 2) вымирание; исчезновение

Extraneous внешний, поступающий извне; посторонний

чуждый (to)

F

Fertility Плодородие; изобилие (в области животного и

растительного мира)

First aid Первая помощь

Flooding Паводок

Flook Стая

Forest Лес

Fossil fuel Ископаемое топливо

Fracture Перелом; разрыв мягких тканей

Freshwater пресноводный

Fuel Топливо

Fungi грибы

G

Garbage Бытовые отходы

Gas Газ

Genus 1) род; 2) сорт; вид, род

Geography География

Global Глобальный

Globe Вселенная

Grass трава

Greenhouse effect парниковый эффект

Greenhouse gas Парниковый газ

H

Habitat Среда обитания, место распространения,

ареал (животного, растения); естественная

среда

Harm Причинять вред

Harsh continental climate Резко континентальный климат

Hazard Опасность

Heat Тепло, жара

Humid влажный, мокрый, сырой, отсыревший

Humidity Влажность

Hurricane Ураган

Hydrocarbons Углеводороды

Hydrogen-sulphide Сероводород

I

Icecap ледниковый покров (в горах); полярный лед

Impact environmental Воздействие на окружающую среду

Industrial disease Профессиональное заболевание

Industrial revolution Промышленная революция

Inhabit жить, населять, обитать, проживать,

существовать

Influence влияние, действие, воздействие

J

Jelly-fish медуза

Jet airplane fuel Топливо для реактивных двигателей

Joint Nature Объединенный комитет охраны природы

Conservation Committee

Joule Джоуль (Дж)

Jungle Джунгли

Juvenile Ювенильный (несовершеннолетний)

K

Keystone species Ключевые виды

Kilogram Килограмм

Kilometre Километр

Kingdom Царство

Krotovina Кротовина

Kyoto Protocol Киотский протокол

L

Lahar Сель

Landscape Ландшафт

Latitude широта

Layer Ярус

Lentic стоячий (о воде)

Limit: maximum Предельно допустимая концентрация (ПДК)

concentration limit (MCL)

List of endangered красная книга

species

Littoral прибрежный; приморский

Living matter живая материя

Logging заготовка и транспортировка леса; количество

срубленного леса

Lotic проточный (о воде)

Mammal Млекопитающее

Marsh Болото, топь

Meadow Луг, луговина; низина, пойменная земля

Moist Сырой; влажный, мокрый

Motor accident Автомобильная катастрофа

Multicellular Многоклеточный

N

Natural calamity Стихийное бедствие

Niche Ниша (экологическая)

Non-renewable Невозобновляемые ресурсы

resources

Noosphere Ноосфера

Nuclear Ядерный

Nuclear waste Радиоактивные отходы

Nucleic acid Нуклеиновая кислота

Nutrient Питательное вещество

O

Objective Задача; стремление

Observe Наблюдать, замечать, обращать внимание

Observation Наблюдение

Occupational risk Производственный риск

Oil (petroleum) Нефть

Ointment Мазь, притирание

Omnivor (omnivore) Всеядное животное

Ooze Ил, болото

Outer layer - наружный слой

Overdevelopment Чрезмерная эксплуатация территории

Oxidation Окисление, озоление

Ozone hole озоновая дыра

Ozone layer Озоновый слой

P

Parcel 1) часть (только в сочетаниях) - part and

parcel, instalment; 2) участок земли

Pathway 1) тропа; тропинка; дорожка; дорога, путь; 2)

направление, траектория

Pedology почвоведение

Pedogenesis Почвообразование

Pelagic пелагический, морской, океанический

Permanent inhabitant постоянный житель, обитатель (о людях и

животных)

Pest Вредитель

Phenomenon явление

Phosphorus фосфор

Photic zone световая зона (толщи воды)

Plague 1) эпидемическое заболевание с большой

смертностью; 2) чума; 3) вспышка массового размножения вредных животных

Poisonous Ядовитый

pollination опыление

Pollutant Загрязнитель

Polluter Источник загрязнения

Pollution Загрязнение

Pond пруд; маленькое озеро

Precipitation і) осаждение, преципитация; 2) осадки;

атмосферные осадки; 3) выпадение осадков Predation (predatism) хищничество

Preserve Заповедник, заказник

Prey 1) ловить, охотиться; 2) добыча, жертва

Primary production 1) первичная продукция; 2) первое звено в

пищевой цепи; 3) производство сырых материалов

Protection Защита (охрана)

Purification Очистка

Purifier Очиститель

R

Radiant Излучающий

Rainfall 1) количество осадков; 2) ливень

Rainforest тропический лес; влажные джунгли

Raptor хищник

Recovery восстановление, выздоровление, излечение

(благоприятный результат лечения),

исцеление, пробуждение (после наркоза) Recycling 1. Рециркуляция 2. Повтор

Relationship Взаимосвязь, отношения

Release выброс; высвобождение;

Renewable energy возобновляемая энергия

Riparian прибрежный, находящийся на берегу,

относящийся к берегу

Rock-fall Обвал

Rubbish Мусор

S

Safety Безопасность

Saturated soil водонасыщенный грунт

Salinity соленость

Secondary energy вторичный источник энергии

source

Shallow depths небольшая глубина

Share делить, распределять; разделять

Sleet Гололед

Slide Оползень, лавина

Smog Смог

Smoke Дым

Soil грунт, земля, почва

Solar insolation освещение (предмета) лучами солнца

Solar energy солнечная энергия, энергия Солнца

Species Вид

Spruce 1) ель; 2) хвойное дерево

Steppe степь

Stream поток, река, ручей; струя, течение

Subdue подчинять, покорять

Survival выживание, переживание

Sustainable устойчивый; экологически рациональный;

способный существовать, не нанося ущерба окружающей среде

T

Terrestrial life Земной, наземный, континентальный; флора и

фауна суши

Transduction преобразование

Treatment Очистка, обработка

Underwood Underlying

Unicellular Unit

подлесок, подлесье

1) лежащий или расположенный под чем-либо

2) основной; лежащий в основе Одноклеточный

Единица

Vaporability Испаряемость

Variety многообразие, разнообразие

Vertebra позвоночник

Viability жизнеспособность; жизненность,

жизнестойкость

W

Waterlogging Подтопление

Wildlife Дикая природа

Woodland лесистая местность

World Health Всемирная Организация Здравоохранения

Organization (WHO) (ВОЗ)

Worry about беспокоиться о чем-л. или о ком-л.

X

X-rays Рентгеновские лучи

Y

Yield Урожай, объем заготовок

Z

Zone Зона