Environment

Chapter 10 biodiversity hotspots an idea first proposed in 1988 by environmental scientist Norman Myers. These ?ecological arks? are areas especially rich in plant species that are found nowhere else and are in great danger of extinction. deforestation the temporary or permanent removal of large expanses of forest for agriculture, settlements, or other uses. ecological restoration the process of repairing damage caused by humans to the biodiversity and dynamics of natural ecosystems. old-growth forest an uncut or regenerated primary forest that has not been seriously disturbed by human activities or natural disasters for 200 years or more. overgrazing occurs when too many animals graze for too long and exceed the carrying capacity of a rangeland area. pastures

Chapter 8 aquatic life zones The aquatic equivalents of biomes are called aquatic life zones. benthos The third type, benthos, consists of bottom dwellers such as oysters, which anchor themselves to one spot; clams and worms, which burrow into the sand or mud; and lobsters and crabs, which walk about on the sea floor. coastal wetlands coastal land areas covered with water all or part of the year coastal zone the warm, nutrient-rich, shallow water that extends from the high-tide mark on land to the gently sloping, shallow edge of the?continental shelf. coral reefs form in clear, warm coastal waters of the tropics and subtropics. cultural eutrophication

Chapter 5 age structure A population?s age structure?the proportions of individuals at various ages?can have a strong effect on how rapidly it increases or decreases in size. biotic potential Species vary in their biotic potential or capacity for population growth under ideal conditions. carrying capacity (K) Together, biotic potential and environmental resistance determine the carrying capacity (K): the maximum population of a given species that a particular habitat can sustain indefinitely without being degraded. coevolution

Chapter 3 abiotic Two types of components make up the biosphere and its ecosystems: One type, called abiotic, consists of nonliving components such as water, air, nutrients, rocks, heat, and solar energy. aerobic respiration Producers, consumers, and decomposers use the chemical energy stored in glucose and other organic compounds to fuel their life processes. In most cells this energy is released by aerobic respiration, which uses oxygen to convert glucose (or other organic nutrient molecules) back into carbon dioxide and water. anaerobic respiration, or fermentation Some decomposers get the energy they need by breaking down glucose (or other organic compounds) in the?absence?of oxygen. This form of cellular respiration is called anaerobic respiration, or fermentation.