Environmental Science

Geosphere

It includes all of Earth’s rocks, soil, sand, mountains, and landforms, as well as the planet’s interior layers.

Hint: Geo- means relating to the Earth

Hydrosphere

Includes all the water on Earth

Hint: Hydro means water

Biosphere

Refers to all living organisms on Earth, including plants, animals

Hint: Bio means living

Aquifers

underground layers of water-bearing rock that store and transmit groundwater. They are recharged through infiltration.

Hint: Infiltrate means to slowly soak

Biomes

Biomes are a large region of the Earth that has a similar climate, plants, and animals.

Ex: Deserts, forests, grasslands, tundras

Erosion

When natural forces carry away soil or rock.

Causes of erosion include water, landslide, wind

Generalists

Organisms that can survive in many different environments and eat a wide variety of foods. These organisms can adapt to their environment

Specialists

Organisms that depend on a specific food source or habitat to survive. These organisms are often vulnerable to changes in their habitat. They can survive only in certain environments. Not adaptable.

Trophic Pyramids

Diagrams that show the flow of energy through different feeding levels in an ecosystem.

Hint: Trophic means feeding

Latitude

The distance north or south of the equator, measured in degrees. It affects climate and biodiversity.

Longitude

The distance of a place east or west of the Prime Meridian, measured in degrees. Longitude lines run from the North Pole to the South Pole.

Pioneer Species

The first living things to start life in a new environment

Control group

Part of an experiment that is not changed