Vocabulary List: Coastal Erosion in Ireland

Erosion

The process by which weathered rock and soil are moved from one location to another.

Coast

The area where land meets the sea.

Sediment

Particles of rock and soil that are carried by water or wind.

Geology

The study of the Earth's physical structure and substance.

Bank

The land alongside a body of water, typically a river or a stream.

Cliff

A steep face of rock and earth.

Wave

A long body of water curling into an arched form and breaking on the shore.

Shoreline

The line along which a large body of water meets the land.

Marine

Relating to the sea.

Landscape

The visible features of an area of land.

Weathering

The breaking down of rocks and minerals by environmental factors.

Tides

The regular rise and fall of sea levels caused by the gravitational forces of the moon and sun.

Rock

A solid mineral matter forming part of the surface of the Earth.

Soil

The upper layer of earth in which plants grow.

Rate

A measure, quantity, or frequency.

Barriers

Structures built to prevent or control erosion.

Habitat

The natural environment where an organism lives.

Human Impact

The effect of human activities on the environment.

Protection

The act of keeping something safe from harm.

Conservation

The preservation and careful management of natural resources.

Storms

Severe weather conditions characterized by strong winds and heavy precipitation.

Fossils

Preserved remains or traces of ancient organisms.

Flora

The plant life of a particular region.

Fauna

The animal life of a particular region.

Biodiversity

The variety of life in the world or in a particular habitat.

Natural Processes

Processes that occur in nature without human intervention.

Environment

The surroundings or conditions in which a person, animal, or plant lives.

Climate Change

Long-term alteration of temperature and typical weather patterns.

Agriculture

The practice of farming, including the cultivation of soil and livestock.

Development

The process of developing or being developed.

Tourism

The business of providing services to travelers.

Infrastructure

The basic physical and organizational structures needed for the operation of a society.

Management

The process of dealing with or controlling things or people.

Sustainability

The ability to be maintained at a certain rate or level.

Preservation

The act of maintaining something in its original state.

Restoration

The act of returning something to its former condition.

Monitoring

The continuous observation of a process or activity.

Strategy

A plan of action designed to achieve a specific goal.

Research

The systematic investigation into a subject.

Education

The process of receiving or giving instruction.

Community

A group of people living in the same place or having particular characteristics in common.

Litigation

The process of taking legal action.

Policy

A course or principle of action adopted by an organization.

Mitigation

The action of reducing the severity, seriousness, or painfulness of something.

Adaptation

The process of changing to fit new conditions.

Planning

The process of making plans for something.

Regulation

A rule or directive made and maintained by an authority.

Impact Assessment

The analysis of the potential effects of a project on the environment.

Ecosystem

A biological community of interacting organisms and their environment.

Restoration

The act of returning something to its original condition.

Land Use

The management and modification of natural environment into built environment.