Biodiversity and Environmental Vocabulary

A set of flashcards covering vocabulary related to biodiversity and environmental science.

Biodiversity

(n.) The variety of life in the world or in a particular habitat or ecosystem.

Ecosystem

(n.) A biological community of interacting organisms and their physical environment.

Wildlife

(n.) Animals that are not domesticated and live in their natural environment.

Afforestation

(n.) The process of planting trees to create a forest in an area where there was no previous tree cover.

Fossil Fuels

(n.) Natural fuels formed from the remains of living organisms, such as coal, oil, and natural gas.

Landfill

(n.) A site for the disposal of waste materials by burial.

Water Scarcity

(n.) A situation where the demand for water exceeds the available amount.

Renewable Energy

(n.) Energy from a source that is not depleted when used, such as wind or solar power.

Soil Erosion

(n.) The removal of the top layer of soil, which can be caused by water, wind, or human activities.

Salinization

(n.) The accumulation of salts in soil, which can harm plant growth.

Acidification

(n.) The process of becoming acidic, which can impact soil and water quality.

Climate Crisis

(n.) A significant change in climate patterns that results in severe environmental consequences.

Soil Fertility

(n.) The ability of soil to provide essential nutrients and support plant growth.

Carbon Sink

(n.) A natural or artificial reservoir that absorbs more carbon dioxide from the atmosphere than it releases.

Trophic Level

(n.) A position in the food chain or food web of an ecosystem.

Watershed

(n.) An area of land that drains water into a particular river or lake.

Desertification

(n.) The process by which fertile land becomes desert as a result of drought, deforestation, or inappropriate agriculture.

Nature Reserve

(n.) A protected area established for the conservation of wildlife and natural resources.

Deplete

(v.) To exhaust the supply or resources of something.

Mitigate

(v.) To make less severe, serious, or painful.

Emit

(v.) To release or discharge something, such as gases or pollutants.

Combat

(v.) To take action to reduce or prevent something.

Worsen

(v.) To make or become worse.

Contaminate

(v.) To make something impure by exposure to pollutants.

Recycle

(v.) To process used materials in order to make them suitable for reuse.

Reuse

(v.) To use an item again for the same or a different purpose.

Reduce

(v.) To make smaller or less in amount.

Restore

(v.) To bring back to a state of good condition.

Overexploit

(v.) To use a resource excessively and unsustainably.

Safeguard

(v.) To protect something from harm or damage.

Phase Out

(v.) To gradually stop using a product or service.

Invest In

(v.) To allocate resources, usually money, for future benefits.

Rehabilitate

(v.) To restore to a former condition, particularly in the context of ecosystems.

Conserve

(v.) To protect something from being wasted or destroyed.

Monitor

(v.) To observe and check the progress or quality of something over time.

Degrade

(v.) To lower in quality or value.

Carbon Neutral

(adj.) Having a net zero carbon footprint by balancing emitted carbon with offsetting measures.

Urgent

(adj.) Requiring immediate action or attention.

Destructive

(adj.) Causing great and irreparable harm or damage.

Severe

(adj.) Very great; intense.

Endangered

(adj.) At risk of extinction.

Ecological

(adj.) Relating to the relationships between living organisms and their environment.

Eco-Friendly

(adj.) Having a minimal impact on the environment.

Excessive

(adj.) More than necessary; too much.

Organic

(adj.) Relating to or derived from living matter.