Terrestrial Ecosystems Vocab

Canopy (of a forest)

The layer formed by the tree crowns(the leaves and branches at the tops of the trees). Tall forests may have an upper canopy formed by the tall trees and a lower canopy formed by shorter trees.

Gap dynamics

The small-scale secondary succession

that takes place when a tree falls, leaving a gap in the forest canopy.

Savanna

A vegetation type consisting of grassland with scattered trees.

Community-based conservation

conservation that is organized and carried out by communities rather than the government.

lon exchange

transfer of electrically charged chemical fragments.

Soil

a dynamic ecosystem and habitat on land, consisting of clay minerals, air, water, and organic remains plus the organisms that constantly rework the material.

Conversation

careful or limited use of a renewables resource including water, lands, plants,and animals

Leaching

is the extraction of soluble materials from solids such as soil or coffee grounds as water passes through

Stakeholders

a person, group of people, or organization that has a stake (interest) in a project or situation.

Detritus

Small pieces of organic mother, the remains of those organisms, especially in aquatic ecosystems.

Limestone Forest

Forest that grows on raised limestone Islands such as the southern Mariana Islands and Palau's Rock Islands.

Sustainablity

The goal of using resources in such a way that future generations can continue to use them forever.

Ecotourism

tourism in the fragile, or relatively undisturbed natural areas, that provides benefit to the local community and conserves the local environment.

Mycorrhizae

symbiotic fungi and bacteria that form mutualistic associations with plant roots. (myco-fungi rhizae-roots)

Understory

The layer of small trees and bushes in a forest.

Erosion

The process by which soil and rock are worn away by wind and water.

Resources

anything species need to live and reproduce.(Example, water, food, nest sites, for humans also fuel,metals ..etc)

Watershed

The line along hilltops from which water flows downhill in opposite directions. Also used to mean all the land and vegetation enclosed within such a line. That is the basin that collects water into a particular river system or reservoir.