Anthropogenic impacts on biodiversity and ecosystems

Anthropogenic

Caused or influenced by human activity

Correlation

A statistical relationship between two or more variables

Causation

A cause-and-effect relationship between two or more variables

Positive feedback cycle

A process in which the effects of a small change are amplified and lead to further change in the same direction

Boreal forest

A biome characterized by coniferous trees and cold temperatures, found in the northern hemisphere

Permafrost

Permanently frozen ground, typically found in Arctic regions

Browning

The process of vegetation turning brown due to environmental stress or damage

Legacy carbon

Carbon stored in long-lived organic matter, such as peat or fossil fuels

Combustion

The process of burning a substance, usually with the release of heat and light

Landfast ice

Sea ice that is attached to the coastline or shallow areas

Sea ice

Frozen seawater that floats on the surface of the ocean

Walrus

A large marine mammal with long tusks and flippers, found in the Arctic

Emperor penguin

A large species of penguin that inhabits Antarctica

Upwelling

The process of cold, nutrient-rich water rising to the surface of the ocean

Poleward

Towards the poles of the Earth

Montane

Relating to or characteristic of mountains

Upslope

The upward slope or incline of a hill or mountain

Ocean acidification

The ongoing decrease in the pH of the Earth's oceans, caused by the absorption of carbon dioxide

Coral bleaching

The whitening of coral reefs due to the loss of symbiotic algae

Afforestation

The process of establishing a forest, or stand of trees, in an area where there was no forest

Forest regeneration

The natural or intentional process of regrowth in a forest after disturbance

Carbon sequestration

The process of capturing and storing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere

Phenology

The study of cyclic and seasonal natural phenomena, especially in relation to climate and plant and animal life

Synchrony

The occurrence of events or processes at the same time

Biodiversity

The variety of life in a particular habitat or ecosystem

Ecosystem diversity

The variety of ecosystems within a given region

Species diversity

The variety of different species in a particular habitat or ecosystem

Genetic diversity

The variety of genetic material within a species or population

Splitters

Scientists who classify organisms into many different species based on small differences

Lumpers

Scientists who classify organisms into fewer species based on similarities

North Island Giant Moas

Extinct flightless birds that were native to New Zealand

Caribbean Monk Seals

Extinct seals that were native to the Caribbean Sea

Megafauna

Large or giant animals, especially those that lived during the Pleistocene epoch

Dipterocarp Forest

A type of tropical rainforest dominated by trees of the Dipterocarpaceae family

Species richness

The number of different species in a given area

Species evenness

The relative abundance of each species in a given area

Urbanization

The process of population concentration in urban areas

Deforestation

The clearing, destroying, or removal of trees from a forested area

In situ

In its original place or natural habitat

Ex situ

Outside of its original place or natural habitat

Botanic garden

A garden dedicated to the collection, cultivation, and display of a wide range of plants

Seed bank

A facility that stores and preserves seeds for future use