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Biosphere

The biosphere refers to the part of Earth where life exists, including all living organisms and their interactions with each other and the environment.

Subtropical Desert

A subtropical desert is a type of desert that is located in the subtropics, typically between 15 and 30 degrees latitude. It is characterized by hot temperatures, low rainfall, and sparse vegetation.

Taiga

Taiga is a biome characterized by dense forests of coniferous trees, such as spruce and pine. It is found in cold climates with long winters and short summers.

Temperate rainforest

Temperate rainforest refers to a forest ecosystem characterized by moderate temperatures and high rainfall throughout the year. These forests are typically found along coastal regions with mild winters.

Tropical rainforest

Tropical rainforest refers to a dense forest ecosystem found near the equator that receives high amounts of rainfall throughout the year. It is known for its incredible biodiversity and lush vegetation

Savanna

savanna is a biome characterized by distinct wet and dry seasons. It consists of scattered trees with grassy areas dominating the landscape during the dry season.

Woodland/Shrubland

Woodland/Shrubland is a biome characterized by the presence of small trees and shrubs, typically found in regions with a Mediterranean climate, which includes hot, dry summers and mild, wet winters. This biome supports a diverse range of plant and animal species adapted to its unique conditions, including drought-resistant vegetation and fire-adapted ecosystems, making it an essential part of the global biodiversity landscape.

Aphotic Zone

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The aphotic zone refers to the deeper layer of a body of water that receives little to no sunlight. It is characterized by darkness and low levels of dissolved oxygen.

Benthic zone

The benthic zone refers to the lowest level of a body of water, such as a lake or ocean, where organisms live on or in the sediment at the bottom.

Intertidal Zones

Intertidal zones refer to the area between high tide and low tide marks on a shoreline. These zones experience regular exposure to both air and water due to tidal fluctuations.

Littoral Zone

Littoral Zone

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The littoral zone refers to the shallow area of a body of water, such as a lake or pond, where sunlight reaches the bottom and supports plant growth. It is the zone closest to the shore.

Mangrove Swamps

Mangrove swamps are coastal wetlands characterized by dense growth of mangrove trees, which are salt-tolerant plants that thrive in brackish water. They provide important ecological functions such as protecting coastlines from erosion and serving as nurseries for various marine species.

Photic zone

Photic Zone

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The photic zone refers to the upper layer of a body of water where sunlight can penetrate sufficiently for photosynthesis to occur. It is characterized by high levels of light availability.

Salt marshes

Salt Marshes

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Salt marshes are coastal wetlands that are regularly flooded by seawater during high tides. They provide critical habitat for many species and help protect coastlines from erosion.

Ammonification

Ammonification is the conversion of organic nitrogen compounds into ammonia (NH3) by decomposer bacteria. It is an important step in the nitrogen cycle, where complex nitrogen-containing molecules are transformed into a form that can be used by plants.

Assimilation

Assimilation

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Assimilation refers to the process in which plants and animals take up nutrients from their environment and incorporate them into their own tissues for growth and development.

Denitrification

Denitrification is a natural process in which certain bacteria convert nitrates (NO3-) into nitrogen gas (N2), releasing it back into the atmosphere. It occurs primarily in oxygen-depleted environments, such as wetlands and soil.

Nitrification

Nitrification is the process by which ammonia (NH3) is converted into nitrite (NO2-) and then into nitrate (NO3-), primarily carried out by bacteria.

Percolation

Percolation refers to the process of water seeping through soil or rock layers and moving downward into the ground.

Endemic Species

Endemic species are those that are found exclusively in a specific geographic region and nowhere else on Earth. They have evolved unique adaptations to their local environment over time.

Allopatric speciation

Allopatric speciation occurs when a population of organisms is separated by a physical barrier, such as a mountain range or body of water, leading to the formation of new species over time

Sympatric speciation

Sympatric speciation occurs when new species arise from a single ancestral species without any physical barriers separating their habitats. This can happen through factors like polyploidy (having extra sets of chromosomes) or divergent selection pressures.

Industrial Stage

The industrial stage refers to a phase in a country's development characterized by high levels of industrialization, urbanization, and economic growth. Birth rates start to decline while life expectancy increases.

Industrialization

Industrialization refers to the process by which an economy transforms from primarily agricultural-based production to one dominated by manufacturing and industrial activity.

Post-industrial Stage

The post-industrial stage refers to a phase in a country's development where services become the primary economic activity instead of manufacturing. Birth rates continue to decline while life expectancy remains high.

Pre-industrial Stage

The pre-industrial stage is characterized by high birth rates and high death rates, resulting in slow population growth. It typically occurs when societies rely on subsistence agriculture as their primary means of survival.

Transitional Stage

The transitional stage refers to a phase in a country's development where it is experiencing rapid population growth and industrialization, but still has high birth rates and declining death rates.

Rain Shadow

A rain shadow refers to the dry area on the leeward side of a mountain range that receives significantly less rainfall compared to the windward side

Soil Horizons

Soil horizons are distinct layers or zones within soil profiles that have different physical and chemical properties. These horizons form as a result of various processes such as weathering, organic matter accumulation, leaching, and mineral deposition.

Stratosphere

The stratosphere is the layer of Earth's atmosphere located above the troposphere and below the mesosphere. It contains a high concentration of ozone, which absorbs most of the Sun's harmful ultraviolet (UV) radiation.

Convection Cells

Convection cells are circular patterns of air or water movement caused by the uneven heating and cooling of a substance. Hot air or water rises, creating an area of low pressure, while cooler air or water sinks, creating an area of high pressurE

Coriolis effect

The Coriolis effect is the apparent deflection of moving objects, such as air or water currents, caused by the rotation of the Earth. It causes moving objects to be deflected to the right in the Northern Hemisphere and to the left in the Southern Hemisphere.

Trade winds

Trade winds are prevailing easterly winds that blow from east to west between 30 degrees latitude (both north and south) and the equator. They are named so because they were historically used by sailors for trade routes across oceans.

Equinoxes

Equinoxes are two points in Earth's orbit around the Sun when day and night are approximately equal in length all over the world. They occur twice a year, marking the beginning of spring and autumn.

Solstices

Solstices are the two points in the year when the Sun reaches its highest or lowest point in the sky at noon, resulting in the longest and shortest days of the year. The summer solstice occurs around June 21st and marks the beginning of summer, while the winter solstice occurs around December 21st and marks the beginning of winter.

Upwelling

Upwelling is the process in which cold, nutrient-rich water from the ocean depths rises to the surface. This brings nutrients to the surface, supporting the growth of phytoplankton and attracting marine life.