Intro to Habitat

What does the term 'Aquatic' refer to?

Related to water.

What is an 'Aquifer'?

A subterranean layer of rock permeable to water.

What does the term 'Bathypelagic Sub-zone' mean?

Part of the oceanic zone habitat below 1,000 meters.

Define 'Bogs'.

Wetland areas with clay soil where water will not seep into ground.

What are 'Coniferous Trees'?

Trees which keep their green needles year-round and contain sap to prevent freezing.

What is a 'Continental Shelf'?

Area of land underneath the sea and near a continent.

What are 'Crustaceans'?

Invertebrate aquatic animals such as crab, lobster, or shrimp.

What are 'Cultural Services' in ecological terms?

Non-material benefits provided by a habitat, such as tourism and recreation.

Define 'Deciduous Forests'.

Habitat in mid-latitude areas covered in broad-leaved trees that shed leaves during winter.

What does 'Deforestation' mean?

Clearing of forest land for agriculture or urban development.

What are 'Deserts'?

Habitats with annual rainfall of less than 10 inches and temperatures over 110°F (43°C).

What is an 'Ecosystem'?

An interconnected biological system made up of living organisms and their physical environment.

Explain the 'Epipelagic Sub-zone'.

Part of the oceanic zone habitat which ranges from the ocean surface to about 200 meters deep.

What is a 'Glacier'?

A mass or river of ice formed by compressed snow and ice.

Define 'Grasslands'.

Habitat made up of flat plains covered in few trees, with temperatures ranging from -40 to 100°F.

What is a 'Habitat'?

An area in which animals, plants, and other organisms live.

What does 'Habitat Degradation' mean?

The act of polluting a habitat until it can no longer support life.

What does 'Habitat Destruction' refer to?

The complete loss of habitat through direct human involvement.

Define 'Habitat Fragmentation'.

Breaking up habitats to the point where they can no longer remain functional.

Explain 'Management' in ecological contexts.

The process of maintaining and caring for a habitat so it continues to function properly.

What is 'Market Hunting'?

Commercial harvesting and selling of wildlife, often leading to population declines.

What are 'Marshes'?

Wetland areas constantly filled with water.

What is the 'Mesopelagic Sub-zone'?

Part of the oceanic zone habitat which ranges from the epipelagic sub-zone to about 1,000 meters deep.

Define 'Neritic Zone'.

Marine habitat extending from the coast to the continental shelf.

What does 'Oceanic Zone' refer to?

Aquatic habitat in the ocean beyond the continental shelf.

What is 'Permafrost'?

The frozen state of the soil for the majority of the year.

Define 'Phytoplankton'.

Microscopic marine algae.

What does 'Preservation' mean in ecological terms?

The non-use of natural resources with little-to-no human intervention.

What are 'Provisional Services'?

Products obtained from a habitat used daily, such as food, water, wood, and oil.

What are 'Regulating Services'?

Natural processes that a habitat regulates, like predator-prey population control.

Define 'Restoration' in an ecological context.

Taking an area that has been degraded and rebuilding it.

What are 'Supporting Services'?

Natural processes that help maintain the conditions of the Earth.

What is a 'Taiga'?

Habitat located below the tundra, covered in coniferous forest.

What does 'Terrestrial' mean?

Related to soil or dry land.

Define 'Tropical Rainforest'.

Habitat with annual rainfall between 50 to 260 inches, high humidity, and a tree canopy.

What is 'Tundra'?

Northern-most terrestrial habitat that is treeless and has frozen subsoil year-round.

What does 'Urban Sprawl' mean?

Mass expansion of urban areas, rapidly destroying the surrounding environment.

Define 'Wetlands'.

Habitat where shallow pools of water form due to poor drainage.