Science 8 - Unit 2 - Vocab

Biome

a region of Earth where the climate determines the types of plants that live there

Tundra

has low average temperatures and very little precipitation

Taiga

also called the boreal forest, this has low average temperatures like those in the tundra but more precipitation

Coniferous Trees

Trees that have evergreen, needle-like leaves (pine cones)

Desert

a very dry biome that receives less than 8 cm (3 inches) of rain yearly

Grassland

a biome that has grasses and few trees

Deciduous Trees

broadleaf trees that drop their leaves as winter approaches

Wetland

an area of land that is saturated, or soaked, with water for at least part of the year

Estuary

a partially enclosed body of water formed where a river flows into an ocean

Matter

any substance that has mass and takes up space

Energy

the ability to do work

Law of Conservation of Energy

energy is neither created nor destroyed

Law of Conservation of Mass

mass is neither created nor destroyed

Energy Pyramid

a tool that can be used to trace the flow of energy through an ecosystem

Water Cycle

the movement of water between the oceans, atmosphere, land and living things

Nitrogen Cycle

the movement of Nitrogen between the environment and living things

Carbon Cycle

the movement of Carbon through organisms and between organisms and the physical environment

Eutrophication

the process in which organic matter and nutrients slowly build up in a body of water

Succession

the slow development or replacement of an ecological community by another ecological community over time

Pioneer Species

the first organisms to live in an uninhabited area

Biodiversity

the number and variety of species that are present in an area

Urbanization

human population and growth in and around cities

Stewardship

the responsible management of a resource

Conservation

the protection and wise use of natural resources