Ecosystem - Glossary

Key Words

Definitions

Abiotic

Non Living items in an ecosystem such as rocks, soil and water

Acid Rain

Caused by industrial pollution and affects ecosystems - especially areas of Coniferous woodlands

Afforestation

The large scale planting of trees

Biodiversity

Great numbers of plants and animals living in an ecosystem

Biomass

The total mass of plant and animal life occurring in an ecosystem

Biome

A very large type of ecosystem such as a Tropical Rainforest

Biotic

The living parts of an ecosystem

Boreal

Another name for coniferous woodlands

Carnivore

An animal or plant that eats animals

Coniferous Woodland

Forests consisting of trees such as conifers (spruce and pine)

Deforestation

The cutting down of large areas of forests

Ecosystem

This includes the living communities of plants and animals and what they depend on ie - climate and soil

Food web/chain

A hierarchy of plants and animals relying on each other for food

Habitat

The natural home of a plant or animal species

Horizon

A layer within a soil

Humus

Decomposed organic matter found in the soil

Hydrology

Water movements both on the surface and underground

Latosol

The red and yellowish soil found under tropical rainforests

Photosynthesis

The process by which plants transfer carbon dioxide/water into growth which also gives out oxygen

Podsol

The type of soil found under coniferous woodlands

Savanna Grassland

An area containing grasslands found mainly in tropical areas

Slash and burn

A method of clearing forest by primitive people for subsistance farming

Soil

Loose material found below the surface which is a mixture of minerals, organic material, air and water

Tropical Rainforest

An area of dense jungle which grow in hot wet climates near to the equator

Sustainable

Preserved and able to use for many years to come - It does not do any lasting damage