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1. 2000 Watt The idea that a society aims for each of its 16. anaerobic without oxygen (e.g. water logged soil)
Society citizens to use a maximum of 2000 Watts 17. anaerobic forms methane, hydrogen sulfide and
per annum. decomposition ammonia (toxic gases)
2. 2010 Biodiversity To achieve by 2010 a significant reduction 18. anthropocentric debate is encouraged to reach a
Convention of the current rate of biodiversity loss at consensual, pragmatic approach to
the global, regional and national level as solving environmental problems
a contribution to poverty alleviation and
to the benefit of all life on Earth. 19. anthropocentric uses taxes, environmental regulation and
legislation
3. Abiotic Factors The non-living, physical factors that
influence the organisms and ecosystem — 20. anthropocentric argues that humans must sustainably
such as temperature, sunlight, pH, salinity, manage the global system
and precipitation. 21. aquaculture the farming of marine and freshwater
4. abstraction taking water out of the water table species which involves intervention in the
rearing process to enhance production
5. acute pollution arising from a one off event such as an oil
spill 22. aquaculture loss of habitats, pollution from feed,
issues fouling agents, antibiotics and other
6. adaptation attempts to manage the impacts of medicines added to fish pens, spread of
climate change and is the adjustment of disease, escaped species (GMOs)
natural or human systems in response to
actual or expected climatic stimuli or their 23. Aquaculture bag and rack, suspended culture, shrimp
effects, which either moderates harm or techology farming in pond systems, open net pens or
exploits beneficial opportunities cages, recirculating systems for fish
farming,
7. adaptation include flood defences, vaccination
strategies programmes, desalinisation plants and 24. aquatic relating to water i.e. ecosystems
planting crops in previously unsuitable dominated by water
climates 25. Aquatic floating debris, organic material, inorganic
8. adaptive varies from place to place and can be pollutants plan nutrients (nitrates and phosphates),
capacity dependent on financial and technological toxic metals, synthetic compounds,
resources. MEDCs can provide economic suspended solids, hot water, oil,
and technological support to LEDCs. radioactive pollution, pathogens, light,
noise and biological pollutants (invasive
9. adaptive a group of closely related species that species)
radiation have rapidly evolved from one common
ancestor, usually on islands where empty 26. aquifers a permeable rock containing water
niches exist 27. The a dynamic system that has undergone
10. advection the wind-blown movement of water (as atmosphere changes throughout geological time
clouds) 28. atmosphere nitrogen, oxygen, carbon dioxide, argon,
11. Aerobic using oxygen contains water vapour and other trace gases

12. Aesphenosphere the upper part of the mantle - acts like a 29. Bad and rack Shellfish can be sustainably cultivated
molten plastic system using "bag and rack" systems. These are
exposed at low tide when they are able to
13. aesthetic the value from seeing and enjoying beauty be managed. They are "seeded" with
arguments for young (juveniles) from hatcheries and
preservation don't require extra feed as they simply
14. albedo the relectiveness of a surface. White is filter-feed.
high albedo and reflects more solar
radiation.
15. alternative A stable state that is the result of a series
stable state of feedback loops and random events
which give rise to a particular set of biotic
and abiotic conditions. A particular system
may be able to exist under several
alternative stable states but will be the
result of the random events and feedback.
30. Baseline Study Ecological baseline studies include
surveys to identify patterns in vegetation,
special sites and unique habitats,
important (keystone) species, rare (red-
listed) species.
Socio-economic baseline studies will
identify the communities that will be
impacted by the development, their
viewpoints and the economic impacts
(both positive and negative) of the
development.
31. Base of aquatic photosynthesis by phytoplankton
food chains
32. Bioaccumulation the build-up of persistent or non-
biodegradable pollutants within an
organism or trophic level because they
cannot be broken down
33. Biochemical a measure of the amount of dissolved
oxygen demand oxygen required to break down the
organic material in a given volume of
water through aerobic biological activity.
An indirect measure of the amount of
organic matter within a sample
34. Biodegradable capable of being broken down by natural
biological processes
35. Biodegradation uses oxygen which can lead to anoxic
of organic conditions and subsequent anaerobic
material decomposition
36. Biodiversity The total diversity of living systems. This
includes the diversity of species, habitat
diversity and genetic diversity.
37. biodiversity biogeographic region that is both a
hotspot significant reservoir of biodiversity and is
threatened with destruction.
38. Biogeography the study of the distribution of species
and their evolution in relation to
geographical distribution
39. Biomagnification the increase in concentration of persistent
or non-biodegradable pollutants along a
food chain.
40. Biome a collection of ecosystems sharing similar
climatic conditions
41. Biosphere The part of the Earth in habitated by
organisms that extends from the upper
parts of the atmosphere to deep within
the Earth's crust.
42. Biotic Factors The interactions between the organisms—
such as predation, herbivory, parasitism,
mutualism, disease, and competition.
43. Biotic index indirectly measures pollution by assaying
the impact on species within the
community according to their tolerance,
diversity and relative abundance
44. Bottom the bar is dragged along the sea bottom
trawling/dredging to disturb (and thus destroy) the habitat.
This is used to catch shellfish such as
scallops and bottom feeding fish. It is
very destructive!
45. Captive breeding These are designed to try to save what
programmes survives, ideally for subsequent release
back into the wild. In extreme situations,
the species may actually be extinct in
the wild.
46. Carbon Capture Carried out by carbon dioxide being
and Storage compressed, transported and stored
(CCS) permanently underground (geological
sites used as repositories) or chemically
fixed to form a carbonate
47. Carbon Dioxide Was 350 parts per million (ppm) in late
Gas (CO2) 1980s; in 2016 in reached 400 ppm
(0.04%)
48. Carbon Dioxide protecting and enhancing carbon sinks
Removal (CDR) through land management, e.g. REDD;
strategies using biomass as a fuel source; using
carbon capture and storage (CCS),
enhancing carbon dioxide absorption by
the oceans through either fertilising
oceans with compounds of nitrogen,
phosphorous and iron to encourage the
biological pump, or increasing
upwellings to release nutrients to the
surface
49. Carbon sinks stores in a system containing a lot of
carbon, e.g. a forest or a peat bog
50. Carrying Capacity The maximum population size that a
given area can support sustainably.
51. Carrying capacity the maximum number of species, or
"load", that can be sustainably
supported by a given area
52. Causes of Over-intensive shifting cultivation;
Tropical Timber extraction; Over-collection of
Deforestation fuelwood for cooking and heating, and
for making charcoal;
Encroachment and clearance by
landless peasant farmers; Clearance for
pasture or crops, promoted by cheap
land and government tax and financial
incentives to encourage international
investment - this includes Biofuels like
Palm Oil and Sugar Cane
53. Charismatic these are species that might be deemed
species / Flagship "sexy" for publicity's sake and therefore
species used to promote the protection of an
area but thus protecting many other
species.
54. chemical breaks down chemical bonds, chemically 64. Commensalism A symbiotic relationship in which one
weathering modifies the rock minerals, and produces organism benefits and the other one is
new compounds; the most common types neither harmed nor helped
are oxidation, carbonation and hydrolysis. 65. community a group of populations living and
Lichens can chemically weather rock. interacting with each other in a common
55. Chemosynthetic produce their own food without sunlight habitat
organisms using the energy stored in chemical bonds, 66. community The total respiration rate for all the
e.g. denitrifying bacteria respiration populations within that system.
56. Choice of food Influenced by socio-economic, cultural, 67. Comparing Use of media, speed of response,
production ecological, political and economic factors effectiveness diplomatic constraints, financial resources,
system of political influence
57. chronic arising from the long lasting release of a Conservation
pollution pollutant with the effects lasting for a long Organisations
time 68. Competition This is the interaction between organisms
58. Circular an alternative to a traditional linear that are trying to attain the same resources.
economy economy (make, use, dispose) in which we This might be food but it could also be for
keep resources in use for as long as mates, territory, nesting sites, etc.
possible, extract the maximum value from 69. condensation transformation of water vapour to water
them whilst in use, then recover and liquid
regenerate products and materials at the
end of each service life. 70. Conservation Habitat conservation, species conservation
Approaches or a mixed approach
59. CITES Convention in International Trade in
Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and 71. contour following the contours of the land when
Flora. ploughing ploughing to avoid soil washing down hill
72. Controversial ethical issues of biorights, rights of
Aims to prevent species threatened with species indigenous cultures and international
extinction because of international trade. harvesting, e.g. conservation legislation
Parties act by banning commercial seals and
international trade in an agreed list of whales
endangered species (Appendix-I listed 73. Convention on First signed in Rio at Earth Summit (1992)
species) and by regulating and monitoring Biological and uses an ecosystem approach (an
trade in others that might become Diversity integrated strategy for the management of
endangered or whose trade needs to be (CBD) resources)
regulated to ensure control over trade in
74. core the centre of the earth
Appendix-I species (Appendix-II listed
species). 75. cornucopian believe that man will always find a way out
60. climate the average of the weather over a of any difficulties, either political, scientific
relatively longer period of time, usually or technological and believe resource
about 30 years of data is required to give replacement will solve resource depletion
the climate of an area. 76. Crude Birth the number of births per 1000 of the
61. climate describes how the atmosphere behaves Rate (CBR) population
over relatively long periods of time 77. Crude Death the number of deaths per 1000 of the
(usually an average over at least 30 years) Rate (CDR) population
62. climax There is no one climax community, but 78. Crust the cooled rock that floats on the mantle -
community rather a set of alternative stable states for divided into plates
a given ecosystem. These depend on the 79. Current the flow of water in a water body such as a
climatic factors, the properties of the local lake, sea or ocean.
soil and a range of random events that can
80. dead zones in both oceans and fresh water where there
occur over time.
is not enough oxygen dissolved in the
Historically it is thought of as the
water to support life
community of organisms at the end point
of succession but succession never really 81. Decomposer Feeds on dead and decaying material, thus
ends! recycling the nutrients.
63. Closed System Exchanges only energy across its
boundary
82. deep place intrinsic importance on nature for the 97. Ecological An ecological footprint (EF) is the area of
ecologist humanity of man and believe ecological laws Footprint land and water required to sustainably
should dictate human morality provide all resources at the rate at which
83. demand for population increase, irrigation, they are being consumed and the assimilation
freshwater industrialisation of all wastes by a given human population. If
limited due to the EF is greater than the area available to
the population, this is an indication of
84. denitrification the conversion of nitrogen containing unsustainability.
compounds into Nitrogen gas. This happens
in water logged soil by anaerobic bacteria 98. Ecological is the area of land and water required to
footprint provide all resources and assimilate all the
85. Density- Limiting factors related to how densely (EF) waste for a given population. If the EF is
dependent packed a population is, e.g. competition greater than the area of land and water
Limiting available to that population, then it is not
Factors sustainable.
86. Density- Limiting factors unrelated to population 99. Ecological include pyramids of numbers, biomass and
independent density such as natural disasters and weather pyramids productivity and are quantitative models that
Limiting change. are usually measured for a given area and
Factors time
87. Designing size, shape, edge effects, corridors, 100. Ecology The study of interactions among and between
Protected proximity to potential human influence organisms in their abiotic environment.
Areas criteria
101. Economic may include ecotourism, the financial benefits
88. Direct effect intolerance of aquatic organisms to changes arguments of bioprospecting (to find medically useful
of acid in pH; coniferous forests drop needs and for drugs etc) and the value to humanity of the
deposition have reduced immunity to pests and diseases preservation ecosystem services
89. disjunct when one species or sister species are 102. Economic Probably means that physical infrastructure is
distribution distributed in two very different locations, water not in place to ensure that clean safe water is
e.g. New Zealand and Chile scarcity available to the population
90. Doubling the number of years it will take a population 103. ecosystem a community and the physical environment
Time (DT) growing at a constant rate to double 70 / % with which it interacts.
natural increase
104. Edge effects the effects of human impact around the
91. Dry ash and dry particles of acids boundaries of a protected area. The idea is to
deposition reduce the amount of "edge" therefore a
92. Dynamic whether or note something has the status of circle is the optimal shape
concept of natural capital, and the marketable value of 105. EFs vary due to lifestyle choices, productivity of food
natural that capital varies regionally and over time production systems, land use and industry
capital and is influenced by cultural, social,
economic, environmental, technological and 106. Endemic native or restricted to a particular area
political factors, e.g cork, uranium, lithium e.g. the Bali Starling is found only on the
island of Bali. It is endemic to Bali. It is a Bali
93. ecocentric integrates social, spiritual and environmental endemic species.
dimensions into a holistic ideal
107. Energy energy security and independence
94. ecocentric prioritises biorights and emphasizes the choices
importance of education and encourages affect
self-restraint in human behaviour
108. Energy availability, sustainability, scientific and
95. ecocentric puts ecology and nature as central to choices technological developments, cultural
humanity and emphasizing a less materialistic influenced attitudes, politcal, economic and
approach to life with greater self-sufficiency by environmental factors
of societies
109. Energy can limit growth in energy demand and
96. ecological trophic cascades, food chain effects, efficiency contribute to energy security
arguments ecosystem services (water cycles, flood and
for protection) conservation
preservation
110. energy Energy security depends on adequate, 121. eutrophication when lakes, estuaries and coastal
security reliable and affordable supply of energy waters receive inputs of nutrients
that provides a degree of independence. (nitrates and phosphates) which results
A society has a reliable (self-produced) in excess growth of plants and
source of energy. phytoplankton. This results in over
A country may have its own energy supply production and death and
but how safe is that supply? decomposition uses up oxygen in
Also considered within the domains of water body leading to anoxic
energy security, is the access to energy that conditions (dead zones)
the population has. 122. Evaporation transformation of water liquid to water
111. environmental a line joining location A to B which displays vapour
gradient a change in certain abiotic conditions, e.g. 123. evapotranspiration the combination of evaporation from
going up a mountain leads to a change in the earth's surface and transpiration
altitude, temperature, air pressure and UV from plants
radiation
124. Evolution is a gradual change in the genetic
112. Environmental An EIA is a process undertaken prior to a character of populations over many
Impact decision being made about a proposed new generations, achieved largely through
Assessment development. The aim is to ensure the mechanism of natural selection
(EIA) sustainable development. EIAs provide
decision-makers with information in order to 125. extinct no longer survives on Earth
consider the environmental impact of a 126. extinct in the wild only survives in zoos or botanic
project. gardens
113. Environmental Environmental indicators are anything that 127. Extrapolation estimating or concluding something by
Indicators you can define to describe and measure a assuming that existing trends will
component of the environment. continue, e.g. extrapolate total biomass
114. environmental a world view or paradigm that shapes the for an area from the samples taken
value system way an individual or group of people 128. Factors for Red population size, degree of
perceive and evaluate environmental issues, List specialisation, distribution,
influenced by cultural, religious, economic reproductive potential and behaviour,
and socio-political contexts. geographic range and degree of
115. Ester Boserup Danish economist who worked for the fragmentation, quality of habitat,
United Nations. She studied the agricultural trophic level, probability of extinction
methods in various societies, from so called 129. falling fish stocks developments in fishing equipment and
primitive societies to more advanced ones. and damage to changing methods of fishing
What she suggested was that agricultural habitats
productivity does not determine 130. Fertile soils require a significant time to develop
population, but rather that population through succession. they are
growth drives improvements in agricultural considered a non-renewable resource.
productivity, i.e. "necessity is the mother of
invention". 131. First law of the principle of conservation of energy,
thermodynamics which states
116. estimating direct methods include actual counts (e.g. that energy in an isolated system can
abundance of by aerial photography) and sampling; be transformed but cannot be created
motile indirect methods include capture-mark- or
organisms recapture with Lincoln Index destroyed.
117. estimating use of quadrats, actual counts, measuring 132. flooding an overflow of water onto land that is
abundance of population density, percentage cover and normally dry
non-motile percentage frequency
organisms 133. Flow a movement into or out of a system
and between stores in a system
118. Estimating dry mass and extrapolate (energy or matter)
biomass
134. Flows in carbon consumption (feeding), death and
119. estimating controlled combustion and extrapolate cycle decomposition, photosynthesis,
energy respiration, dissolving and fossilization
120. ethical intrinsic value of the species or the
arguments for utilitarian value
preservation
135. Flows in nitrogen fixation by bacteria and lightning, 151. greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide, methane and
nitrogen cycle absorption, assimilation, consumption gases water vapour that absorb infrared radiation,
(feeding), excretion, death and (GHGs) and which lead to an increase in the mean
decomposition, denitrification by bacteria global temperature
136. food waste in lack of refrigeration, transport 152. Gross Gross secondary productivity is the total
LEDCs infrastructure, knowledge of markets, secondary energy or biomass assimilated by consumers
communication and information productivity and is calculated by subtracting the mass of
availability (GSP) = fecal losses from the mass of food consumed
137. food waste in regulatory standards which require food Assimilation (Food eaten - fecal loss)
MEDCs to be discarded by expiry dates; over 153. groundwater water held underground in the soil,
purchasing and overselling (multi-packs) permeable rocks or cracks in the rock under
138. Fossil fuels contribute to the majority of humankind's ground.
energy supply 154. Habitat A habitat is the environment in which a
139. freezing transformation of water liquid to ice species normally lives

140. Frequency and depends on the local topography, 155. Habitat Habitat diversity refers to the range of
severity of climate, population density and fossil fuel diversity different habitats in an ecosystem or biome.
smog use 156. Habitat / these are zones which link together
141. Freshwater turbidity, flow velocity, pH, temperature, Wildlife protected areas. they may be physical
abiotic factors dissolved oxygen corridors bridges or simply wildlife friendly zones such
as a hedge. They can increase the effective
142. Freshwater contamination and unsustainable size of the habitat available to an organism
supplies limited abstraction
by 157. halogenated compounds which contain atoms from Group
gases VII of the periodic table such as chlorine,
143. Fundamental Describes the full range of conditions and fluorine or bromine.
niche resources in which a species could
survive and reproduce 158. Herbivory The consumption of a plant species by an
animal
144. Genetic Genetic diversity refers to the range of
diversity genetic material present in a population 159. Higher harvesting from these may be a cultural
of a species. trophic choice
levels
145. geomorphology the study of the shapes of the Earth's
surface 160. Highest coastlines, shallow seas where upwellings
rates of and nutrient enrichment occur
146. glaciers A slowly moving mass or river of ice aquatic
formed by the accumulation and productivity
compaction of snow on mountains or occur here
near the poles.
161. Human ozone, carbon dioxide, water vapour,
147. Global warming is an increase in the mean global activities are methane
temperature and leads to increased altering
frequency and intensity of extreme gases
weather events; potential long term
changes in climate and weather patterns; 162. Human habitat destruction, introduction of invasive
rise in sea level Activities species, pollution, overharvesting, hunting
Causing and climate change
148. Goods They are physical items, e.g. timber, fibre, Species
food, minerals. These may include Extinctions
renewable,such as timber or ozone and
non-renewable resources such a fossil 163. Human burning fossil fuels, deforestation,
fuels or metal ores. activities urbanisation, agriculture
impacting
149. Governmental eg UNEP United Nations Environment carbon and
Organisations Programme nitrogen
(in cycles
conservation)
164. Human deforestation, intensive grazing, urbanisation,
150. Greenhouse a natural phenomenon of the atmosphere, activities certain agricultural practices such as
effect trapping solar radiation in the reducing soil irrigation and monocultures
troposphere and keeping the Earth at a fertility
livable temperature for living systems. include
165. Hydrological The water cycle - how water moves 181. insolation the amount of solar radiation reaching a
cycle around the Earth's systems given area
166. ice caps ice covering a large surface, especially in 182. International IPCC, NAPAs, UNFCCC
polar regions Efforts
167. Identification keys, comparison to herbarium specimens 183. invasive a species not native to an area which is
tools or museum collections, genetic profiling, species causing a problem to local species
scientific expertise, apps for matching bird 184. IPCC Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change
song etc, field guides
185. Isolated A hypothetical concept in which neither
168. Impacts of changes in water availability, distribution System energy nor matter is exchanged across the
climate change of biomes and crop growing areas, loss of boundary
biodiversity and ecosystem services,
coastal inundation, ocean acidification, 186. Isolation of barriers such as mountain formation; changes
and damage to human health populations: in rivers, sea level change, climatic change or
Causes plate movements
169. "Improved" improvements to boats, fishing gear (use
technology in of trawler bags), detection of fisheries via 187. J-Shaped A population growth curve showing
fishing satellites and sonar Curve exponential growth with no carrying
capacity reached.
170. Increased planting of buffer zones around land
sustainability of suitable for food production to absorb 188. Keystone Keystone species maintain the structure and
food nutrient runoff species integrity of an ecological community. They
production - have a much larger influence on the
clean-up and community structure than other species, e.g.
restoration starfish, sea otters

171. Increased monitoring and control of standards and 189. K-strategist K-strategist species tend to produce a small
sustainability of practices of multi-national and national number of offspring, which increases their
food food corporations by governmental and survival rate and enables them to survive in
production - intergovernmental bodies long-term climax communities.
controlling 190. leaching minerals dissolved in water moving through
release soil (down)
172. Increasing reduce meat consumption, increase 191. Limiting Biotic or abiotic factors which lead to a limit
sustainability of consumption of organically grown and Factors in the population growth.
food locally produced terrestrial foods, 192. Lincoln (n1 x n2) / nm where n1 is number caught in
production - improving the accuracy of food labels to Index first sample, n2 is number caught in second
altering human assist in consumer choice sample and nm is number caught in second
activity sample that were marked
173. Indicator species that can be indicative of polluted 193. Lower provide greater yield per unit area, are
species waters (and other systems) trophic greater in quantity, lower in cost and may
174. Indirect effect increases solubility of metals such as levels require fewer resources
of acid aluminium which cause white froth to form 194. Management quotas, designation of marine protected
deposition in fish gills leading to suffocation strategies areas (exclusion zones), restriction of types
175. Indirect leaching of plant nutrients so soil has for fisheries and sizes of fishing gear (including mesh size
nutrient effect decreased fertility of nets)
of acid 195. mantle molten rock between the core and the crust
deposition of the Earth's surface
176. Inequitable the water resources are not equally 196. Marine salinity, pH, temperature, dissolved oxygen,
distribution available to all - only to the rich abiotic wave action
177. Infant mortality number of infants below 5 who die per factors
rate 1000 of the population 197. Mass tectonic plate movements, super-volcanic
178. infiltration the process by which water enters the extinction eruption, climatic changes (including drought
ground surface of the soil causes and ice ages), and meteorite impact
179. Inputs to soil leaf litter, inorganic matter from parent 198. Maximum equivalent to the net primary or net
system material, precipitation, energy sustainable secondary productivity of a system
180. Insolation solar radiation yield
199. Maximum Commercial fisheries use the concept of 216. Natural is the yield obtained from natural resources
sustainable MSY (Maximum sustainably yield) to Income (not financial)
yield estimate how much fish they can take from 217. Natural the rate (%) at which the population changes
the seas. It is the highest amount that can be Increase Rate (CBR - CDR) / 10
taken each year without permanently (NIR)
decreasing the amount of natural capital.
218. Natural Anything that the Earth supplies which can
200. melting transformation of ice/snow to water Resources be used by humans, e.g. coal, iron ore,
201. Methane Biomass is composted and the gas forests, water, air
digester (methane) produced is burned to generate 219. natural is an evolutionary driving force, sometimes
steam and thus energy to turn turbines. selection called "survival of the fittest". In this context,
202. Millenium The Millenium Ecosystem Assessment was a the meaning of "fitness" is understood to be
Ecosystem collaborative research project that "best-suited to the niche"
Assessment measured 24 indicators of ecosystems and 220. Natural 1) Variation exists and there is
(MEA) their services. Selection overproduction so competition for
203. mitigation attempts to reduce the causes of climate stages resources; 2) Some individuals are thus fitter
change and is the use of technology and than others; 3) Fitter individuals reproduce
substitution to reduce resource imputs and more successfully; 4) Offspring inherit
emissions per unit of object genes that give advantage
204. mitigation of policy, legislation and changes in consumer 221. Negative Feedback which is stabilizing and occurs
unsustainable behaviour feedback when the output of a process inhibits or
exploitation loop reverses the operation of the same process
205. mitigation include reduction and/or stabilisation of in such a way as to reduce change — it
strategies GHG emissions and their removal from the counteracts deviation.
atmosphere; include reduction in energy 222. Net Primary Gross primary productivity minus respiration
consumption, reduction of emissions of Productivity losses (GPP - R)
oxides of nitrogen and methane from (NPP)
agriculture, use of alternatives to fossil fuels, 223. Net calculated by subtracting respiratory losses
geo-engineering secondary (R) from GSP (NSP = GSP - R).
206. Mitigation Designed to limit the impact of the project productivity
Strategy and protect the environment. (NSP)
207. Model A simplified version of reality that can be 224. Niche A niche describes the particular set of
used to understand how a system works and abiotic and biotic conditions and resources
to predict how it will respond to change to which an organism or population
208. motile organism capable of movement responds
225. nitrogen the conversion of nitrogen gas (N2) into
209. Mutualism Symbiotic relationship in which both
fixation compounds containing nitrates
partners benefit
226. Nitrogen Gas About 79%
210. NAPAs National Adaptation Programmes of Action
(N2)
211. National Strategy is how a country intends to fulfill
227. Non- International - WWF or Greenpeace;
Biodiversity the objectives of the CBD, while the
governmental community based e.g. Palani Hills
Strategy and National Biodiversity Action Plan comprises
organisations Conservation Council or Vatakanal Trust
Action Plan the concrete actions to be taken to achieve
(NGOs) (In
(NBSAP) the goals of the strategy
conservation)
212. Natural natural resources that can supply a natural
228. non-motile organism that does not move
Capital income of goods or services
229. Non-point Pollution which arises from numerous widely
213. Natural resource
Source dispersed origins
capital
Pollution
214. Natural tangible products such as timber, crops, fruit
230. Non- Either irreplaceable or can only be
capital - etc that have "value"
renewable replaced over geological time scales, for
goods
natural example fossil fuels, soil and minerals
215. Natural ecosystem services such as climate capital
capital - regulation that have "value"
231. no-plough replanting through stubble of old crop
services
cultivation
232. nutrient and The ways that nutrients/minerals and 248. Physical water the climate in that region is dry and/or the
energy energy move through an ecosystem. These scarcity water is being over-extracted for human
pathways tend to become more complex as a system use, either for domestic, agricultural or
undergoes succession. Often represented industrial use. This may be for industrial
by a food web. uses or irrigation.
233. ODSs function halogen atoms (such as chlorine) increase 249. physical involves the mechanical breakdown of
destruction of ozone in a repetitive cycle, weathering pieces of rock into smaller pieces e.g. frost,
allowing more UV radiation to reach the salt, insolation and biological weathering,
Earth 250. Plate the surface of the Earth is divided into
234. Open System Exchanges both energy and matter across tectonics crustal, tectonic plates, that have moved
its boundary throughout geological time. This has led to
235. outputs from uptake by plants, soil erosion the creation of both land bridges and
soil system physical barriers with evolutionary
consequences.
236. Oxygen Gas About 20%
(O2) 251. plume location where a column of magma rises up
to the surface - not associated with a plate
237. Ozone halogenated organic gases such as boundary
depleting chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) are used in
substances aerosols, gas-blown plastics, pesticides, 252. Point Source Pollution arising from a single clearly
(ODSs) flame redardants and refrigerants (e.g. in Pollution identifiable site
air conditioning units) 253. Pollution the addition of a substance or an agent to
238. palaeontology the study of fossils an environment through human activity, at a
rate greater than that at which it can be
239. Parasitism Symbiotic relationship in which one species rendered harmless by the environment, and
is benefited and the other is adversely which has an appreciable effect on the
affected organisms in the
240. parent the rock from which soil forms locally environment.
material 254. Pollution reducing use, or using alternatives to, fossil
241. Per capita land falls due to urbanisation, degradation of management fuels; lobbying results in international
for food soil resources and growing populations strategy - acid agreements and national governments to
production deposition - reduce pollutant production.
242. percentage an estimate of the area in a given frame altering
cover size (quadrat) covered by the plant in human activity
question 255. Pollution spreading limestone in acidified lakes or
243. percentage the number of occurences divided by the management recolonisation of damaged systems but the
frequency number of possible occurences; e.g. if a strategy - acid scope of these measures is limited; repair
plant occures in 5 out of 100 squares in a deposition - and restoration of damaged limestone
grid quadrat, then the percentage cleap up and buildings
frequency is 5% restoration

244. percolation the process of water filtering through the 256. Pollution regulating and monitoring release of
soil management pollutants, e.g. through use of scrubbers or
strategy - acid catalytic converters that may remove sulfur
245. persistent one that is not biodegradable and deposition - dioxide and oxides of nitrogen from coal
pollutant continues to exist in the environment controlling burning powerplants and cars
without intervention from humans release
246. Photochemical These are reactions speeded up by the 257. Pollution consume less fossil fuels e.g. purchase of
reaction solar energy of sunlight (UV radiation) and management energy efficient technologies, use of public
in the case of air pollution, create strategy - air transport, walking or cycling
secondary pollutants from the primary pollution -
pollutants formed by the combustion of altering
fossil fuels human
247. photosynthesis the conversion of water and carbon behaviour
dioxide in chloroplasts, using light energy,
to organic matter
258. Pollution reforestation, regreening and conservation 267. precautionary principle where there is a threat of
management areas to sequester carbon dioxide; cloud significant reduction or loss of
strategy - air seeding to wash pollution out of biological diversity, lack of full
pollution - atmosphere. scientific certainty should not be
clean up and used as a reason for postponing
restoration measures to avoid or minimize
259. Pollution regulating and reducing pollutants at point such a threat
management of emission through government 268. Precipitation the release of water from clouds
strategy - air regulation or taxation; use of catalytic - this is a transfer process and not
pollution - converters, regulating fuel quality by a transformation
controlling governments; pedestrian zones and 269. precipitation Rain, snow, sleet or hail - water
release of charging for driving in city centres that moves from a gaseous state,
pollutant condenses and falls to the
260. Pollution recycling refrigerants and changing ground
management consumer behaviour 270. Predation The consumption of one species
strategy for (the prey) by another (the
ODS - altering predator).​
human activity
271. Primary pollutants active on emission / release e.g.
261. Pollution Only time will renew the ozone layer once CO2
management ODS eventually break down.
strategy for 272. Primary pollutants from carbon monoxide (CO), carbon
ODS - Clean combustion of fossil dioxide (CO2), black carbon /
up and fuels soot (C), unburned hydrocarbons,
restoration oxides of nitrogen (NOx), oxides
of sulphur (usually SO2)
262. Pollution developing alternatives to gas blown
management plastics, halogenated pesticides, 273. Primary pollutants Sulphur dioxide (SO2) and Nitrous
strategy for propellants and aerosols; international leading to Acid oxides (NOx)
ODS - legislations such as Montreal Protocol and Deposition
controlling Kigali Amendment; developing non- 274. primary producers in most ecosystems convert light
release propellant alternatives energy into chemical energy in
263. pollution reduction in consumption and composting the process of photosynthesis
management of food waste 275. Producers (autotrophs) are typically plants or algae that
strategy - SDW produce their own food using
- altering photosynthesis and form the first
human trophic level in a food chain.
behaviour 276. Productivity the conversion of energy into
264. pollution reclaiming landfills, using SDW for waste biomass for a given period of
management to energy programmes, implementing time
strategy - SDW initiatives to remove plastics from the 277. Productivity:Respiration The ratio between how
- clean up and Great Pacific garbage patch Ratio productive a system is and how
restoration much respiration is happening. As
265. pollution governments create legislation to a system approaches its climax
management encourage recycling and reuse initiatives community, gross productivity
strategy - SDW and impose taxes for SDW collection and equals respiration rates and so
- controlling on disposable items P:N approaches 1.
release 278. properties of soil mineral and nutrient content,
266. Postive Destabilizing feedback which will tend to drainage, water holding capacity,
Feedback loop amplify changes and drive the system air spaces, biota, potential to hold
toward a tipping point where a new organic matter, primary
equilibrium is adopted. productivity
279. Pyramid of represents the standing stock or storage of 293. Reintroduction Following captive breeding, a species
biomass each trophic level, measured in units such as programmes may be released into the wild to form or
grams of biomass per square metre (g m-2) supplement a wild population. This sort
or Joules per square metre (J m-2) (units of of programme will only work if the
biomass or energy). reason for the organisms extinction no
280. Pyramid of flow of energy through a trophic level, longer exists.
productivity indicating the rate at which that stock/storage 294. Renewable Can be generated and/or replaced as
is being generated natural capital fast as it is being used. It includes living
281. Pyramids of graphically display the numbers of organisms species and ecosystems that use solar
numbers at each trophic level in a food chain energy and photosynthesis, as well as
non-living items, such as groundwater
282. quadrat a square with a defined size that can be used and the ozone layer
to sample an area. The size can vary, for
example, from 10cm2 for lichen sampling to 295. Resilience (of a The tendency of a system to avoid
1km2 for tree sampling system) tipping points and maintain stability.

283. qualitative measured by the quality of something rather 296. Resource The fundamental niches of two species
data than its quantity, e.g. appearance of location Partitioning overlap and through competition
develop a narrower realized niche
284. quantitative measuring, or measured by the quantity of
data something rather than its quality, e.g. the 297. Respiration the conversion of organic matter into
number of species carbon dioxide and water in all living
organisms, releasing energy.
285. random an area is divided into a grid and coordinates
sampling are selected using a random number 298. r-strategist r-strategist species are those that
generator produce large numbers of offspring so
they can colonize new habitats quickly
286. ratites ostrich like birds that share a common and make use of short-lived resources
ancestor, including, rhea, emu, kiwi, cassowary
and extinct elephant birds and moa. 299. sampling the strategy designed to collect
strategy sufficient, appropriate data for a study
287. Realized Describes the actual conditions and resources that provides a valid representation of
niche in which a species exists due to biotic the system being studied
interactions
300. Secondary arising from primary pollutants
288. Reasons for range of resources used; human ingenuity, pollutants undergoing physical or chemical change
difficulty in meaning that humans are able to substitute e.g. tropospheric ozone in
estimating one material for another; variations in photochemical smog
human lifestyles; importation of resources;
carrying technological developments that give rise to 301. Secondary sulphuric acid (H2SO4) and Nitric Acid
capacity continual changes in the resources required pollutants of (HNO3) formed from primary pollutants
and that are available for consumption acid deposition by reaction with water

289. REDD UN collaborative programme on reducing 302. Second law of the entropy of a system increases over
emissions from deforestation and forest thermodynamics time. Entropy is a measure of the amount
degradation in developing countries of disorder in a system. An increase in
entropy arising from energy
290. REDD+ a mechanism that has been under negotiation transformations reduces the energy
by the United Nations Framework Convention available to do work.
on Climate Change since 2005, to mitigate
climate change by enhancing forest 303. Services Ecosystems may provide life-supporting
management in developing countries. services such as water replenishment,
flood and erosion protection.
291. Red tide occur in coastal eutrophication
blooms 304. shelter belts woodlands planted along the margins of
fields
292. reduced soil erosion, toxification, salination and
soil fertility desertification 305. Simpson N(N-1) / Sum of n(n-1) where N is the
results from Diversity Index total number of organisms of all species
(D) found and n is the number of individuals
of a particular species
306. Site description A detailed description, giving the
location and biotic and abiotic conditions
of the ecosystem / community being
studied.
307. smog is a complex mixture of primary and 321. Species A group of organisms that share common
secondary pollutants of which tropospheric characteristics and that interbreed to
ozone is the main pollutant. Generally produce fertile offspring
caused by burning of fossil fuels 322. Species and aesthetic. ecological, economic, ethical,
(transportation and industry) but also by Habitat social reasons
deforestation and burning e.g. in North India preservation
or Indonesia. arguments
308. social the rights of particular groups of people who 323. Species is a function of the number of species and
arguments believe they have a cultural right to the diversity their relative abundance
for preservation of some land.
preservation 324. Species Species diversity in communities is a product
Some religions and societies ascribe value to diversity of two variables: the number of species
the Earth and thus prioritise its protection. (richness) and their relative proportions
(evenness).
309. society an arbitrary group of individuals who share
some common characteristics such as 325. Species number of species in a community and is a
geographical location, cultural background, richness useful comparative measure
historical timeframe, religious perspective, 326. S-Shaped A population growth curve showing
etc. Curve exponential growth followed by slowed
310. soil organic materials like manure, mulches and growth until carrying capacity is reached.
conditioners lime (calcium carbonate) to increase the pH 327. Stable the condition of a system in which there is a
311. soil soil conditioners (such as organic materials equilibrium tendency
conservation and lime), wind reduction techniques (wind for it to return to the previous equilibrium
measures breaks and shelter belts), cultivation following disturbance
techniques (terracing, contour ploughing, 328. Steady-state the condition of an open system in which
strip cultivation), avoiding use of marginal equilibrium there
lands are no changes over the longer term, but in
312. Soil profile the layers (horizons) seen in a vertical cut which there may be oscillations
through soil in the very short term.

313. soil system organic matter, organisms, nutrients, 329. stochastic having a random probability distribution
storages minerals, air and water 330. Store Usually rectangles in a diagram and
314. soil texture diagram to compare the composition of soil represent a temporary or permanent store
triangle with sand, clay and loam percentages of matter in a system, e.g. a glacier in the
identified water system/cycle

315. Solar sun's energy 331. stratosphere second layer (above troposphere) where
radiation "good" ozone exists protecting us from sun's
ultraviolet radiation
316. Solid includes household waste such as paper,
domestic glass, metal, plastics, organic (kitchen or 332. Stratospheric 03 protects living systems from the negative
waste (SDW) garden), packaging, construction debris, and ozone effects of ultraviolet radiation from the sun
clothing 333. Stratospheric UV breaks apart O2 molecules and these
317. Sources of renewable energy in the form of solar, Ozone oxygen atoms react with O2 to form O3. The
energy with biomass, hydropower, wind, wave, tidal and formation O3 molecules are also broken apart by UV
lower geothermal; but then reform in a dynamic equilibrium
carbon nuclear power is a non-renewable resource 334. stream flow the flow of water in streams, rivers and
emissions other water channels
318. Sources of runoff, sewage, industrial discharge and solid 335. strip planting alternating crops in a field to
freshwater domestic waste cultivation reduce nutrient depletion and the chance of
pollution pests
319. sources of rivers, pipelines, atmosphere and activities at 336. stubble the dead lower stem and roots of a
marine sea (operational and accidental discharges) harvested crop that remain in the land,
pollution holding the soil in place
320. Speciation the formation of new species when 337. sublimation the transformation of ice directly to water
populations of a species become isolated vapour. (Sublimation is actually the process
and evolve differently from other of solid - gas in any substance).
populations.
338. Succession Succession is the process of change over 353. Terrestrial temperature, light intensity, wind speed,
time in an ecosystem involving pioneer, abiotic factors particle size, slope, soil moisture,
intermediate and climax communities. drainage, mineral content
339. surface water that flows over the surface of land 354. Testing aquatic pH, temperature, suspended solids
runoff after melting or precipitation systems (turbidity), metals, nitrates and phosphates
340. Sustainability the use and management of resources that 355. thermal occur due to a lack of air movement
allows full natural replacement of the inversions when a layer of dense cool air is trapped
resources exploited and full recovery of the beneath a layer of less dense, warm air.
ecosystems affected by their extraction and This causes concentrations of air
use pollutants to build up near the ground
341. Sustainability Influenced by factors such as scale, instead of being dissipated by "normal" air
of terrestrial industrialisation, mechanisation, fossil fuel movements
food use, seed, crop and livestock changes, 356. Thomas published An essay on the principle of
production water use, fertilisers, pest control, Malthus population, arguing that populations tend
pollinators, antibiotics, legislation, and levels to grow geometrically while the resources
of commercial versus subsistence food that support them grow arithmetically thus
production populations would outstrip the resources,
342. Sustainable Sustainable development is development leading to widespread famine, disease
Development meets the needs of the present without and war.
compromising the ability of future 357. Threatened umbrella term for Critically Endangered,
generations to meet their own needs. Endangered and Vulnerable species
343. Sustainable use of only natural income 358. Time lag The speed of response to a change in a
use of system.
renewable 359. Tipping Point the minimum amount of change within a
natural system that will destabilize it, causing it to
capital reach a new equilibrium or stable state
344. Symbiosis individuals living on or in individuals of 360. Total Fertility the average number of children per
another species where one or both species Rate (TFR) woman living through childbearing age
use the others resources. Includes
mutualism, commensalism and parasitism. 361. transect a straight line along which samples can be
taken
345. System a way of visualizing a complex set of
Approach interactions which may 362. Transfer a flow with a change in location (water
be ecological or societal. entering a lake)

346. systematic samples are taken at regular intervals, e.g. 363. transfers in soil biological mixing, leaching
sampling every 3m 364. Transformation a flow with a change in the chemical
347. technocentric a pro-growth agenda is deemed necessary nature or state of matter, e.g.
for society's improvement condensation in the water cycle (water
vapour to water liquid)
348. technocentric scientific research is encouraged in order to
form policies and to understand how 365. transformations decomposition, weathering, nutrient
systems can be controlled, manipulated or in soil cycling
changed to solve resource depletion 366. transpiration the process by which water moves
349. technocentric largely optimistic view of the role humans through a plant and evaporates from the
can play in improving the lot of humanity stomata (pores) in the plants' leaves

350. technocentric argues that technological developments 367. tricellular the model which describes 3 large
can provide solutions to environmental model convection cells moving air from the
problems equator towards the poles in each
hemisphere of the earth that explains the
351. terracing creating terraces (shelves) that step distribution of precipitation and
down/up the land with walls to support the temperature that influence structure and
soil from slipping relative productivity of different terrestrial
352. terrestrial relating to the earth i.e. ecosystems biomes
occurring on land
368. trophic level the position that an organism occupies in a 382. water case Nile River - International Water Rights -
food chain, or the position of a group of studies potential conflict; Aral Sea - Cash crops and
organisms in a community that occupy the poor water management; Lake Baikal -
same position in pollution and endagered species; Great
food chains. Lakes - overfishing, invasive species,
369. troposphere first layer (nearest Earch) of atmosphere pollution; Mono Lake water diversion;
where weather happens (0-10 km) Colorado River - Dams and over extraction;
Salton Sea - Agricultural run-off; Dead Sea -
370. Tropospheric is a secondary pollutant formed when water security and over extraction.
ozone (bad) oxygen molecules react with oxygen atoms
that are released from NOx in the presence 383. water drip irrigation, variable flush toilets, timed
of sunlight conservation showers instead of baths, tap aerators to
strategies reduce water flow out of high pressure taps,
371. tropospheric plant damage (crops and forests), irritates use of grey water / storm runoff / reclaimed
ozone causes eyes, creates respiratory illnesses, damage wastewater (already used for washing) for
to fabrics and rubber materials. gardens and toilets, dry toilets, switching off
372. Types of Bottom trawling / dredging, gill nets, long tap while brushing teeth, metering water,
fishing lines, purse seine nets, traps and pots fining companies for leaks and wasted water
technology 384. Water using alternatives to inorganic fertilizers and
373. Types of organic or inorganic substances, light, pollution detergents
pollution sound or management
thermal energy, biological agents or strategy -
invasive species, and may derive from a altering
wide range of human activities including the human
combustion of fossil fuels. activity
374. UNFCCC United Nations Framework Convention on 385. Water waste water treatment to remove nitrates
Climate Change pollution and phosphates
375. Unsustainable If the EF exceeds the land available management
strategy -
376. Unsustainable use of natural income plus the natural controlling
use of capital reserves release of
renewable pollutant
natural
capital 386. Water removal of mud from eutrophic lakes and
pollution reintroduction of plant and fish species;
377. UV radation damages human living tissues, increasing management using aerators.
on humans the incidence of cataracts, mutation during strategy -
cell division, skin cancer and other removing
subsequent effects on health pollutants
378. UV radiation damages photosynthetic organisms, from the
on biological especially phytoplankton, which form the environment
productivity basis of aquatic food webs. and
379. Valuation of Use of Valuation - Resources that have a restoring
Natural price such as marketable goods, ecological ecosystems
Capital functions, recreational function; and non- 387. water reservoirs, redistribution, desalinisation,
use of valuation - resources that have supplies artificial recharge of aquifers and rainwater
intrinsic value (the right to exist), future uses enhanced by harvesting; artificial glaciers, cloud seeding
(medicines, potential gene pool), existence 388. weather the conditions is a given place at any one
values (Amazon Rainforest), present for time. It is measured by the temperature, air
future generations. pressure, precipitation (rain/snow etc.), wind
380. "Value" of may be aesthetic, cultural, economic, speed, humidity.
Natural environmental, ethical, intrinsic, social, 389. weather describes the conditions in the atmosphere
Capital goods spiritual or technological over a short period of time
and services
390. Wet rain and snow of acids
381. Waste landfills, incineration, recycling, composting deposition
disposal
options 391. wild fisheries capture fisheries
392. wind breaks planting trees, using rock lines
393. zero-waste aims to reduce the amount of SDW going to an incinerator to zero, with the rest of the "SDW", reduced (ie never
policy produced), recycled or re-used.
394. Zonation Zonation refers to changes in a community along an environmental gradient due to factors such as changes in
altitude, latitude, tidal level or distance from shore (coverage by water).