Environmental Science

Ecosystem is a complex and interacting system of living organisms and their physical environment in a region or environment. It encompasses the flow of energy and the cycling of nutrients, with organisms, air, water, soils, and climate forming a dynamic network that sustains biodiversity and ecosystem services. The term is commonly used in biology, ecology, and environmental science.

Emission is the act or process of releasing something, such as light, gas, or signals, from a source. In science and industry it often refers to the discharge or radiating of energy or particles. The term can also describe a broadcast or transmission, especially of signals or information.

Endangered is an adjective describing species or things at risk of extinction or serious harm. It denotes vulnerability due to factors like population decline, habitat loss, or imminent danger, and is often used in ecological, legal, and safety contexts. The term implies urgency without immediate certainty of extinction.

Energy is the capacity to do work or produce change, typically arising from the motion, position, or structure of matter. It also refers to vigor or vitality in living beings or processes. In everyday use, it describes the usable power found in natural resources or the sustained enthusiasm someone shows for activities.

Erosion is the gradual wearing away of materials, typically soil, rock, or land, by wind, water, or ice. It describes a slow, progressive process driven by natural forces, often resulting in altered landscapes or coastline changes over time.

Eutrophication is the process by which a body of water becomes enriched with nutrients (especially nitrogen and phosphorus), triggering excessive algal growth and often depleting oxygen in the ecosystem. It results from natural aging and anthropogenic inputs, leading to degraded water quality, reduced biodiversity, and sometimes harmful algal blooms. The term is used in environmental science, ecology, and policy discussions about water management.

Evaporation is the process by which a liquid changes into a gaseous state, typically from surface molecules that gain enough energy to overcome intermolecular forces. It occurs at temperatures below the boiling point and can be sped by factors like heat, surface area, and airflow. This term is commonly used in science contexts but also appears in everyday discussions of drying or humidity.

Extinction is the state or process of a species, family, or larger group ceasing to exist. It can also refer to the end of something once widespread or practiced. In biology, extinction means no living members of a given taxon remain. The term emphasizes permanence and complete disappearance rather than temporary absence.

Extirpation is the act of rooting out and destroying something completely, often a plant or organism, or figuratively removing something undesirable. It denotes thorough eradication rather than partial elimination, and is used in scientific, medical, and literary contexts to describe complete extinction or removal.

Flux (n.) refers to a state of continuous change or movement, often used to describe variability, instability, or the flow of substances in chemistry and physics. It can describe ongoing processes, transitions, or flux in social or economic contexts. In specialized fields, it denotes the rate of flow or transfer within a system and is frequently paired with stability or equilibrium concepts.

Forest is a noun meaning a large area densely filled with trees and undergrowth. It can also refer to a wild, wooded region in a country or a large extent of trees within a landscape. The term often conveys a sense of natural ecosystem, shade, and a habitat for wildlife, and is frequently used in ecological, literary, and everyday contexts.

Fungus is a simple, non-vascular organism, often plant-like in appearance but living as a decomposer or parasite. It reproduces via spores and includes yeasts, molds, and more complex mushrooms. In everyday use, it refers to any member of the kingdom Fungi distinct from plants and animals. The term is widely used in biology, medicine, and horticulture to describe organisms with a threadlike mycelium and chitinous cell walls.

Habitat is the natural environment or locale in which a plant, animal, or organism typically lives, grows, and carries out its life processes. It denotes the space and conditions that support survival, reproduction, and daily activity, including food, shelter, and climate. The term is widely used in ecology, biology, and environmental science to describe living contexts and ecological niches.

Legislation is the process of making or enacting laws by a governing body. It refers to the statutes and the collective act of creating rules, typically through an official legislative procedure. As a noun, it denotes the body of law or the act of legislating itself, and is often discussed in political, legal, and public policy contexts.

Lithosphere is the rigid outer layer of the Earth, comprising the crust and uppermost mantle. It behaves as a solid shell that rides atop the asthenosphere, broken into tectonic plates. In geology, it is contrasted with the more ductile asthenosphere beneath and the deeper mantle and core.

Litter (noun) refers to scattered waste, such as papers or debris, in a public place, or a group of young animals housed together in a box or cage. It can also denote a layer or heap of fallen material. The term covers both the act of discarding trash and a collection of offspring in animal contexts. Usage spans everyday environments and specialized biological terminology.

Methane is a simple hydrocarbon gas, CH4, composed of one carbon atom bonded to four hydrogen atoms. It is the main component of natural gas and a potent greenhouse gas. Chemically, it is the simplest alkane, with a tetrahedral molecular geometry and a characteristic, relatively high energy content per unit volume.

A microcosm is a smaller, representative system that reflects the characteristics of a larger whole. In science or culture, it serves as a miniature model that mirrors the properties, dynamics, or diversity of its larger environment. The term emphasizes scale and proportional similarity across parts and processes.

Migration is the act or process of moving from one place to another, typically over long distances, often for settlement or seasonal reasons. It can refer to people, animals, or data migrations in computing. The term emphasizes movement, change of location, and often adaptation to new environments or systems.

Mitigation is the act of reducing severity, seriousness, or negative impact. In law, policy, and environmental contexts, it refers to actions taken to lessen harm or risk, such as reducing emissions or risk exposures. The term emphasizes preventive measures rather than remediation after the fact.

Native is an adjective meaning belonging to a person or thing by birth or origin, or naturally occurring in a place. It also describes someone who speaks as a mother tongue or a characteristic that feels inherent or intrinsic to someone. In linguistics or biology, it denotes original origin rather than adopted or acquired traits. Often used to contrast with non-native or foreign.”

Nitrogen is a chemical element with the symbol N. It is a colorless, odorless gas that makes up about 78% of Earth's atmosphere. In science contexts, it is discussed as a diatomic molecule (N2) and as a key element in biology and chemistry. Its name stems from Greek roots meaning ‘native’ or ‘nitre’ and reflects its historical discovery in nitre-bearing substances.

Parasitism is a relationship in which one organism benefits at the expense of another, typically by living on or in the host. It is a biological interaction that can affect health, behavior, and ecosystem dynamics. The term is used across sciences to describe various parasitic strategies, life cycles, and host–parasite interactions.