Glossary

bald (ecology) n.

An area lacking a natural or usual covering.

biome n.

A major community of plants and animals having similar life forms or morphological features and existing under similar environmental conditions (prevailing climate).

canopy n.

The uppermost layer in a forest, formed by the crowns of the trees.

climate n.

The meteorological conditions, including temperature, precipitation, and wind, that characteristically prevail in a particular region.

climatology n.

The meteorological study of climates and their phenomena.

compressed adj.

Pressed together or into less volume or space; flattened; squished together.

deciduous adj.

Shedding or losing foliage (leaves) at the end of the growing season.

depression n.

An area that is sunk below its surroundings; a hollow or hole.

elevation n.

Height on the earth's surface above sea level.

evolution (biology) n.

A theory in biology that animals and plants have their origin in other preexisting types and that the distinguishable differences are due to modifications in successive generations. [more]

geology n.

The scientific study of the origin, history, and structure of the earth.

glaciation n.

A period during which the polar ice-caps extend towards the equator, covering large areas of the Earth; the alteration of a land surface by a massive movement of ice.

hardwood n.

Broad-leaved, flower-bearing trees or their timber. Hardwood trees are deciduous trees, except in the warmest regions. [more]

metamorphism n.

The process by which rocks are altered in composition, texture, or internal structure by extreme heat, pressure, and the introduction of new chemical substances.

mosaic n.

A patchwork of vegetation communities within a landscape as determined by environmental conditions, usually associated with varying colors; for example, in the fall when the leaves change color in the trees, you get a forest mosaic.

overthrust n.

Rock or sheets of rock that fold, or thrust over one another, due to high pressure and results in younger rock layers to be located under older layers; rock layers that have broken and thrust up over one another.

province (ecology) n.

An area of land, less extensive than a region, having a characteristic plant and animal population.

topography n.

The surface features of a place or region; the character, natural features, and configuration of land; terrain.

understory n.

The layer formed by the leaves and branches of the smaller trees under the forest canopy; all the plants growing under the main canopy of the pine trees.

vegetate v.

To grow or sprout as a plant does.