Glossary

biota n.

The combined flora (plants) and fauna (animals) of a region.

calcareous adj.

Composed of, containing, or characteristic of calcium carbonate, calcium, or limestone; chalky.

coastal fringe forest n.

A forest that grows along the edge, periphery, or border of a coastal area.

constitutent adj.

Serving as part of a whole; a component of something.

dike n.

A barrier blocking a passage, especially for protection.

diminutive adj.

Extremely small in size; tiny.

diptocarp forest n.

Subtropical or tropical broadleaf forest.

ecosystem n.

A community of organisms, interacting with each other, plus the environment in which they live and react. [more]

ecotone n.

A transitional zone between two communities containing the characteristic species of each.

evolutionary adaptation n.

A gradual process over long periods of time in which a species changes into a different and usually more complex or better form in order to adapt, live or survive in its changing environment.

fire suppression n.

The process of trying to stop fires from starting.

fire-dependent forest n.

A forest that survives and develops itself by having periodic forest fires that help destroy the undergrowth and vines near the forest floor and germinate seeds for new growth.

inaccessible adj.

Unable to be reached.

inconspicuous adj.

Not readily noticed or seen; hidden.

limestone n.

A common sedimentary rock consisting mostly of calcium carbonate, CaCO₃, used as a building stone and in the manufacture of lime, carbon dioxide, and cement.

morphology n.

The form and structure of an organism or one of its parts.

nutrient n.

A substance that provides nourishment essential for growth and the maintenance of life.

overharvest v.

To excessively gather a crop or plant to the point where its existence is endangered.

oxymoron n.

The conjunction of words which, at first, seem to be contradictory or in disagreement with one another, but express a truth or dramatic effect, such as “cool fire,” “deafening silence,“ “wise folly,“ or “poor little rich girl.“

paradox n.

A statement that seems contradictory or absurd but is actually valid or true. [more]

pocosin n.

An upland swamp (land that has saturated or nearly saturated soils most of the year) usually on higher ground or a hill located in the coastal plain of the southeastern United States.

post-glacial adj.

Relating to or occurring during the time following a glacial period. [more]

precolonial adj.

Of, relating to, or being the period of time before colonization of a region or territory.

regeneration n.

Renewal of forest or tree crop by natural or artificial means.

rhizome n.

A horizontal, usually underground stem that often sends out roots and shoots from its nodes (a knot or bulge on the plant root or shoot). Buds that form at the joints produce new shoots and can become new plants; also called rootstalk or rootstock.

savanna n.

A flat grassland that may or may not contain scattered clumps of trees.