AdaptationAny feature of the organism or its parts, which is of definite significance in allowing that organism to exist under

the conditions of its habitat, is called adaptation.

Animal EcologyIt is the interpretation of animal behaviour under natural conditions.
Applied EcologyThe wild life management, range management, forest conservation,
biological control, animal husbandry, pollution control are the various aspects dealt with in the applied ecology.
Avian EcologyEcology of birds.

Biogeochemical CyclesMore or less circular pathways, through which the mineral

elements, including all the essential elements of the protoplasm, circulate in the biosphere from environment to
organisms and back to the environment.
Biological ClockIt is the rhythmic occurrence of processes taking place within the
organisms.
Community EcologyStudy of distribution of animals in various habitats.
Community EcologyStudy of living components of a community, major concerns of
community ecology are (a) nature of interdependence between individuals of different species (b) causes of diversity in
a community (c) reasons of a community located in a particular habitat and (d) change and interaction among
different communities.
CytoecologyCytological details in a species in relation to population in different
environmental conditions.
EcadAn ecad is a population of individuals, which although belong to the same genetic stock, but differ markedly in
external characters such as size, shape and colour etc.
Ecological Niche and Ecological EquivalentEcological niche of an organism is the
physical space occupied by it, its functional role in the community i.e. tropic position, its position in environment and
the conditions of existence. Organisms that occupy the same or similar ecological niches in different geographical
regions are known as Ecological Equivalents.
Ecosystem EcologyRelation and interaction of both plant and animal communities with their total environment.
EcotypePopulation of individuals of a species, which are genetically different.
EnvironmentThe sum of all factors affecting the organisms is termed as the environmental complex.
Environmental Biology or EcologyLiving organisms are inseparably related with their
physical and biological surroundings. This interrelationship of organisms with their physical and biotic
environments is studied under a separate discipline of science, which is known as environmental biology or
ecology.
FactorA factor is an external force, substance or condition that affects organisms In any way.
FaunaFauna is a collective term used for all the animals in a given region or geological period.
FloraCollective term for all the plants big and small found in a given region or geological

period.

Geographic Ecology or Eco-geographyStudy of geographical distribution of organisms.

HabitatThe place where an organism lives, eats and reproduces is known as its habitat.
The habit of an organism actually represents a particular set of environmental conditions suitable. for its successful
growth.
Insect EcologyIt is the ecology of insects.
LimnologyIt is the study of freshwater bodies like ponds, lakes and their organisms.
Mammalian EcologyEcology of mammals.
OceanographyStudy of marine habitat and organisms.
Palaeo-ecologyOrganisms and their environment in geological past.
PedologyStudy of fossils, in particular their acidity alkalinity, humus content, mineral
contents, soil types etc., and their influence on the plant and animal life.
Population and CommunityA population represents a group of individual organisms of
the same species in a given area. A community is a group of populations of different species in a given area.

Population EcologyIt includes the study of population, its growth, competition, means
of dispersal etc.
Production Ecology and Ecological EnergeticThese branches of ecology deal with the
mechanisms and quantity of energy conversion and energy flow through different tropic levels in food chain
and rate of increase in organic weight of the organisms in space and time. The productivity is measured both in
gross and net values. The total organic production is called the gross production, and the actual gain, i.e. the gross
production minus the loss in respiration is termed as the net production, It includes the proper management of
different ecosystems so that the maximum yield can be obtained. e.g. agriculture and horticulture.
Radiation EcologyThe gross effect of radiation and radioactive substances over the
environment and living organisms.
Space EcologyIt is the modern subdivision of ecology. It is concerned with the development
of those ecosystems, which support life of man during space flights or during extended
exploration of extraterrestrial environment.
SpeciesA uniform interbreeding population spread over time and space.
Terrestrial EcologyIt is the study. of biomes and the organisms distributed therein. It
can further be differentiated into (i) forest ecology, (ii) cropland ecology and (iii)
grassland ecology.
VegetationCollection and continuous growth of plants in space is called vegetation. Thus
vegetation is the totality of plant growth including large or small populations of each
species intermixed in a region.
Bioticenvironmental factors that are nonliving components of ecosystems.
AbundanceThe total number of organisms in a biological community.
Acid precipitationThe deposition of wet acidic solutions or dry acidic particles from the
air and includes acid fog, snow, etc.
AerosolsSmall particles or droplets suspended in a gas.
Agricultural revolutionThe discovery of techniques for domesticating animals and
cultivating crop plants some 10,000 years ago.
AlpineThe high, treeless bio-geographic zone of mountains that consists of slopes above
the timberline.
AquifersPorous, water-bearing layers of sand, gravel and rock below the earths surface;
reservoirs for groundwater.
AutotrophyAn organism that synthesizes food molecules from inorganic molecules by
using an external energy source, such as light energy.
BioaccumulationThe selective absorption and concentration of molecules by cells.
BiocideA broad-spectrum poison that kills a wide range of organisms.
Biodegradable plasticsPlastics that can be decomposed by microorganisms.
Bio-geographical areaAn entire self-contained natural ecosystem and its associated
land, water, air and wildlife resources.
Biological communityThe populations of plants, animals and microorganisms living
and interacting in a certain area at a given time.
Biological pestsOrganisms that reduce the availability, quality or value of resources
useful to humans.
Bio-magnificationIncrease in concentration of certain stable chemicals (e.g., heavy metals
or fat-soluble pesticides) in successively higher tropic levels of a food chain or web.
Biomass fuelOrganic material produced by plants, animals or microorganisms that can
be burned directly as a heat source or converted into gaseous or liquid fuel.
Biosphere reservesOur world heritage sites identified by the lUCN as worthy for national
park or wildlife refuge status because of high biological diversity or unique ecological
features.

Biotic potentialThe maximum reproductive rate of organisms, given unlimited resources

and ideal environmental conditions.
Birth controlAny method used to reduce births, including celibacy,. delayed marriage,
contraception; methods that prevent implantation of fertilized zygotes and induced
abortions.
Blue revolutionNew techniques of fish farming that may contribute as much to human
nutrition as miracle cereal grains but also may create social and environmental
problems.
CarcinogensSubstances that cause cancer.
CarnivoresOrganisms that mainly prey upon animals.
Carrying capacityThe maximum number of individuals of any species that can be
supported by a particular ecosystem on a long-term basis.
ChloroplastsChlorophyll-containing organelles in eukaryotic organisms; sites of
photosynthesis.
CompostingThe biological degradation of organic material under aerobic (oxygen-rich)
conditions to produce compost, a nutrient-rich soil amendment and conditioner.
ConifersNeedle-bearing trees that produce seeds in cones.
ConsumerAn organism that obtains energy and nutrients by feeding on other organisms
or their remains.
DeciduousTrees and shrubs that shed their leaves at the end of the growing season.
DecomposersFungi and bacteria that break complex organic material I into smaller
molecules.
DesalinizationRemoval of salt from water by distillation, freezing or, ultra filtration.
DesertificationDenuding and degrading a once-fertile land, initiating a desert-producing
cycle that feeds on itself and causes long-term changes in soil, climate and biota of an
area.
DiversityThe number of species present in a community (species richness), as well as the
relative abundance of each species.
EcosystemA specific biological community and its physical environment interacting in an
exchange of matter and energy.
Endangered speciesA species considered to be in imminent danger of extinction.
EndemismA state in which species are restricted to a single region.
EnergyThe capacity to do work (i.e., to change the physical state of motion of an object).
Energy pyramidA representation of the loss of useful energy at each step in a food
chain.
EnvironmentThe circumstances or conditions that surround all organisms or group of
organisms as well as the complex of social or cultural conditions that affect an individual
or community.
Environmental ethicsA search for moral values and ethical principle in human relations
with the natural world.

EnvironmentalismActive participation in attempts to solve environmental pollution and

resource problems.
Environmental resistanceAll the limiting factors that tend to reduce population growth
rates and set the maximum allowable population size or carrying capacity of an
ecosystem.
Environmental resourcesAnything an organism needs that can be taken from the
environment.
Environmental scienceThe systematic, scientific study of our environment as well as
our role in it.
EstuaryA bay or drowned valley where a river empties into the sea Fresh water mingling
with salt water brings in sediment and nutrient and creates a gradient of salinity that
makes estuaries among the most diverse and biologically productive ecosystems on
earth.
EutrophicationAn increase in biological productivity and ecosystem succession caused
by human activities.
Exhaustible resourcesGenerally considered the earths geologic endowment: minerals,
non-mineral resources, fossil fuels and other materials present in fixed amounts in the
environment.
Exponential growthGrowth at a constant rate of increases per unit of time; can be
expressed as a constant fraction or exponent.
ExtinctionThe irrevocable elimination of species; can be a normal process of the natural
world as species out-compete or kill off others or as environmental conditions change.
Family planningControlling reproduction; planning the timing of birth and having as
many babies as are wanted and can be supported.
FaunaAll of the animals present in a given region.
FloodplainsLow lands along riverbanks, lakes and coastlines subjected to periodic
inundation.
FloraAll of the plants present in a given region.
Food chainA linked feeding series; in an ecosystem, the sequence of organisms through
which energy and materials are transferred, in the form of food, from one tropic level
to another.
Food webA complex, interlocking series of individual food chains in an ecosystem.
Gene banksStorage for seed varieties for future breeding experiments.
Geometric growthGrowth that follows a geometric pattern of increase, such as 2, 4,
8,16, etc.
GrasslandsBiological communities of grasses, seasonal herbaceous flowering plants and
open savannas.
Green revolutionDramatically increased agricultural production brought about by
miracle strains of grain.
HabitatThe place or set of environmental conditions in which a particular organism lives.
HazardousDescribes chemicals that are dangerous, including flammables, explosives,
irritants, sanitizers, acids and caustics; may be relatively harmless in diluted
concentrations.
HealthA state of physical and emotional well being the absence of disease or ailment..
HerbicideA chemical that kills plants.
HerbivoreAn organism that eats only plants.
HeterotopyAn organism that is incapable of synthesizing its own food and, therefore,
must feed upon organic compounds produced by other organisms.
Human resourcesHuman wisdom, experience, skill, labour and enterprise.
Industrial revolutionAdvances in science and technology that have given us power to
understand and change our world.
InsecticideA chemical that kills insects.

Jet streamsPowerful winds or currents of air that circulate in shifting flows; similar to
oceanic currents in extent and effect on climate.
Keystone speciesA species that determines the essential characteristics of a community.
Land rehabilitationA utilitarian program to repair damage and make land useful to
humans.
LandfillsLand disposal sites for solid waste; operators compact refuse and cover it with
a layer of dirt to minimize rodent and insect infestation, wind-blown debris and leaching
by rain.
MarineLiving in or pertaining to the sea.
MatterSomething that occupies space and has mass.
MetabolismAll the energy and matter exchanges that occur within a living cell or organism;
collectively, the life processes.
MineralA naturally occurring, inorganic, crystalline solid with definite chemical
composition and characteristic physical properties.
MitigationRepairing or rehabilitating a damaged ecosystem or compensating for damage
by providing a substitute or replacement area.
MutationA change, either spontaneous or by external factors, in the genetic material of
a cell; mutations in the gametes (sex cells) can be inherited by future generations of
organisms.
NatalityThe production of new Individuals by birth, hatching, germination, or cloning.
Natural resourcesGoods and services supplied by the environment.
Non-governmental organizations (NGOs)A term referring collectively to pressure and
research groups, advisory agencies, political parties, professional societies and other
groups concerned about environmental quality, resource use, and many other issues.
Non-renewable resourcesMaterials or services from the environment that are not
replaced or replenished by natural processes at a rate comparable to our use of the
resource; a resource depleted or exhausted by use.
OmnivoreAn organism that eats both plants and animals.
Organic compoundsComplex molecules organized around skeletons, of carbon atoms
arranged in rings or chains; includes bio molecules, molecules synthesized by living
organisms.
OzoneA highly reactive molecule containing three oxygen atoms; a dangerous pollutant
in ambient air. In the stratosphere, however, ozone forms an ultraviolet absorbing
shield that protects us from mutagenic radiation.
PastureEnclosed domestic meadows or managed grazing lands.
PathogenAn organism that produces disease in a host organism, disease being an alteration
of one or more. metabolic functions in response to the presence of the organism.
PestAny organism that reduces the availability, quality or value of a useful resource.
PesticideAny chemical that kills; controls, drives away or modifies the behaviour of a
pest.
Photochemical oxidantsProducts of secondary atmospheric reactions.
PhotosynthesisThe biochemical process by which green plants and some bacteria capture
light energy and use it to produce chemical bonds. Carbon dioxide and water are
consumed while oxygen and simple sugars are produced.
Pioneer speciesIn primary succession on a terrestrial site, the plants, lichens and microbes
that first colonize the site.
PlanktonPrimarily microscopic organisms that occupy the upper water layers in both
freshwater and marine ecosystems.
PollutionTo make foul, unclean, dirty; any physical, chemical or biological change that
adversely affects the health, survival, or activities If living organisms or that alters
the environment in undesirable ways.

PopulationA group of individuals of the same species occupying a given area.

Population explosionGrowth of a population at exponential rates to a size that exceeds
environmental carrying capacity; usually followed by population crash.
Primary successionAn ecological succession that begins in an area where no biotic
community previously existed.
ProducerAn organism that synthesizes food molecules from inorganic compounds by
using an external energy source; most producers are photosynthetic.
RadioactiveAn unstable isotope that decays spontaneously and releases subatomic
particles or units .of energy.
Rehabilitate landA utilitarian program to make an area useful to humans.
Renewable resource- Resources normally replaced or replenished by natural processes;
resources not depleted by moderate use; examples include solar energy, biological resources such
as forests and fisheries, biological organisms and some biogeochemical cycles.
ResilienceThe ability of a community or ecosystem to recover from disturbances.
SalinityAmount of dissolved salts (especially sodium chloride) in a given volume of water.

StalinizationA process in which mineral salts accumulate in the soil, killing plants;
occurs when soils in dry climates are irrigated profusely.
Secondary successionSuccession on a site where an existing community has been
disrupted.
Sheet erosionPeeling off thin layers of soil from the land surface; accomplished primarily
by wind and water.
SlumsLegal but inadequate multifamily rooming houses; some are custom built for rent
to poor people, others are converted from some other use.
SmogThe term used to describe the combination of smoke and fog in the stagnant air of
London; now often applied to photochemical pollution products or urban air pollution of any
kind.
Species diversityThe number and relative abundance of species present in a community.
Sustainable developmentAn improvement in human well-being that allows us to meet
the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet
their own needs.
Tectonic platesHuge blocks of the earths crust that slide around slowly, pulling apart
to open new ocean basins or crashing ponderously into each other to create new, larger
landmasses.
TerracingShaping the land to create level shelves of earth to hold water and soil; requires
extensive hand labour or expensive machinery but it enables farmers to farm very steep
hillsides.
Threatened speciesWhile still abundant in parts of its territorial range, this species has
declined significantly in total numbers and may be on the verge of extinction in certain regions or
localities.
.
Mountainsthe highest-altitude edge of forest that marks the beginning of the treeless
alpine tundra.
TopsoilThe first true layer of soil; layer in which organic material is mixed with mineral
particles; thickness ranges from a meter or more under virgin prairie to zero in some deserts.

Transitional zoneA zone in which populations from two or more adjacent communities
meet and overlap.
Tropic levelAn organisms feeding status in an ecosystem.
Urban areaAn area in which a majority of the people are not directly dependent on
natural resource-based occupations.
UrbanizationAn increasing concentration of the population in cities and a transformation
of land use to an urban pattern of organization.
Vulnerable speciesNaturally rare organisms or species whose numbers have been so
reduced by human activities that they are susceptible to actions that could push them into
threatened or endangered status.
Water loggingWater saturation of soil that fills all air spaces and causes plant roots to
die from lack of oxygen; a result of over-irrigation. Weather- Description of the physical conditions
of the atmosphere (moisture, temperature, pressure, and wind).
WetlandsEcosystems of several types in which rooted vegetation is surrounded by standing
water during part of the year.
WildlifePlants, animals and microbes that live independently of humans; plants, animals
and microbes that are not domesticated.
WoodlandA forest where tree crowns cover less than 20 percent of the ground; also called
open canopy.
Zero population growth (ZPG)The numbers of births at which people are just replacing
them; also called the replacement level of fertility.