• GLOSSARY
• LIST OF ACRONYMS

GLOSSARY

accretion

An increase in land area because of sediments deposited by flowing water, especially along shores. If accretion keeps pace with sea level, then relative sea level rise has little impact on coastal wetlands. If sea level rises faster than organic matter and mineral deposits can accumulate (or if sediments are trapped behind dams) coastal land can be inundated, especially during spring tides when tides are highest, for example at full moon.

 

algal blooms

A population explosion of aquatic plants, often as the result of nutrient-rich runoff

 

anoxic

Without oxygen

 

aquatic

Living or growing in fresh water (in contrast with marine organisms found in salt water)

 

benthic

Bottom dwelling aquatic or marine organisms

 

biomass

The mass of living matter in an area (for example, grams of leaves and stems per cubic meter)

 

climate

The average weather (usually taken over a 30-year time period) for a particular region and time period.

 

dinoflagellate

A group of marine protozoans (single-celled organisms) with two flagella (whip-like filaments used for propulsion)

 

downscaling

Reducing the scale of  model output (e.g. from global to regional scale)

 

ecosystem

A unit of ecological analysis in which the physical and biological entities are considered in relation to each other, including energy flows and chemical feedbacks within a defined geographical area.

 

estuary

An estuary is in essence an interface: it is an area where a river meets the sea, where aquatic and marine life meet terrestrial life in marshes and wetlands, and where fresh water can still be influenced by tides. Estuaries can be defined by a salinity gradient that ranges from ocean salinity of 35.0 ppt (parts per thousand) to fresh water with salinity of less than 0.5 ppt.

 

eutrophication

An oversupply of the essential elements necessary for growth of tiny (microscopic) floating organisms can cause them to experience a population explosion that can quickly cover the surface of the water and block sunlight from larger plants growing underwater and deplete dissolved oxygen.

 

fauna

Animal life, especially the animals found in a particular region

 

flora

Plant life or vegetation of a region

 

general circulation model (GCM)

A global, three-dimensional computer model that describes the physical processes of the atmosphere and, in many cases, its interaction with the oceans and land surface. Used to generate predictions of how climate might change in response to increasing levels of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere.

 

geomorphology

The study of land configuration and evolution, primarily by geologists

 

greenhouse gases

Several gases that allow the earth’s atmosphere to trap solar radiation by absorbing heat radiated back from the surface of the earth. These gases include carbon dioxide, methane, water vapor, and nitrous oxide.

hypoxia

A condition of having low levels of oxygen, often too low to support animal life

invertebrate

An animal without a backbone

mesoscale models

Models that focus on a regional, rather than a global or local, level

 

nutrient

An element that is necessary for growth and replacement of tissues, such as nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium

 

oligotrophic

Underfed or with low nutrient levels

passerine

Birds of the order Passeriformes, including perching birds and warblers such as sparrows, finches, and jays

physiographic region

Area with similar land form

phytoplankton

Microscopic plants that float in aquatic or marine environments (fresh or salty water)

primary productivity

The products of photosynthesis, the primary conversion of the sun’s energy into chemical energy that can be stored as sugars or starches in plants. Net primary productivity is the amount of energy available after the plant has met its own energy needs.

sediment

Fine grains of solid material suspended in water or settled out of water to be deposited on land

surficial

Taking place on or relating to the surface of the earth

topography

The physical features, such as elevation, of an area or the representation of its features on a map

transpiration

Evaporation from plant foliage

trophic level

Position in a food web

turbidity

In water bodies, the condition of having suspended particles that reduce the ability of light to penetrate beneath the surface. Some rivers and streams are naturally more turbid than others; soil erosion and runoff into streams can increase turbidity.

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LIST OF ACRONYMS