Ecoscenarios

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Ecoscenario Noun

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[ee-koh-si-nair-ee-oh]

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Ecoscenario

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A realistic, evidence-based story about a specific ecosystem used to test ideas and evaluate potential solutions for environmental challenges.

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Example: This image shows a pond ecoscenario, a snapshot of an ecosystem with living things (fish, plants) and non-living things (water, soil, log).

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Ecosystem Noun

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[ee-koh-sis-tuhm]

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Ecosystem

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A biological community of interacting organisms and their physical environment, functioning together as a single, complex unit.

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Example: This diagram shows an ecosystem where energy from the sun flows to plants, then to animals, and finally to decomposers, with heat lost at each step.

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Populations Noun

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[pop-yuh-ley-shuhns]

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Populations

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Groups of individuals belonging to the same species that live in the same geographical area at the same time.

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Example: This image shows a population, which is a group of organisms of the same species, like these penguins, living together in the same area.

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Abiotic Factors Noun

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[ey-bahy-ot-ik fak-ters]

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Abiotic Factors

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The nonliving chemical and physical parts of the environment that affect living organisms and the functioning of ecosystems.

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Example: This image shows non-living parts of an environment, such as water, sunlight, air, and soil, which are all examples of abiotic factors.

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Stakeholders Noun

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[steyk-hohl-ders]

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Stakeholders

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Individuals, groups, or organizations that have an interest in, or are affected by, a particular ecosystem or environmental decision.

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Example: This diagram shows that many different groups, like parents, teachers, and the community, are stakeholders because they all have an interest in a child's education.

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Biodiversity Noun

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[bahy-oh-di-vur-si-tee]

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Biodiversity

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The variety of life in a particular habitat or ecosystem, which is often an indicator of its overall health.

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Example: This image shows biodiversity by displaying a variety of living things, such as plants, animals, and insects, in different land and water environments.

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Trade-offs Noun

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[treyd-ofs]

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Trade-offs

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Situational decisions that involve diminishing or losing one quality or property in return for gains in other aspects.

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Example: A person juggles competing factors like time (clock), cost (money), and quality (gear), showing you must give one up to gain another.

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Algae Blooms Noun

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[al-jee bloo-ms]

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Algae Blooms

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A rapid increase in the population of algae in a water system, often caused by excess nutrient pollution.

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Example: This image shows a large, dense growth of green algae covering the surface of a body of water, which is what an algae bloom is.

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Base Map Noun

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[beys map]

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Base Map

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A foundational map showing essential features of an area, upon which more specific or detailed information can be plotted.

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Example: This image is a base map, showing foundational geographic features like roads, buildings, and sports fields for a school area.

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Abundance Noun

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[uh-buhn-duhns]

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Abundance

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The relative representation or quantity of a particular species within a specific ecosystem or geographical area at a given time.

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Example: This image shows a group of many fish of the same species, illustrating abundance as the large quantity of an organism in an area.