List of Determine the meaning of domain-specific words with pictures
- Ecosystem – A biological community of interacting organisms and their physical environment. Picture: A forest with animals, plants, and water sources.
- Habitat – The natural home or environment of an animal, plant, or other organism. Picture: A pond with frogs and plants.
- Photosynthesis – The process by which green plants and some other organisms use sunlight to synthesize foods with the help of chlorophyll. Picture: A plant with sunlight shining on it.
- Biodiversity – The variety of life in the world or in a particular habitat or ecosystem. Picture: A colorful coral reef with various marine species.
- Climate – The weather conditions prevailing in an area over a long period. Picture: A sun, cloud, and rain icons to represent different weather patterns.
- Pollination – The transfer of pollen from the male part of a flower to the female part, enabling plants to reproduce. Picture: A bee hovering over a flower.
- Fossil – The remains or impression of a prehistoric organism preserved in petrified form or as a mold or cast in rock. Picture: A dinosaur bone embedded in rock.
- Geology – The science that deals with the earth’s physical structure and substance, its history, and the processes that act on it. Picture: Layers of rock with fossils.
- Plate Tectonics – The theory that the Earth’s outer shell is divided into several plates that glide over the mantle. Picture: A map showing tectonic plates.
- Volcano – A mountain or hill with a crater or vent through which lava, rock fragments, hot vapor, and gases are being or have been erupted from the earth’s crust. Picture: An erupting volcano with lava flowing out.
- Weathering – The process of breaking down rocks and minerals through natural processes. Picture: A rock being worn down by rain and wind.
- Erosion – The process by which natural forces like water or wind move soil and rock from one place to another. Picture: A riverbank with eroded soil.
- Sediment – Particles of rock and soil that are carried and deposited by wind, water, or ice. Picture: Sand and pebbles being washed up on a beach.
- Fossil Fuels – Natural fuels such as coal, oil, and gas formed from the remains of living organisms. Picture: A coal mine or an oil rig.
- Renewable Energy – Energy from sources that are naturally replenished such as wind or solar power. Picture: Wind turbines and solar panels.
- Resource – A stock or supply of materials or assets that can be drawn on by a person or organization in order to function effectively. Picture: Natural resources like water, trees, and minerals.
- Conservation – The action of conserving something, especially the natural environment. Picture: A park ranger protecting wildlife.
- Recycling – The process of converting waste materials into reusable materials. Picture: A recycling bin with sorted paper, plastic, and glass.
- Pollution – The presence in or introduction into the environment of a substance or thing that has harmful or poisonous effects. Picture: Smoke from factories or litter in a river.
- Endangered – A species of animal or plant at serious risk of extinction. Picture: An endangered animal, like a panda or tiger.
- Adaptation – A change or the process of change by which an organism or species becomes better suited to its environment. Picture: A polar bear with white fur blending into the snow.
- Nutrient – A substance that provides nourishment essential for growth and the maintenance of life. Picture: Fruits and vegetables.
- Food Chain – A series of organisms each dependent on the next as a source of food. Picture: An illustration of a food chain showing a predator-prey relationship.
- Producer – An organism that can make its own food through photosynthesis, usually a plant. Picture: A green plant in sunlight.
- Consumer – An organism that obtains energy by consuming other organisms. Picture: A lion eating a zebra.
- Decomposer – An organism that breaks down dead or decaying organisms. Picture: Mushrooms growing on a fallen tree.
- Invasive Species – Non-native species that spread widely and cause harm to the environment. Picture: An overgrown area with non-native plants.
- Soil – The top layer of earth in which plants grow, a black or dark brown material typically consisting of a mixture of organic substances. Picture: A cross-section of soil with layers.
- River Basin – The area of land where all of the water that is under it or drains off of it goes into the same place. Picture: A map of a river basin.
- Watershed – An area of land that drains all the streams and rainfall to a common outlet. Picture: A diagram showing a watershed with streams flowing into a river.
- Aquifer – A geological formation that can store and transmit water. Picture: A cross-section showing groundwater in an aquifer.
- Drought – A prolonged period of abnormally low rainfall, leading to a shortage of water. Picture: Cracked, dry land.
- Flood – An overflow of a large amount of water beyond its normal limits, especially over what is normally dry land. Picture: Water covering streets and homes.
- Estuary – The tidal mouth of a large river, where the tide meets the stream. Picture: Where a river meets the sea with a mix of freshwater and saltwater.
- Coral Reef – A diverse underwater ecosystem held together by calcium carbonate structures secreted by corals. Picture: A vibrant underwater coral reef.
- Ocean Current – A continuous, directed movement of seawater generated by various factors including wind, temperature, and salinity. Picture: Arrows showing the direction of ocean currents on a map.
- Marine – Relating to the sea; existing in or produced by the sea. Picture: A marine ecosystem with fish and seaweed.
- Desertification – The process by which fertile land becomes desert as a result of drought, deforestation, or inappropriate agriculture. Picture: Land turning from green to barren desert.
- Glacier – A large, slow-moving mass of ice formed by the accumulation and compaction of snow. Picture: A massive ice sheet flowing down a valley.
- Tundra – A cold, treeless biome found in polar regions or high altitudes. Picture: A landscape with snow, ice, and low-growing vegetation.
- Rainforest – A dense forest found in tropical areas with high rainfall. Picture: A lush, green forest with a variety of trees and plants.
- Taiga – A forest biome characterized by coniferous trees and cold temperatures. Picture: A snowy forest with pine trees.
- Savanna – A grassland ecosystem characterized by the trees being small or sparse and a climate that has a wet and dry season. Picture: A grassy plain with scattered trees.
- Wetland – Land consisting of marshes or swamps; saturated with water. Picture: A swampy area with reeds and waterfowl.
- Compost – Decayed organic material used as a plant fertilizer. Picture: A pile of decomposing leaves and food scraps.
- Fertilizer – A chemical or natural substance added to soil to increase its fertility. Picture: A bag of fertilizer and a garden with growing plants.
- Pesticide – A substance used for destroying insects or other organisms harmful to cultivated plants or animals. Picture: A sprayer being used in a field.
- Herbivore – An animal that feeds on plants. Picture: A deer grazing on grass.
- Carnivore – An animal that feeds on other animals. Picture: A lion stalking its prey.
- Omnivore – An animal or person that eats both plants and animals. Picture: A bear eating fish and berries.
- Symbiosis – Interaction between two different organisms living in close physical association. Picture: Clownfish and sea anemone.
- Mutualism – A type of symbiosis where both organisms benefit from the relationship. Picture: Bees and flowers.
- Parasitism – A type of symbiosis where one organism benefits at the expense of the other. Picture: A tick feeding on a dog.
- Commensalism – A type of symbiosis where one organism benefits and the other is neither helped nor harmed. Picture: Birds sitting on the back of a rhinoceros.
- Sustainability – The ability to be maintained at a certain rate or level without depleting resources. Picture: A balanced ecosystem with various plant and animal species.