b

ecological dictionary

B

Barnett Inquiry

In 1987, after a series of claims of corruption in the logging industry, the government of Papua New Guinea began an investigation headed by Judge Thomas Barnett. This has been the only investigation into the illegal activities of logging companies in a tropical country. The results showed corruption on a grand scale.Barrier

Ecological factors which make a particular habitat inappropriate or more difficult for a species to inhabit. Examples include mountains for desert species, oceans for land species, or a burned jungle for a group of monkeys.

Basalt

A dark, dense, and magnetic rock that is volcanic in origin. It is the most common extrusive rock.

Biped

Animal that has only 2 legs, e.g. a human being.

Benthos

The plants and animals living or spending much of their lifetime, at or near the bottom of the ocean or other body of water.

Beta radiation

One of three types of radiation (alpha and gamma are the other two). Beta radiation consists of quick-moving electrons, which get released from the nuclei of atoms undergoing spontaneous radioactive transformations. Beta particles have a negative charge and are capable of penetrating many centimeters of living tissue. The main damage to health caused by beta radiation is cancer.

Bilateral

Having two sides.

Bilocular

Having two compartments or loci.

Biocenologist

Someone who studies biocenology.

Biocenology

The study of communities in nature and of interactions among their members.

Biocenosis/biocoenosis

Describes organisms that interact and live together in a specific habitat forming an ecological community.

Biodegradable

A component capable of decomposing or disintegrating relatively quickly into simple composts by the work of bacteria, fungi, worms and insects.

Biogeochemistry

The study of the chemistry of matter in the environment, and the changes that happen to it. The biogeochemical cycle is the circuit or pathway by which a chemical element or molecule circulates through the air, land, water and/or living systems. The molecules often change chemically as they pass through different compartments.

Biogeography

The study of the distribution of plants and animals throughout the world.

Biogenesis

The theory that all living beings originate from other living beings. The term is also used for the process of life forms producing other life forms. Sometimes used to mean biosynthesis. (See also Biosynthesis)

Biology

The study of living organisms, including what they are made of, their structure, and how they function.

biofuel

 Solid, liquid or gas fuel consisting of or derived from biomass.

Biomass

The total quantity of living material in a determined environmental area. Sometimes used to describe organic material that can be used as an energy source.

Biome

A large biotic community generally characterized by its plants, animals, and climate. Examples include a tropical jungle, desert, or grassland.

Biophage

An organism that nourishes itself at the expense of other living organisms.

Biosphere

The sections of the earth and atmosphere where it is possible for life to exist.

Biosynthesis

The process by which a living organism forms complex molecules from simpler ones.

Biota

The total collection of organisms of a geographic area or region, or a time period.

Biotic

Everything living. A biotic association includes all plants and animals present in a specific area.

Biotic community

All the populations of organisms that exist and interact in a determined area.

Biotope

An area characterized by a uniform environment that provides for its inhabitants or its biocenosis.

Biporous

Organic vegetables that have two pores or openings.

Botany

The study of plants.

Brundtland report

A report by the World Commission on the Environment and Development, released in 1987, led by Gro Harlem Brundtland. It described the many threats facing humanity from global poverty to environmental destruction, and is widely considered the best example of the increasing political, academic, scientific and financial recognition that the world is in crisis.

Bulrush/Cattail

A plant that grows in marsh areas and flowers in mid to late summer.

Burning/Clearing

An activity performed to clear land and then plant crops in the nutrient rich ash. It often causes the depletion of nutrients in the soil after a few years. It leads to related problems for forests, water, fauna and all other natural resources.

a | b | c | d | e | f | g | h | i | j | k | l | m | n | o | p | q | r | s | t | u | v | w | x | y | z