Ecology

Ecology

Industry: Biology

Add a new term

Contributors in Ecology

Become a Contributors

Ecology

Crown cover

Biology; Ecology

The percentage of forest floor overgrown with tree crown. A major component of forest productivity. Lack of light and room to grow limits it (called crown shyness).

Condensation nuclei

Biology; Ecology

Microscopic particle of dust, ash, etc. Around which a raindrop forms. Drops also form around silver iodide particles seeded into clouds to increase local rainfall.

Isothermal layer

Biology; Ecology

A vertical atmospheric layer where temperature remains uniform. Such layers form the bottom of the stratosphere, mesosphere, and thermosphere. See Atmosphere, Layers.

Algae bloom

Biology; Ecology

Explosion of a phytoplankton population, sometimes because of incoming pollutants that artificially enrich the waters with nutrients. See Eutrophication and Red Tide.

Primary producer

Biology; Ecology

An organism that makes its own food through photosynthesis (plants) or chemosynthesis (certain microorganisms). Primary producers form the foundation of the food web.

Maquis

Biology; Ecology

Dense, twisty, drought-resistant evergreen scrub growing in arid regions. Hiding behind it during World War II suggested a convenient name for the French underground.

Archegonium

Biology; Ecology

A multicellular female reproductive organ in mosses, ferns, and the majority of gymnosperms. Normally flask-shaped, it corresponds to the pistil in flowering plants.