Loss of biomass and biological diversity in an environment. Often the result of humans.

a change in global or regional climate patterns, in particular a change apparent from the mid to late 20th century onwards and attributed largely to the increased levels of atmospheric carbon dioxide produced by the use of fossil fuels.

species that enter new ecosystems and multiply, harming native species and their habitats

the presence in or introduction into the environment of a substance or thing that has harmful or poisonous effects.

Gasses such as carbon dioxide, that trap heat in the Earth's atmosphere and affect Earth's climate.

air pollution by a mixture of smoke and fog

Rain containing acids that form in the atmosphere when industrial gas emissions combine with water.

a series of more-or-less predictable changes that occur in a community over time

An ecological succession that begins in an area where no biotic community previously existed

Succession following a disturbance that destroys a community without destroying the soil

first species to populate an area during succession

A stable, mature community that undergoes little or no change in species over time

little competition

producers, autotrophs, plants

The change of a substance from a liquid to a gas

the emission of water vapor from the leaves of plants

The change of state from a gas to a liquid

Any form of water that falls from clouds and reaches Earth's surface.

underground water that is held in the soil and in pervious rocks

water that flows over the ground surface rather than soaking into the ground

The downward movement of water through soil and rock due to gravity.

a forest, ocean, or other natural environment viewed in terms of its ability to absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.

removes C from atmosphere

returns C to the atmosphere

the process of burning fossil fuels, release C into the atomosphere

Coal, oil, natural gas, and other fuels that are ancient C containing remains of plants and animals.

the state or process of rotting; conducted by decomposers and releases C into the Earth

cellular respiration, combustion of fossil fuels

Process of converting nitrogen gas into ammonia; performed by nitrogen fixing bacteria

bacteria that convert nitrogen in the air into forms that can be used by plants and animals

the formation of ammonia compounds in the soil by the action of bacteria on decaying matter

process by which bacteria convert nitrates into nitrogen gas that is released back into the atmosphere

the process by which nitrites and nitrates are produced by bacteria in the soil

process by which plants take up nitrogen from the soil

nitrogen fixation and decomposition

denitrification and assimilation

Any biotic or abiotic factor that restricts the existence, numbers, reproduction, or distribution of organisms.

the largest population that an environment can support at any given time

limiting factor that's degree of action is based on population density/size

limiting factor that affects all populations in similar ways, regardless of population size