Ecology and Environmental Science Terms

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Carrying capacity

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The maximum population size of a species that an environment can sustain indefinitely.

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Resilience

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The ability of an ecosystem to recover from disturbances or withstand ongoing pressures.

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Conservation

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The protection and preservation of natural resources and the environment.

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Ecosystem

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A biological community of interacting organisms and their physical environment.

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Biodiversity

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The variety of life in the world or in a particular habitat or ecosystem.

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Limiting factor

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An environmental factor that restricts the growth, abundance, or distribution of an organism or a population of organisms in an ecosystem.

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Fuel

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A material that is used to produce heat or power by burning.

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Peat

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A brown, soil-like material characteristic of boggy, acid ground, consisting of partly decomposed vegetable matter.

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Carbon sink

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A natural reservoir that stores carbon-containing chemical compounds for an indefinite period.

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Chemical energy

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Energy stored in the bonds of chemical compounds, released in a chemical reaction.