Environmental Systems Vocab

3. scientific classification of organisms into specially named groups based on either shared characteristics or on evolutionary relationships
4. process of eroding or being eroded by wind, water, or other natural agents
7. accumulation or laying down of matter by a natural process
8. all of earth's water in all forms
9. chemical used to kill harmful animals or plants
11. living organisms in an environment
12. complex system of interrelated food chains in an environment
13. the general or average weather conditions of a certain region, including temperature, rainfall and wind
15. the protection, preservation, management or restoration of natural environments and the ecological communities that inhabit them
18. a tool that allows the user to determine the identity of items in the natural world
20. change in structure, function or behavior by which a species or individual improves its chances of survival in a specific environment
21. community of organisms together with their physical environment
23. rainfall made sufficiently acidic by atmospheric pollution that causes the environment harm, typically to forests and lakes

1. presence or introduction into the environment of a substance or thing that has harmful or poisonous effects
2. continuous ridge of high ground forming a divide between 2 different drainage basins or river systems
5. non-living organisms in an environment
6. large community of plants and animals that occupies a distinct region
7. the transformation of land once suitable for agriculture into desert
8. substance that is toxic to plants, used to destroy unwanted vegetation
10. the number, variety and genetic variation of different organisms found within a specified geographic region
14. substance used to kill insects
16. a natural or artificial pond or lake used for the storage of water
17. waste water and excrement conveyed in sewers
19. wear away or change the appearance or texture of (something) by long exposure to air
22. something that has mass