Climate: Glossary

A

absorb

soak in, retain

adapt

to change behaviors in order to survive or succeed

altitude

height or distance from sea level of a place

analyze

to study or examine something in order to explain

atmosphere

the blanket of air around the earth where weather happens

average

typical, usual

B

biome

plants, animals, and climate found in a certain area

C

carbon dioxide

a gas released by the burning of coal, natural gas, oil, and wood that traps heat in the atmosphere.

carbon footprint

the amount of carbon dioxide one human releases into the environment in one year

climatologist

scientist who studies climate

coral reef

a structure or ridge of coral skeletons that forms in warm, shallow sea waters

D

deciduous forest

forests where trees lose their leaves each year

drought

abnormal dry weather causing a shortage of water

E

emit

give off

equator

an imaginary line going around the earth halfway between the north and south poles

evaporation

the process by which liquid water changes to water vapor

extreme

a kind or degree that is much beyond what is normal or average

F

forecast

prediction of a future event or condition

fossil fuels

coal, oil, and natural gas, which come from the remains of ancient plants and animals over millions of years

G

glacier

large bodies of ice that remain permanently frozen and may move slowly

H

humidity

water vapor or moisture in the air

I

interact

two or more things act upon each other

L

latitude

distance measured from the earth's equator either north or south

M

measure

to use numbers to describe a trait or condition

meteorologist

scientist who studies weather

methane

a gas produced by microbes in wetlands and rice paddies and by the digestive tracts of animals such as cattle and sheep.

moderate

not too much or too little, within medium limits

N

nitrous oxide

a gas produced when chemicals in human-produced fertilizers break down in the soil text

O

ocean currents

a river-like movement of water in the ocean that flows in one direction

P

permafrost

the permanently frozen subsoil ground layer found in arctic and subarctic regions

photosynthesis

The process by which plants use sunlight, water, and carbon dioxide to make their own food and release oxygen

pollinator

organisms that spread pollen among or within plants, such as bees and butterflies

precipitation

water that falls to the earth's surface in the form of rain, snow, sleet or hail

prevailing

most common

R

range

the difference between highest and lowest

regional

referring to a given area

reproduce

to have young

S

satellite

spacecraft equipment that orbit the earth to take measurements and send back information

T

temperature

a measure of how hot or cold something is

temperature variation

change or difference between high and low temperatures

temporary

not lasting or permanent

transport

move from one place to another

tundra

biome with plains of permanently frozen subsoil and no trees

V

variety

diversity, having different types or forms

vegetation

plant life

W

water vapor

water in the form of gas