Nature & Animals

20 words

1. 1

   faunanoun/ˈfɔːnə/

   the animals of a particular place, habitat, or geological period

   “The island's fauna includes several species found nowhere else.”

2. 2

   carbonnoun/ˈkɑːbən/

   a chemical element often mentioned in environmental contexts to refer to carbon dioxide or carbon compounds

   “Reducing carbon in the atmosphere is essential to slow global warming.”

3. 3

   floranoun/ˈflɔːrə/

   the plants of a particular region or period considered as a group

   “The mountain's flora changes noticeably with altitude.”

4. 4

   overfishingnoun/ˌəʊvəˈfɪʃɪŋ/

   the depletion of fish stocks by excessive fishing

   “Overfishing has reduced the cod population dramatically.”

5. 5

   endemicadjective/enˈdemɪk/

   native to and restricted to a particular geographic area

   “The lemur is endemic to Madagascar.”

6. 6

   invasiveadjective/ɪnˈveɪsɪv/

   tending to spread aggressively and harm native species or habitats

   “Invasive species can outcompete native plants and reduce biodiversity.”

7. 7

   fertilizernoun/ˈfɜːtɪˌlaɪzə/

   a substance added to soil to make plants grow better

   “Farmers often buy fertilizer to improve crop yields.”

8. 8

   afforestationnoun/əˌfɒrɪˈsteɪʃ(ə)n/

   the planting of trees on land that has not recently been forested, to create a forest

   “Afforestation projects can help sequester carbon and reduce erosion.”

9. 9

   contaminationnoun/kənˌtæmɪˈneɪʃən/

   the process or state of becoming unclean or unsafe because of harmful substances or germs

   “Officials tested the wells for contamination after the chemical spill.”

10. 10

    degradationnoun/dɪˈɡreɪdəʃən/

    the process of something becoming worse in quality, strength, or condition

    “Land degradation has reduced the area suitable for farming.”

11. 11

    depletionnoun/dɪˈpliːʃən/

    the reduction or removal of a supply or resource

    “Overuse of groundwater has led to depletion of the aquifer.”

12. 12

    fragmentationnoun/ˌfræɡmənˈteɪʃən/

    the process of breaking or being broken into smaller parts, especially habitat being divided into isolated patches

    “Habitat fragmentation reduces genetic exchange between animal populations.”

13. 13

    pollinationnoun/ˌpɒlɪˈneɪʃən/

    the process of transferring pollen so plants can produce seeds or fruit

    “Bees are crucial for the pollination of many fruit trees.”

14. 14

    sanctuarynoun/ˈsæŋktʃuəri/

    a protected place where people or animals are safe from danger or harm

    “The island has been designated a bird sanctuary.”

15. 15

    herbivorenoun/ˈhɜːbɪvɔː(r)/

    an animal that eats only plants

    “Cattle and deer are common herbivores in the valley.”

16. 16

    nutrientnoun/ˈnjuːtriənt/

    a substance that provides nourishment essential for growth and the maintenance of life

    “Plants absorb nutrients like nitrogen and phosphorus from the soil.”

17. 17

    runoffnoun/ˈrʌnɒf/

    water (often with pollutants) that flows over the surface into rivers, lakes or the sea

    “Heavy rainfall increased the runoff from the fields into the river.”

18. 18

    algaenoun/ˈældʒiː/

    simple aquatic plants or plant-like organisms, often found in water and sometimes causing blooms

    “Algae blooms can deplete oxygen in lakes and kill fish.”

19. 19

    scavengernoun/ˈskævɪndʒə(r)/

    an animal or person that eats dead animals or collects discarded things

    “Vultures are well-known scavengers that feed on carcasses.”

20. 20

    omnivorenoun/ˈɒmnɪvɔː(r)/

    an animal or person that eats both plant and animal food

    “Pigs are omnivores and will eat a wide variety of food.”