Glossary

an activity where people climb down a rock face using a rope fixed to a higher point.

to recognise the importance of something.

next to or adjoining something else.

exisiting or happening in the air.

the consequences or after-effects of a significant unpleasant event.

the science of growing plants and animals.

the height of something in relation to sea level.

land that has little or no rain.

the range of all living things (bio = life, diversity = range of).

full of activity.

friendship, good humour and closeness among a group of people.

an outside appearance, feature or adaptation that helps an animal blend into its surroundings for safety. Can also be a behaviour (to camouflage).

rocks that are mostly made of calcium carbonate (CaCO3).

involving or causing sudden great damage or suffering.

Central Business District

burnt and blackened.

a change in global and regional climate patterns over a long period of time.

to work jointly on an activity or problem.

the person appointed to lead a commission.

in a cautious way that seeks to avoid potential risks.

careful not to harm or spoil things for others.

the process when plants resprout from roots or trunks if cut or destroyed.

facing an extremely high risk of extinction.

the beliefs, social practices and characteristics of a particular group of people.

a series of events regularly repeated in the same order.

passionate about a task or purpose.

needing something else for support or survival.

showing many different kinds or types.

the period of when life was created.

a prolonged period of abnormally low rainfall, leading to a shortage of water.

the study of how living things interact with each other and their surroundings.

a community of living things which interact with one another to create a unique environment that helps the living things within it survive.

a species at serious risk of extinction, with low numbers and threats to their continued survival.

cut or carve (a text or design) on the surface of a hard object.

lasting a very short time.

the process where a surface of a non-living thing wears away over time; can be caused by water, wind, touch or walking over the same area repeatedly.

the zone of a river close to where it meets the ocean. This area is affected by tides and floods; the balance of salt and fresh water changes all the time.

evaporation is the process by which a liquid turns into a gas.

at all times and always (continuous existence).

develop or change gradually over time

a species that has no living members.

introduced species that live in a wild and uncontrolled way, that are not supposed to be present in an ecosystem.

easily set on fire.

complex process that includes a number of interdependent food chains.

easily damaged, destroyed or broken.

relating to the earth.

the study of the earth, the rocks and substances that it's made from and the processes that affect it.

the usual home of an animal or plant.

a heatwave occurs in Australia when the maximum and minimum temperatures are unusually hot over a three-day period at a location.

an animal that only eats plants for survival.

an inactive state some animals go into for the winter to save energy; they barely breathe and their body temperature drops significantly.

paying money (a premium) for a guarantee of compensation if your home or belongings are damaged or destroyed.

a high amount of water vapour in the air.

keeping eggs warm to encourage hatching.

the basic systems and services, such as transport and power supplies, that a country or organisation uses in order to work effectively.

receive as a result of the death of the previous owner.

extremely strong or powerful.

spreading quickly and harmfully (e.g. fast growing weeds or pest animals).

the supply of water to land or crops to help growth.

a geological system of rocks where water has dissolved the bedrock.

the series of changes in the life of a living thing, including reproduction.

the way people make money to pay for the basic things in life.

a warm-blooded animal with a backbone. Usually covered in hair/fur, gives birth to live young and feeds the babies milk.

a cycle of growth and change, especially in insects and frogs resulting in a change in body form and/or habits.
(meta = change, morph = transform or change).

A very large upright stone feature of the land

something that appeals to a specific and small group.

clear and easily understood.

to be too strong for something or a strong emotional effect.

the action or process of moving from one place to another. Can also be a noun meaning small corridor or hallway.

a bacteria, virus or other microorganism that causes disease.

something observable, usually an extraordinary thing or person.

a process in plants used to make food; the special green colour in their leaves changes sunlight into energy.

an animal at the top of the food chain that hunts another animal for food.

designed to keep something undesirable from happening.

kept safe from harm or injury.

a place or situation providing safety or shelter.

worthy of attention.

having offspring or young (either by laying eggs or giving birth to live young).

the capacity to recover quickly from difficulty or harm.

replanting and rebuilding the soil of disturbed land.

ground that has rocky, broken or uneven surfaces.

the soft outer layers of recently formed wood that contain important tissue.

settling or being deposited as sediment.

a positive outcome that arises from a difficult or harmful situation.

the interaction of social and economic factors.

a structure hanging like an icicle from the roof of a cave, as a result of calcium salts forming from dripping water.

a trained team of firefighters that directly attack or put out fires.

forcibly preventing or prohibiting something from happening.

plate tectonics is the theory dealing with the earths outer shell

at risk of harm or destruction.

when a plant or animal successfully grows and develops in an area.

study of a land surface.

one of a kind, unlike anything else.

an area built up with roads, houses and facilities for people to live in.

an urban heat island is an urban or metropolitan area that is significantly warmer than surrounding rural areas due to human activities.

groups of plants in a particular area or habitat.

a plant or animal that could become endangered if threats to its survival are not reduced.

areas with marshes or swamps that support a range of plants and animals.