MICROCOSM - A small-scale natural ecosystem, regarded as a model of ecological principles. where this differs from the climate generally. MICROCLIMATE - The climate of a small or restricted area, or of the immediate surroundings of an organism or object of interest, esp. MACROCLIMATE - The general climate of a relatively large area. MESOCOSM - An enclosed and essentially self-sufficient (but not necessarily isolated) experimental environment or ecosystem that is on a larger scale than a laboratory microcosm. MEGAFAUNA - Large vertebrates, especially the larger mammals. rich in organic or mineral nutrients and having as a result an excessive growth of algæ and other plants, with depletion of oxygen and consequent extinction of animal life. ESTUARY - The tidal mouth of a great river, where the tide meets the current of fresh water. ESTIVATION - A state of torpor or dormancy accompanied by decreased metabolic rate in an insect, fish, or amphibian as a (typically seasonal) adaptation to a prolonged period of hot or dry conditions. EQUILIBRIUM - The condition of equal balance between opposing forces. EPHEMERAL - Of insects, flowers, etc.: Existing for one day only, or for a very few days. EPIPHYTE - A plant which grows on another plant usually restricted to those which derive only support (and not nutrition) from the plants on which they grow. ENDEMIC - A plant native to a certain limited area. ENDANGERED SPECIES - Any plant or animal species in danger of extinction. ELECTROLYTES - Any of the ions (as of sodium or calcium) that in biological fluid regulate or affect most metabolic processes (such as the flow of nutrients into and waste products out of cells). ECOTONE - A transitional area between two or more distinct ecological communities. ECOSYSTEM - A biological system composed of all the organisms found in a particular physical environment, interacting with it and with each other. ECOREGION - Any of a number of ecogeographical regions that may be distinguished on the basis of environmental conditions and habitat types within a country, continent, etc. Also: the relationships themselves, especially those of a specified organism. ECOLOGY - The branch of biology that deals with the relationships between living organisms and their environment. CREPUSCULAR - Appearing or active in the twilight.ĮARTH CAPITAL - The natural resources of the planet the ascribed value of these resources. COMPETITIVE EXCLUSION PRINCIPLE - The principle that two species with identical niches cannot coexist indefinitely. COMMUNITY - An association of interacting species living in particular area also often defined as all of the organisms living in a particular area. COLLUVIAL - Applied to soil at the foot of a slope, containing rock detritus or talus. COEVOLUTION - The process of reciprocal evolutionary change that occurs between pairs of species or among groups of species as they interact with one another. Restricted to the western part of the Valley and Ridge province and Murphrees Valley and Wills Valley anticlines. CHICKAMAUGA LIMESTONE - Medium to dark-gray thick to thin-bedded partly argillaceous, locally fossiliferous limestone. sheep or cattle) that a given area of land will support. CARRYING CAPACITY - The number of people or animals (esp. CARNIVORE - A carnivorous (meat-eating) animal one of the Carnivora. CALCIPHILE - Any plant or animal capable of thriving in calcareous (limestone) soils.
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