Biology Reference
In-Depth Information
Epiphytic
Species that grow on top of other organisms but are not usually
parasitic.
Estuary
A place where fresh water and salt water mix, such as a bay draining
rivers or streams, a salt marsh, or where a river enters an ocean. In an estuary,
salt water is measurably diluted by fresh water.
Euryhaline
Species capable of tolerating a wide range of salinities.
Gyre
A major circular moving body of water created as currents are deflected
by winds and the rotation of the earth.
Halophytes
Plants that tolerate or require high concentrations of salt in sur-
rounding soil and/or water.
Hydrodynamics
The motion or action of water, which is influenced by winds,
tides, currents, topography, and other factors.
Hydrograph
Changes in the volume or rate of stream discharge reaching a
particular location over time, as depicted in a graph.
Larva
The newly hatched, earliest stage of various animals that undergo meta-
morphosis.
Managed marsh
Wetland where water levels are regulated to achieve specific
goals such as growing food plants for waterfowl or providing habitat for target
species.
MLLW
Mean lower low water, or the average of the lowest tide level observed
for each day. One of several similar acronyms including MHHW, mean higher
high water; MHW, mean high water; and MLW, mean low water.
Osmoregulation
Control of water and ion concentrations within the body of
a living organism.
Otter trawl
A type of fishing net with two rectangular doors that keep the
mouth of the net open as it is towed behind a ship.
Pacific Flyway
A major bird migration route along the Pacific coast of the
Americas stretching from Alaska south to Patagonia.
Parts per
A measure of concentration expressed as the relative abundance of
pollutants or other minerals in a solvent; water with two parts per billion of
mercury would contain two micrograms of mercury per kilogram of water.
Pelagic
Species that live in the open ocean.
Rafting
Resting together on the water, as done by groups of Sea Otters or
ducks.
Redd
Depression dug into the gravel of a river bottom by an egg-laying female
salmon.
Regime change
A shift in a prevailing ocean cycle or pattern that marks the
start of a new set of conditions.
Riffle
A shallow stretch of stream where rocks break the flow of water.
