Glossary - uvi.edu€¦ · Glossary Term Definition Biodiversity The variety of all life forms on earth – the different plants, animals and micro-organisms and the ecosystems of

LESSON PLAN:

Biodiversity and Marine Debris Date: School: Time:

Glossary Term Definition

Biodiversity The variety of all life forms on earth – the different plants, animals

and micro-organisms and the ecosystems of which they are a part.

Ecosystem A community of living organisms in conjunction with the nonliving

components of their environment, interacting as a system.

Invertebrates Animals that neither possess nor develop a vertebral column.

Halophyte A plant that grows in waters of high salinity, coming into contact with

saline water through its roots or by salt spray.

Herbivore An animal that feeds on plants.

Detritivore Animals that obtain nutrients by consuming detritus (decomposing

plant and animal parts as well as feces.)

Marine debris Any persistent solid material that is manufactured or processed and

directly or indirectly, intentionally or unintentionally, disposed of or

abandoned into the marine environment or the Great Lakes.

Point Source

Pollution

A single identifiable source of air, water, thermal, noise or light

pollution.

Nonpoint Source

Pollution

Both water and air pollution from diffuse sources such as runoff from

agricultural areas draining into a river, or wind-borne debris blowing

out to sea.

This ecosystem has only 1 species

present so it is not biodiverse. This ecosystem has 5 different

species present so it is more

biodiverse than the one on the left.

BIODIVERSITY

A brittle star is pictured on the left. This is

an invertebrate organism; notice how it does

not have a backbone. Brittle stars are

usually found under rocks where they seek

shelter from sunlight. They get their name

from the fact that they can easily detach

their limbs when they are being attacked.

A shark is pictured on the left. This is a

vertebrate organism because unlike

invertebrates, it does possess a backbone.

Sharks are considered top predators and

help to maintain ecosystem health. The

presence of top predators in an ecosystem is

a sign of good health.

INVERTEBRATE

VERTEBRATE

Marine debris is any man made item that ends up in the

ocean either intentionally or unintentionally. This can

include plastic items, paper products, to aluminum and

glass. These items can persist within the environment and

can cause harm to marine animals. One such animal that

is often affected by marine debris are sea turtles. Because

some sea turtles consume jellyfish as part of their natural

diets, they can sometimes mistake plastic bags for

jellyfish. They can eat the plastic bag which causes them

to feel full and they can die as a result of not eating.

MARINE DEBRIS Red mangroves are an important species of tree that

provides numerous ecosystem services. Their roots

offer shelter for baby fish, homes for nesting,

migratory birds, as well as trap sediment and other

land pollutants before they can enter the offshore

environment.

RED MANGROVE