15 15 terms to understand ecosystem services terms
This glossary presents 15 terms used in the article called "The quest for a mechanistic understanding of biodiversity– ecosystem services relationships" that would need to be defined in order for the general public to properly understand this article. It mostly presents terms used in the ecology and zoology fields of research. The definitions for these terms were found on Google, with the Collins English Dictionary and the Cambridge Dictionary.
abiotic
adjective
Abiotic refers to the non-living physical and chemical components of an ecosystem that affect living organisms and the functioning of the environment.
Example: Sunlight, soil, and water are key abiotic factors in any ecosystem.
fr: abiotique
biocontrol
noun
Biocontrol, or biological control, is an environmentally sound, nature-based method of managing agricultural pests, weeds, and diseases by using their natural enemies—such as predators, parasites, or pathogens.
Example: Stringent physical containment strategies and biocontrol methods maintained by specialized laboratories and enforced through international regulatory agreements could make disasters unlikely.
fr: biocontrôle
biodiversity
noun
Biodiversity is the variety of all living things on Earth, including the genes they contain, the species they form, and the ecosystems they create.
Example: The new woodland space is part of an effort to supply kids their own space to appreciate the biodiversity (and shade) of a native oak habitat.
fr: biodiversité
biomass
noun
Biomass is organic, non-fossil material derived from living or recently living organisms, including plants, animals, and microorganisms.
Example: Biomass is renewable organic material derived from plants and animals, often used as a source of fuel or energy.
fr: biomass
bioturbation
noun
Bioturbation is the reworking, mixing, and disturbing of soils and sediments by living organisms, including animals (like worms, clams, and rodents) and plant roots.
Example: In fact, comparisons with global studies showed there were substantial bioturbation rates observed in Brisbane Water Estuary, placing these rays among the top contributors to sediment turnover in similar habitats worldwide.
fr: bioturbation
climatic
adjective
Climatic is an adjective referring to, or resulting from, the long-term, average weather conditions (climate) of a particular region, including factors like temperature, precipitation, and wind.
Example: The region is facing severe climatic changes due to global warming.
fr: climatique
detritivore
noun
A detritivore is an organism, such as an earthworm, woodlouse, or sea cucumber, that obtains nutrients by consuming dead and decomposing plant and animal matter, known as detritus.
Example: All parts of the food chain were attracted to the reefs, including herbivores, detritivores, planktivores and predatory piscivores, the researchers found.
fr: détritivore
dominant species
noun
A dominant species is an organism that is the most abundant or has the highest biomass in an ecological community.
Example: Bacillus cereus was the dominant species in this deposit of aluminosilicate minerals.
fr: espèces dominantes
ecosystem
noun
An ecosystem is a community of living organisms (plants, animals, microbes) interacting with each other and their non-living environment (sunlight, air, water, soil) in a specific area.
Example: That influx of fresh water alters the ocean's salinity near the seafloor, a factor that influences the makeup of the ecosystems in those places.
fr: écosystème
ecosystem services
noun
Ecosystem services are the direct and indirect contributions ecosystems make to human well-being, supporting survival and quality of life.
Example: Ecosystem services are vital for human well-being. They provide direct and indirect benefits from nature, such as clean water, food, and climate regulation.
fr: services écosystémiques
herbivory
noun
Herbivory is the act of animals consuming living plant material, such as leaves, stems, roots, fruits, or seeds. It is a fundamental ecological interaction where primary consumers feed on plants, algae, or photosynthetic bacteria, linking primary producers to higher trophic levels.
Example: Under natural conditions, plants have to cope with numerous environmental stresses, including light-stress and herbivory.
fr: herbivorie
nutrient cycling
noun
Nutrient cycling, or ecological recycling, is the continuous movement and exchange of organic and inorganic matter back into the production of living matter.
Example: More complementary production systems need to be developed that include both crops and livestock, and facilitate more efficient nutrient cycling systems.
fr: cycle des nutriments
organism
noun
An organism is any individual living entity—including animals, plants, fungi, protists, bacteria, or archaea—that functions as a structured, coordinated unit.
Example: A human being is a complex organism.
fr: organisme
phenotypic
adjective
Phenotypic refers to the observable physical, biochemical, or behavioral characteristics of an organism, such as height, eye color, or blood type.
Example: Cloning creates phenotypic variations that are independent of genetic background.
fr: phénotypique
taxonomic
adjective
Taxonomic is the adjective form of taxonomy, referring to the science of naming, describing, and classifying organisms (plants, animals, microorganisms) into organized, hierarchical groups based on shared characteristics and evolutionary relationships.
Example: Between them arises a median crest, which varies much in extent and composition, and is of considerable taxonomic value.