cleavage delta deposition erosion

extinct species fossil gas glacier

Hardness igneous rock lava liquid

luster magma matter

metamorphic rock mineral paleontologist

nonmetallic mineral river system rock

rock cycle sand dune sediment solid

sedimentary rock streak volcano

weathering metallic mineral

hardness

geologist

Person who studies rocks and minerals

cementing

When sediments are pressed together and harden into rock

cementing

heat and pressure

weathering

melting

humus

The decayed remains of plants and animals

bedrock

Un-weathered rock that lies below the lowest layer of soil.

soil

Loose material that covers much of Earth’s surface. Made up of rock, minerals, and parts of once living things

subsoil

The layer of soil just below the topsoil

topsoil

The uppermost layer of soil.

elevation

How high something is above sea level The mountain has a much higher elevation than the beach.

Piedmont

An area of rolling hills, rivers and stream, and forests between the mountains and the coast. Georgia’s Piedmont has many hills and rivers.

estuary

a place where freshwater and saltwater mix (This occurs where tides come up into coastal rivers and streams)

swamp

a wetland in which mostly trees and other woody plants grow (The Okefenokee Swamp is the largest freshwater swamp in North America)

marsh

a wetland in which mostly grasses and other soft-stem plants grow. (Marshes can be saltwater or freshwater)

wetland

an area of low land covered by water for most of the year (wetlands are important because they soak up heavy rain that might cause flooding and filter out harmful materials)

coast

where an ocean meets land (The coast is full of very important plants and animals)

continental shelf

a gently sloping area of ocean bottom near shore

dune

a mound of sand formed by wind and moving water (Dunes are home to many species of plants and animals)

barrier island

a sandy strip of land offshore that protects the mainland

sandbar

a long ridge of sand in shallow water, usually close to a beach

animal

an organism that gets its energy by eating other organisms

plant

an organism that gets its energy from the sun to make its own food

non-living thing

something that is not alive and never has been!

organism environment ecosystem habitat

reef A ridge of rock on the ocean bottom where plants and animals attach to the rock or swim around it and hide.

organism Plants, animals, and other living things.

mountain

An area of land with high elevation

adaptation A body part or behavior that helps a living thing survive in its environment.

body part

behavior

The way a plant or animal acts.

Carnivorous plant

A plant that gets some of its nutrients by trapping and digesting insects and other small animals.

Aquatic animal An animal that lives in a water habitat

camouflage The colorings, markings, or other physical features of an animal that help it blend with its surroundings.

hibernate To go into a deep sleep during cold months

migrate

To move to warmer regions during cold months

mimicry An adaptation that allows an animal to protect itself by looking like another kind of living thing

prey Any animal that is hunted for food by another animal

talons

Curved claws that help a bird grab and hold prey

adaptation camouflage hibernate

mimicry aquatic animal prey

environmental conservation

Keeping something in nature the way it is.

natural resources PLANTS ANIMALS NON-LIVING THINGS

natural resources A material that is found in nature that is used by living things. Can be above or below ground.

renewable resources Plants Animals Sun Water

renewable resources A resource that can be replaced quickly.

non-renewable resources OIL COAL SOIL METALS

non-renewable resources A resource that, when used up, will not exist again during a human lifetime.

flood

A great flow of water over normally dry land.

drought

A long period of time when there is very little rain or no rain at all.

biodegradable material Matter that breaks down easily in the environment.

hazardous waste Waste that can pollute the environment even when it occurs in very small amounts.

compost Decayed material from once-living things that is used to enrich soil.

decomposer A living thing that breaks down the remains of dead organisms.

ecotourism Travel to natural habitats that avoids harming them and helps preserve these areas and the organisms that live there.

litter Trash that is not disposed of in a way that prevents harm to ecosystems.

pollutant A material that causes pollution.

pollution The addition of harmful materials to the environment.

recycle

To collect old materials, process them, and use them to make new items.

pollution compost decomposer

ecotourism pollutant litter

biodegradable material hazardous waste

attract

To pull toward

magnetism

A magnet’s ability to attract certain metals

lodestone

A rock that is naturally magnetic and is found at or near Earth’s surface.

repel

Push away from

force

A push or a pull

magnet magnetic poles permanent magnet

temporary magnet compass magnetic field

conduction

The movement of heat within a solid or from one solid to another.

convection

The way heat moves through liquids and gases.

heat

The flow of thermal energy from warmer objects to cooler objects

radiation

The movement of energy by waves

solar energy

Energy from the sun

temperature

A measure of how hot or cold something is.

thermometer

A tool that is used to measure temperature

conductor friction insulator thermal energy

Insulator A material that does not allow heat to pass through easily. Keeps heat in or heat out.

Insulator

Conductor A material that allows heat to pass through easily.

Conductor