conservation

wise use and protection of our natural resources

ecology

science of the relationships between plants, animals and their environments

environment

everything that surrounds us

erosion

loosening and movement of soil by wind, water, ice and landslides

geology

science of the history of the Earth

habitat

an area in which plants and animals live, grow and reproduce

mineral

(a natural resource) an inorganic substance with definite chemical and physical properties and definite crystal structure

natural resource

found in nature - soil, minerals, forests, water, fish, wildlife

nutrient

something that provides nourishment for an organism to live (it can be food or chemicals)

organic matter

plant and animal materials in different stages of decay (decomposition) that may be part of the soil

organism

a living being (people, animals and insects are all organisms)

particle

a very small piece or part of something bigger

reservoir

a body of water (often a lake) in which water is collected or stored

sediment

bits of sand, soil, pebbles and other material deposited by wind, water and glaciers that washes into rivers, lakes and oceans and piles up layer on top of layer

soil

a naturally occurring mixture of minerals, organic matter, water and air that forms the surface of the land

weathering

breaking down of rock by wind, water and living things

wetlands

freshwater or salt water areas (swamps, bogs, marshes) with waterlogged soils or that are covered with a shallow layer of water