Vegetation (Noun): collective name for all plants growing in certain area.

Synonym: flora, greenery

Ex: rain forests are known for their dense vegetation.

Erosion (Noun): the gradual destruction of something by natural forces (wind, rain etc.)

Synonym: deterioration, disintegration, destruction

Ex: desertification is principally caused by soil erosion.

Habitat (Noun): the natural home or environment of an organism

Synonym: environment, dwelling, surroundings

Ex: the natural habitat of the Rhino is being destroyed

Deforestation (Noun) the act of cutting down or burning all trees in an area

Synonym: logging, clearing, cutting down

Ex: deforestation is one of the most serious issues we face today.

Inhabit (Verb): to live in a certain place

Synonym: occupy, reside, live in/on

Ex: several species of monkeys inhabit the island

Nocturnal (Adj): describing an animal that is mainly active at night

Antonym: Diurnal

Ex: owls are mostly nocturnal animals, preferring to hunt at night.

Migrate (Verb, noun: migration): to move from one region or habitat to another

Antonym: remain, stay

Ex: these birds will migrate to Mexico from Canada in November

Evolution (Noun, verb: evolve): a process by which small changes happen to organisms over a long
period

Synonym: development, progression, transformation

Ex: all living things have developed through the process of evolution

Diverse (Adj): differing from one another

Synonym: varied, distinct, disparate

Ex: the island has a diverse range of plant life

Adapt (Verb, noun: adaptation): to adjust to new conditions

Synonym: modify, alter, readjust

Ex: it took a while to adapt to the new country.

Species (Noun): a group of animals or plants that are similar and can reproduce together

Antonym: type, kind, sort, breed

Ex: Rhinos are now a protected endangered species.

Fossil Fuels (Noun): a fuel that is formed in the earth from dead plants and animals

Consequences: global warming/ climate change

Ex: our reliance on fossil fuels is really damaging the planet

Renewable Energy (Noun): energy from a source that is not depleted when used

Synonym: soft energy, alternative energy

Ex: Renewable energy is much cleaner than burning fossil fuels

Emission (noun): the production and discharge of something especially gas or radiation

Synonym: ejections, release, discharge

Ex: a reduction in CO2 emissions is essential to combat climate change

Climate Change (Noun): a change in global or regional temperature patterns

Synonym: global warming, greenhouse effect

Ex: the melting of the polar ice caps is a result of climate change

Conservation (Noun): The protection of animals, plants and natural resources.

Synonym: preservation, protection, safeguarding

Ex: Green Peace are an environmental conservation group.

Ecosystem (Noun): all organisms in an environment and how they interact with each other

Synonym: complex ecosystem, fragile ecosystem

Ex: the marine ecosystem was badly damaged by toxic waste

Thrive (Verb): to grow and develop well or quickly

Synonym: prosper, flourish, bloom

Ex: due to having no natural predators the plants thrived

Sustainable (Adj): involving methods that do not use up or destroy natural resources

Synonym: viable, feasible

Ex: sustainable development is the balance between our needs and future generations

Desertification (Noun): the process by which fertile land is turned in to desert

Solution: protecting natural vegetation, allowing fallow period

Causes: drought, deforestation, soil erosion

Ex: desertification is caused by over farming and soil erosion