Glossary- Green Sea Turtle
Adaptation- The ability of a species to change in its ecological niche through natural selection
which results in a better ability to survive and reproduce.
Aesthetic value- appreciation for beauty.
Artificial light- Any light that does not come from sunlight. It is manmade lighting, including
fluorescent, tungsten, mercury vapor, sodium vapor, halogen, compact fluorescent.
Atoll- A ring of closely spaced coral islands that surround a shallow lagoon.
Biodiversity- A variety of individuals within a species as well as among plant and animal
species; a relative abundance of different species.
Biodiversity hotspots- locations where biodiversity, relative abundance of different species, is
dropping the fastest.
Buffer zone concept- an idea of a way to design reserves and parks with a center core are where
no humans are allowed to enter and then a second buffer exclusively for scientist and a final zone
where the general public may visit.
Captive breeding or Captivity- Having animals reproduce in a human controlled environment
often in zoos, sanctuaries, and wildlife preserves. A process to help raise the population of a
species.
Carapace- The shell of a turtle, or similar species that protects its softer skin.
Celestial light- the sacred light of all ages; bright intense light.
Cellulose- a complex carbohydrate that forms the cell wall in plants, composed of glucose units.
CITES- Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species.
Clutches- the number of eggs deposited in a nest by a female turtle at one time.
Coevolution- the influence of one species on the other as they evolve side by side; often a
predator-prey relationship.
Commercial fishing- All fisheries wherein the fishermen take fish and other seafood for
monetary gain.
Conservation- protection or reservation of a natural habitat or ecosystem and the species with in
it.
CMS- Convention on Migratory Species
Decompose- to rot or disintegrate into its original elements.
Eco-tourism- wildlife tourism.
Ecological niche- an individual species unique role in its surrounding ecosystem. A species way
of life; interactions with both biotic and abiotic factors.
Ecological services- services provided to us like decomposition of waste, and recycling of
water through the atmosphere.
Economy- the wealth and resources of a country or region.
Ecosystem- the interaction between biotic and abiotic factors with in their environment.
Endangered species- a low enough population that the species has a high risk of extinction.
Listed on the IUCN Red List.
Environmental education- teaching how natural environments function
ESA (Endangered Species Act) – a United States federal law put in place to protect endangered
species.
Erosion- when the surfaces of mountains or hills ‘fall away’, mudslides, degradation of
land; exposure of dirt.
Existence value- the satisfaction of knowing it exists.
Extinction- dying out or the end of species.
Fiber- a thick course substance often found in vegetable tissue
Forage- to seek or search for food; hunt.
Habitat- where an organism lives
Habitat destruction- when enough damage has been done to an ecosystem or biome that the
area is unfit to supply its species with the average level of ecological services.
Hatchlings- baby sea turtles
Herbivore- consuming only plant life.
Human population- in 2012 the population exceeded 7 billion.
IAC- Inter-American Convention for the Protection and Conservation of Sea Turtles
Instrumental value- The species usefulness to the environment and what it provides for the
species around it. The economical and ecological services it provides.
Interference with human activities- when human activities impede on the species habitat and the
species end up in contact with humans.
Jurisdiction- Territory within which a court or government agency may properly exercise its
power
k-strategist or k-selected species- follow the rules of carrying capacity, they produce few
offspring and often spend much time and energy on insuring the survival of their offspring.
Keystone species- a species that would have a large effect on its ecosystem if it were to go
extinct. Other species abundance relays on its existence.
Large territory requirement- species that require large areas of land, often migratory species or
the highest level predator with in the ecosystem. This makes them more vulnerable to extinction.
Limited food selection- one or two specific dietary needs for the animal, making them more
vulnerable to extinction.
Low birth rate- when not enough or not very many individuals reproduce fast enough to sustain a
constant population.
Marine Turtle Protection Act- legislature in Florida that protects marine turtles and gives the
Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission the authority needed to protect different
species of marine turtles.
Migratory species- a species that lives in more than one habitat by flying or swimming or
traveling from one ecosystem to the next; increases vulnerability to extinction.
Mutualism- the symbiotic relationship where both species benefit from the others presence.
Natal homing- the trait some species have of returning to their birth place to give birth or
reproduce.
National parks- open space within the United States protected under federal law and used
for the pleasure of the public.
Nesting sites- where a sea turtle lays its eggs for hatching.
Nutrient recycling- the constant recycling of minerals, elements or compounds with in an
ecosystem that help promote biological growth.
Nutrients- Provides nourishment for the growth of surrounding species. Some vital nutrients for
soil include Nitrogen (N) Phosphorus (P) Potassium (K).
Organisms- an animal, plant, or fungus. A complex living thing; biotic.
Poachers- a person who illegally hunts or kills a species; often an endangered or threatened
species.
Population- Group of individual organisms of the same species living in a particular area.
Primary consumers- the first level of consumer; primarily eats plants; herbivore
Recovery plan- a plan created by the U.S. government to help protect endangered species.
Reproductive age- the age a specific species is able to reproduce; the reproductive age of a Green
Sea Turtle starts at about 20 years old and ends at about 50.
Salmonids- a fish in the salmon family; trout and salmon.
Specific nesting requirements- nest in one structure or a specific place. Ex: fish, turtles, and
birds.
Specialists- occupy a narrow ecological niche, often only eats one type of food or has a narrow
range of climate. Easily prone to extinction.
Species- a group of living organisms that can reproduce and generate non-sterile offspring.
Sustainability- a balance necessary to keeping earth stable and easily adaptable to changing
environmental conditions.
Symbiotic relationship- a relationship between two or more biotic species. Not necessarily
benefiting, harming, or helping the other species.
Tourism- The temporary movement of people to destinations outside their normal places of work
and residence, the activities undertaken during their stay in those destinations, and the facilities
created to cater to their needs.
USVI (United States Virgin Islands)- a group of islands in the Caribbean; a Non-Self-Governing
Territory to the U.S.
Wildlife refuge or Wildlife sanctuaries- a place that naturally or under a law protects animal
or plant species.