A process that takes place in the presence of oxygen
Anaerobic process
A process that takes place in the absence of oxygen
Biomass
The total mass of a living, or recently living material in an area
Degradation
A measure of the ease with which a material breaks down
Homeostasis
The maintenance of a state of equilibrium
Haemoglobin
The protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen
Haber process
The industrial process that combines nitrogen from air with hydrogen from natural gas to produce ammonia
Detritivores
These are heterotrophic animals that ingest and digest dead organic matter e.g earthworms and woodlice
Carbon sequestration
Any process which removes carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, such as afforestation or carbon capture (underground storage)
Biogeochemical cycle
A series of linked processes which use and re-use elements such as carbon, nitrogenphosphorus, iron and sulfur as they move between biotic and abiotic reservoirs.
Peat bog
A wetland area with an accumulation of dead plant material, especially moss
Systemic
A substance that is absorbed and transported throughout an organism e.g. by sap in plants
