How to Care for the Ocean

to argue in favor of something.

a container or tank where aquatic plants and animals are kept, or an institution that keeps such containers.

molecular properties of a substance.

management of a natural resource to prevent exploitation, destruction, or neglect.

to save or use wisely.

to poison or make hazardous.

destruction or removal of forests and their undergrowth.

ability to resist wear and decay.

group of organisms linked in order of the food they eat, from producers to consumers, and from prey, predators, scavengers, and decomposers.

all related food chains in an ecosystem. Also called a food cycle.

amount of food produced in a specific area at a specific time.

damaging.

to carry out plans.

area of the ocean where a government has placed limits on human activity.

indigenous, or from a specific geographic region.

large body of salt water that covers most of the Earth.

introduction of harmful materials into the environment.

to clean or process in order to make suitable for reuse.

available supply of materials, goods, or services. Resources can be natural or human.

fish and shellfish consumed by humans.

group of similar organisms that can reproduce with each other.

excess water that overflows onto a road or other surface due to heavy rainfall.

use of resources in such a manner that they will never be exhausted.

entire river system or an area drained by a river and its tributaries.

organisms living in a natural environment.