Glossary

Category: Environmental Science (Select letter)

Looking in Category Environmental Science for letter O

Ocean
The salt water surrounding the great land masses, and divided by the land masses into several distinct portions, each of which is called an ocean.
http://www.geographic.org

Open Range
A cattle- or sheep-ranching area characterized by a general absence of fences.
http://www.geographic.org

Orographic Rainfall
Precipitation that results when moist air is lifted over a topographic barrier such as a mountain range.
http://www.geographic.org

Outwash
Rocky and sandy surface material deposited by meltwater that flowed from a glacier.
http://www.geographic.org

Overburden
Material covering a mineral seam or bed that must be removed before the mineral can be removed in strip mining.
http://www.geographic.org

overgrazing
the grazing of animals on plant material faster than it can naturally regrow leading to the permanent loss of plant cover, a common effect of too many animals grazing limited range land.
CIA World Factbook 2000

ozone shield
a layer of the atmosphere composed of ozone gas (O3) that resides approximately 25 miles above the Earth's surface and absorbs solar ultraviolet radiation that can be harmful to living organisms.
CIA World Factbook 2000