reserves

Historic treaty could open the way to protecting 30% of the oceans

Agreement sets framework for creating marine reserves and sharing biodiversity profits. Click here for the full article.

Tags:

oceans

biodiversity

reserves

mpa

Glossary of Terms

Photogrammetry

The science of deducing the physical dimensions of objects from measurements on images (usually photographs) of the objects.

Zooxanthellae

Unicellular, symbiotic algae living within coral polyps that produce food for their hosts by photosynthesis and help efficiently recycle low-levels of nutrients.

Rip Current

A strong surface current flowing seaward from the shore. It usually appears as a visible band of agitated water and is the return movement of water piled up on the shore by incoming waves and winds. With the seaward movement concentrated in a limited band its velocity is somewhat accumulated. A rip consists of three parts: the feeder currents flowing parallel to the shore inside the breakers; the neck, there the feeder currents converge and flow through the breakers in a narrow band or "rip"; and the head of rip, where the current widens and slackens outside of the breaker line. A rip current is often miscalled a rip tide.

Isobath

A contour line connecting points of equal water depths on a chart.

High Water Line

In strictness, the intersection of the plane of mean high water with the shore. For specific occurrences, the highest elevation on the shore reached during a storm or rising tide, including meteorological effects.

Greenhouse Gases

Gases that trap heat radiating from the Earth's surface, thereby warming the lower atmosphere.

Search form

You are here

reserves