a large region of land characterized by the climax vegetation of the ecosystems within its boundaries the condition of the atmosphere at any given time the accumulation of weather events over a long period of time (temperatures, humidity, wind, cloud cover, rainfall) heat energy from the sun drives the earth's weather systems, which ultimately determines the composition of ecosystems area of land where water from precipitation drains downhill into a body of water water pollution from a clearly identifiable location water pollution that comes from many different places decomposition of living organisms and their bi-products dissolved and suspended solids as silt, salts, and minerals heavy metals and other chemical compounds that are lethal to organisms

1. Biome

a large region of land characterized by the climax vegetation of the ecosystems within its boundaries

2. Weather

the condition of the atmosphere at any given time

3. Climate

the accumulation of weather events over a long period of time (temperatures, humidity, wind, cloud cover, rainfall)

4. Elevation or Depth of Light Penetration

heat energy from the sun drives the earth's weather systems, which ultimately determines the composition of ecosystems

5. Watershed or Drainage Basin

area of land where water from precipitation drains downhill into a body of water

6. Point Source Pollution

water pollution from a clearly identifiable location

7. Nonpoint Source Pollution

water pollution that comes from many different places

8. Organic Pollution

decomposition of living organisms and their bi-products

9. Inorganic Pollution

dissolved and suspended solids as silt, salts, and minerals

10. Toxic Pollution

heavy metals and other chemical compounds that are lethal to organisms