This general glossary compiles definitions of specialized terms used throughout the Encyclopedia of Earth. Each term listed below has had a blue link created to allow authors to link to the given term in any article without having the reader leave the page. The terms below are words or phrases for which an entire article on the Encylopedia of Earth is not necessarily envisioned:

• Atomic numberThe number of protons in the nucleus of a given atom: The number of protons in the nucleus of a given atom.
• BenthopelagicOrganisms inhabiting the lower portion of the water column in surface waters.: Benthopelagic organisms are those inhabiting the lower portion of the water column in surface waters.
• CalcareousSoils which are high in limestone content: Soils which are high in limestone content.
• CatchmentCatchment is the entire area of a hydrological drainage basin.: The entire area of a hydrological drainage basin
• CirqueAn amphitheatre-shaped valley head, formed by glacial erosion: An amphitheatre-shaped valley head, formed by glacial erosion
• DemersalAn organism living at the bottom of a surface water system.: A demersal organism is one living at the bottom of a surface water system
• DiadromousFish that migrate between seawater and freshwater: Fish that migrate between seawater and freshwater
• EndothermicA process or reaction that absorbs energy, most often as heat: A process or reaction that releases energy, most often as heat
• ExothermicA process or reaction that releases energy, most often as heat, light or sound : A process or reaction that releases energy, most often as heat, light or sound
• IntactThe condition of an ecological habitat being an undisturbed or natural environment: The condition of an ecological habitat being an undisturbed or natural environment
• LateriteA soil type rich in aluminum and iron, found in wet tropical zones: A soil type rich in aluminum and iron, found in wet tropical zones
• Noble gasAny of the elements with complete electron shells: helium, neon, argon, xenon, krypton, radon: Any of the elements with complete electron shells: helium, neon, argon, xenon, krypton, radon
• Post-glacial reboundRise of a land mass previously depressed by massive glacier in a prior ice age: Rise of a land mass previously depressed by massive glacier in a prior ice age
• Siliceoussoils which are crystalline in nature, chiefly silica, and typically acidic: Soils which are crystalline in nature, chiefly silica, and typically acidic
• ThermokarstIrregular surace landforms resulting from the thawing of ice-rich permafrost: Irregular surace landforms resulting from the thawing of ice-rich permafrost
• Vicarianceformation of a physical barrier that splits a biological taxon range, blocking gene flow or dispersal: Formation of a physical barrier that splits a biological taxon range, blocking gene flow or dispersal
• Wind pruningA process whereby trees have an asymetric form due to persistant high winds from a predominant direction: A process where trees have an asymmetric form due to persistant high winds from a predominant direction

Notes

Authors wishing to add to this list should:

• Determine that the term has not been previously added to the glossary under a similar name
• Make sure the glossary term has been properly added to at least one article
• Use 16 point bolded font in the edit addition for the term itself when added to this page