Invasive Species Vocabulary Sort

Invasive SpeciesA shrub or small tree that reaches over 30 feet in height, typically with a short trunk hidden in a thicket of branches; a member of the poison ivy family, native to South America.

MangrovesHardy species which are the first to colonize previously disrupted or damaged ecosystems, beginning a chain of ecological succession that ultimately leads to a more biodiverse steady-state ecosystem.

Shoal GrassThe saltiness or dissolved salt content of a body of water. Salinity is an important factor in determining many aspects of the chemistry of natural waters and of biological processes within it.

Turtle Grass A partly enclosed coastal body of brackish water with one or more rivers or streams flowing into it, and with a free connection to the open sea.

Brazilian Pepper Tree Any plant or animal that has the potential to cause serious economic or ecological harm to an environment.

Pioneer SpeciesThe area that is above water at low tide and under water at high tide (in other words, the area between tide marks). Includes many different types of habitats, with many types of animals, such as starfish, sea urchins, and numerous species of coral.

Estuary Are coastal wetlands that form when mud is deposited by tides or rivers; found in sheltered areas such as bays, and estuaries.

Intertidal ZoneVarious large and extensive types of trees up to medium height and shrubs that grow in saline coastal sediment habitats in the tropics and subtropics.

SalinityA "seagrass" that may form carpet-like beds in warm, shallow waters from the southeastern United States to South America (seagrasses superficially resemble grasses.The saltiness or dissolved salt content of a body of water.

MudflatsA species of marine seagrass. It forms meadows in shallow sandy or muddy locations in the Caribbean Sea and the Gulf of Mexico.

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Invasive Species Any plant or animal that has the potential to cause serious economic or ecological harm to an environment.

MangrovesVarious large and extensive types of trees up to medium height and shrubs that grow in saline coastal sediment habitats in the tropics and subtropics.

Shoal GrassA "seagrass" that may form carpet-like beds in warm, shallow waters from the southeastern United States to South America (seagrasses superficially resemble grasses.

Turtle Grass A species of marine seagrass. It forms meadows in shallow sandy or muddy locations in the Caribbean Sea and the Gulf of Mexico.

Brazilian Pepper Tree A shrub or small tree that reaches over 30 feet in height, typically with a short trunk hidden in a thicket of branches; a member of the poison ivy family, native to South America.

Pioneer Species Hardy species which are the first to colonize previously disrupted or damaged ecosystems, beginning a chain of ecological succession that ultimately leads to a more biodiverse steady-state ecosystem.

Estuary A partly enclosed coastal body of brackish water with one or more rivers or streams flowing into it, and with a free connection to the open sea.

Intertidal ZoneThe area that is above water at low tide and under water at high tide (in other words, the area between tide marks). Includes many different types of habitats, with many types of animals, such as starfish, sea urchins, and numerous species of coral.

SalinityThe saltiness or dissolved salt content of a body of water. Salinity is an important factor in determining many aspects of the chemistry of natural waters and of biological processes within it.

Mudflats Are coastal wetlands that form when mud is deposited by tides or rivers; found in sheltered areas such as bays, and estuaries.

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