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Glossary of Wetland Terms |
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fecal coliform: Escherichia coli, E. Coli; of the family Enterobacteriaceae; bacteria naturally abundant in the lower intestine of humans and other warm-blooded animals, but rare in unpolluted waters. fertilizer: natural or synthetic materials used to increase the fertility of soil. A significant ingredient in urban and agricultural runoff that stimulates the growth of algae and other aquatic plants. field garlic: Allium vineale; an exotic invasive plant that grows in a clearing (meadow or field). filtration: the process of removing suspended particles from untreated water by passing the water through porous substances; part of the process to convert raw water into higher quality water. fishfly: an aquatic macroinvertebrate of the order Megaloptera; larvae have many filamentous appendages on each side of the abdomen, two hooked tails, six jointed legs, and large pinchers for mouth parts; somewhat sensitive to pollution. flocculation: part of a water-cleaning process in which small sticky particles clump together to make larger and heavier particles (floc). The larger particles eventually sink to the bottom of a containment area and can then be removed. fluoridation: part of the water treatment process in which hydrofluorosilicic acid is added to untreated water. The presence of fluoride in water reduces tooth decay. food chain: a series of steps from producers to consumers to decomposers; one possible way food and energy are transferred through an ecosystem. food web: all feeding relationships of organisms in an ecosystem. forage: the act of searching for food or provisions; to wander in search of food or provisions. forest: a dense growth of trees, together with other plants, covering a large area. fossil: The preserved remains or evidence of ancient organisms. Impressions of body forms or markings made by organisms may be preserved in rock, petrified bones, or wood. fossil fuel: substances derived from the decomposition of prehistoric plants and animals that can be burned to produce energy (i.e., coal, oil, and natural gas). fresh water: water that is not saline or brackish. Water that is low in salts, containing less than 1,000 mg/L of dissolved solids. fungus (plural, fungi): a type of phytoplankton; made of eukaryotic cells with cell walls; fungi obtain food by absorbing organic substances. |
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