average: (in science) A term for the arithmetic mean, which is the sum of a group of numbers that is then divided by the size of the group.
canopy: (in botany) The top layer of a tree — or forest — where the tallest branches overlap.
climate change: Long-term, significant change in the climate of Earth. It can happen naturally or in response to human activities, including the burning of fossil fuels and clearing of forests.
coauthor: One of a group (two or more people) who together had prepared a written work, such as a book, report or research paper. Not all coauthors may have contributed equally.
computer model: A program that runs on a computer that creates a model, or simulation, of a real-world feature, phenomenon or event.
deforestation: The intentional removal of all trees from notable pieces of forested land. Sometimes this has been done to make way for roads or towns. It may also be done to harvest trees for income from lumber.
dire: An adjective that means grave, or hard to survive.
ecologist: A scientist who works in a branch of biology that deals with the relations of organisms to one another and to their physical surroundings.
gene: (adj. genetic) A segment of DNA that codes, or holds instructions, for a cell’s production of a protein. Offspring inherit genes from their parents. Genes influence how an organism looks and behaves.
insight: The ability to gain an accurate and deep understanding of a situation just by thinking about it, instead of working out a solution through experimentation.
International Space Station: An artificial satellite that orbits Earth. Run by the United States and Russia, this station provides a research laboratory from which scientists can conduct experiments in biology, physics and astronomy — and make observations of Earth.
photosynthesis: (verb: photosynthesize) The process by which green plants and some other organisms use sunlight to produce foods from carbon dioxide and water.
pixel: Short for picture element. A…
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