Environment & Nature Vocabulary

Essential vocabulary for the environment, nature, and the world around us. Learn key words for discussing natural resources, ecosystems, and environmental protection.

What is Environment & Nature Vocabulary?

Environment & Nature Vocabulary covers important terms related to the earth, natural resources, plants, animals, and environmental protection. This vocabulary helps you understand nature and discuss environmental issues.

Learning environment and nature vocabulary helps you:
• Describe the natural world
• Discuss environmental problems
• Understand conservation efforts
• Participate in protecting nature

Environment & Nature Words

Word	Meaning	Example
Environment	The natural world around us	We must protect the environment.
Nature	Everything not made by humans	Nature is beautiful in spring.
Ecosystem	A community of living things and their environment	A forest is a complex ecosystem.
Habitat	The natural home of an animal or plant	The polar bear's habitat is melting.
Climate	The usual weather in a place	Climate change affects everyone.
Weather	Day-to-day atmospheric conditions	The weather is sunny today.
Pollution	Harmful substances in the environment	Air pollution is a big problem.
Conservation	Protecting nature and resources	Conservation helps save endangered species.
Recycle	To use materials again	Recycle paper and plastic.
Renewable	Can be replaced naturally	Solar energy is renewable.
Nonrenewable	Cannot be replaced easily	Coal is a nonrenewable resource.
Resource	Something useful from nature	Water is a vital resource.
Deforestation	Cutting down forests	Deforestation destroys habitats.
Wildlife	Animals living in nature	Wildlife needs protection.
Species	A group of similar living things	Many species are endangered.
Endangered	At risk of disappearing	Tigers are endangered animals.
Extinct	No longer existing	Dinosaurs are extinct.
Biodiversity	Variety of life in an area	Rainforests have high biodiversity.
Ozone	A gas that protects Earth from the sun	The ozone layer is thinning.
Greenhouse	A building for growing plants	Tomatoes grow well in a greenhouse.
Greenhouse effect	Warming caused by gases in the atmosphere	The greenhouse effect leads to global warming.
Global warming	Increase in Earth's temperature	Global warming melts ice caps.
Sustainable	Able to last or continue	Sustainable farming protects the land.
Organic	Grown without chemicals	Organic food is healthier.
Erosion	Wearing away of soil or rock	Erosion damages farmland.
Flood	Overflow of water	Floods can destroy homes.
Drought	Long period without rain	Drought affects crops.
Forest	Large area of trees	The forest is home to many animals.
Desert	Dry, sandy area	Camels live in the desert.
Ocean	Large body of salt water	The ocean covers most of Earth.
River	Large stream of water	The river flows to the sea.
Lake	Body of water surrounded by land	We swam in the lake.
Mountain	High, rocky landform	Mount Everest is the highest mountain.
Valley	Low area between hills or mountains	The valley is green in summer.
Hill	Small raised area of land	The house is on a hill.
Soil	Earth where plants grow	Rich soil helps plants grow.
Plant	Living thing that grows in the ground	A rose is a plant.
Tree	Large plant with a trunk	The tree gives shade.
Flower	Colorful part of a plant	The garden has many flowers.
Grass	Short green plant	Cows eat grass.
Animal	Living creature that moves	The zoo has many animals.
Bird	Animal with feathers and wings	The bird is singing.
Fish	Animal that lives in water	We saw fish in the pond.
Insect	Small animal with six legs	A bee is an insect.
Mammal	Animal that has hair and feeds milk	Humans are mammals.
Reptile	Cold-blooded animal with scales	A snake is a reptile.
Amphibian	Animal that lives in water and on land	A frog is an amphibian.
Fungus	Organism like mushrooms	A mushroom is a fungus.
Leaf	Flat part of a plant	The leaf is green.
Root	Part of a plant under the ground	Roots absorb water.
Seed	Small part that grows into a plant	Plant the seed in spring.