1. The gradual and natural growth of land resulting from forces of nature, as in sediment deposition by a river or stream.
2. The incremental augmentation or accrual of something, such as interest on an investment.

Area measurement (square measure) used primarily in the United States. One (1) acre is equal to 43,560 square feet, 4,046.86 square meters, or 0.4047 hectares.

Any broad area of water; also any broad group of islands.

An inlet from the sea or other body of water.

A deep gully made with an intermittent stream; a dry gulch.

Water rising to the surface under internal hydrostatic pressure.

Wells made by drilling into the earth and finding water which flows spontaniously from internal pressure. Like a fountain.

The direction in which a slope faces, usually recorded as a bearing or azimuth.

A small island the shape of a ring or horseshoe; formed by deposits of coral sea animals

The final step in the scientific method. After the experiment is conducted, the expected result is compared to the observed result, and a determination is made that the research hypothesis is either valid or invalid. If deemed invalid, a new or alternate hypothesis must be developed, and the scientific research process (scientific method) starts anew.

1. The process of moving from general evidence, principles, or nonobservable explanations to specific observable actions, consequences, or conclusions. 2. In the scientific method, deductive reasoning is used to determine the specific observations, measurements, or other data that will either support or contradict the research hypothesis.

1. The process of moving from general evidence, principles, or nonobservable explanations to specific observable actions, consequences, or conclusions. 2. In the scientific method, deductive reasoning is used to determine the specific observations, measurements, or other data that will either support or contradict the research hypothesis.

1. Variation in the physical characteristics of ecosystems across a landscape caused by variation in soil, slope, aspect, elevation, climate, and geology, and the accompanying variation in biotic communities. Also known as ecological or biological diversity.

A depression in the earth formed from running water from rain or winter thaw.

A sea of sand. A large land area of shifting sand.

1. The anticipated outcome of a scientific experiment according to the research hypothesis. 2. In the scientific method, the expected result is the outcome of the experiment if the research hypothesis is true.

The process used to test research hypotheses in the scientific method. In order to be useful in scientific inquiry, an experiment should be objective, with reliable and verifiable data. In addition, the results of the experiment must be reproducible by other scientists.

A deep ditch or channel cut in the earth by running water usually from rain or winter thaw.

Different or dissimilar in structure, function, composition, quality, or origin.

An explanation for natural or other phenomena, developed using abductive reasoning following observation (the scientific method). The hypothesis is tested through the use of designed experiments, and shown to be either valid or invalid. If the original research hypothesis is deemed invalid, a new hypothesis must be developed, often based on further ovservation as well as the results from the previous experiment(s).

A scale comparing relative values with each other or a predetermined reference.

The first step in the scientific method, observation is the act of examining, inspecting, or scrutinizing natural or other phenomena in such a manner that leads to the use of abductive reasoning to explain them.

The actual outcome of a designed experiment using the scientific method. This outcome is compared to the expected outcome as described in the research hypothesis, and a conclusion is made that the experimental data either supports or contradicts the hypothesis.

A ridge of rock, coral, or sand at or near the surface of a body of water.

A pattern of regular or semi-regular occurrences or processes that characterizes and governs a natural system, as in precipitation regime, fire regime, disturbance regime, etc.