APPENDIX A 

 Definition of Terms 



Acclimation 



An ecological phenomenon comprising adjustments of organisms to 

 alterations in the intensity patterns of variables in their environ- 

 ment. The success of this phenomenon results in a relative increase 

 in their capacity to survive, reproduce, or compete with other species. 

 The terms adaptation and nongenetic adaptation are synonyms for acclimation. 



Adaptations often consist of a variety of adjustments of both 

 functions and structures. They may be genetically determined (genetic 

 adaptation) or environmentally induced (nongenetic adaptation). 



Brackish water 



A mixohaline water of between 0.5°/oo and 30°/ooS (Venice System) 

 usually found in restricted coastal regions such as estuaries or salt 

 marshes and in larger landlocked seas such as the Baltic, the Caspian 

 and the Ural Sea. 



Estuaries 



Bodies of water where seawater is measurably diluted with fresh 

 water from land drainage. 



Euryhaline 



Animals and plants which are tolerant of a wide range of salini- 

 ties are euryhaline; as opposed to this, those that are restricted to 

 a narrow range of salinity, usually to full strength seawater or 

 fresh water, are called stenohaline . 



Hyperosmotic 



A solution that is more concentrated than the comparison solution. 



Al 



