Ecosystem Health

noun a small songbird with a melodious song

• The warbler is a small, insect-eating bird known for its beautiful song.
• I saw a cute little warbler in the park today, it was singing so sweetly.
• That warbler is one talented bird, it can hit all the high notes!
• Her voice was like a warbler, delicate and melodious.

noun a specific species of bird in the genus Circus

noun a word that refers to 'shifting baselines' which is a concept in ecology that describes the way in which each generation perceives the state of the environment based on the conditions they grew up with, leading to a gradual decline in environmental standa

• The concept of shifting baselines refers to the changing perception of what is considered normal in terms of environmental conditions over time.
• Shifting baselines can make it hard to notice gradual changes in the environment because we get used to them.
• Yo, have you noticed how our idea of what's normal in nature keeps shifting? It's like we're always playing catch-up.
• Just like how our taste in music evolves over time, shifting baselines can alter our perception of what is acceptable in the environment.

noun a small bird that feeds on insects found on large mammals, such as oxen and zebras, forming a symbiotic relationship with the host animal

• The oxpecker is a type of bird known for its symbiotic relationship with large mammals, as it feeds on ticks and parasites found on their skin.
• I saw an oxpecker perched on the back of a buffalo, picking off bugs like it was no big deal.
• That oxpecker is like the personal grooming assistant for those hippos over there.
• Just like an oxpecker cleans parasites off a buffalo, a good friend helps you get rid of toxic people in your life.

noun A type of fish that can inflate itself into a ball shape as a defense mechanism

• The puffer fish, also known as a blowfish, is a type of fish that can inflate itself to deter predators.
• I saw a puffer fish puffing up in the aquarium today, it was so cool!
• That puffer fish is like a little water balloon, so cute!
• She felt like a puffer fish puffing up with pride after receiving the award.

noun a type of primate found in Madagascar, typically with a pointed snout and large eyes

• The lemur is a primate native to Madagascar.
• I saw a cute lemur at the zoo yesterday.
• That lemur is totally chill, dude.
• Her mind was racing like a lemur jumping from tree to tree.