| Term | Definition |
| Plant Community | mix of interdependent plants that naturally grow in one place |
| Environment | the physical conditions of the natural surroundings. Climate, sunlight, temperature, etc... |
| Natural Vegetation | typical plant life in areas where humans have not altered |
| Deciduous | Trees that shed leaves during one season. |
| Coniferous | Have cones that carry and protect their seeds. |
| Chaparral | Small evergreen trees and low bushes, or scrub. |
| Savannas | Huge tropical grasslands. |
| Tundra | Temperatures are always cool or cold. |
| Permafrost | Soil below the surface that stays permanently frozen. |