EcoAmerica Tours Glossary

Greetings Everyone!

Today I have devised a glossary of terms that are specific to our tours and vacations and will be helpful to you on your travels.  If you have any questions or ideas of words and phrases that you think I should add... just leave a comment and I will be happy to include them.

A la Cart - ordering items separately - “according to the menu”

Aerial Tramway - a type of aerial lift which uses one or two stationary ropes for support while a third moving rope provides propulsion. These are used for the rainforest canopy excursion.

Air Strip - An airstrip or airfield is a kind of airport that consists only of a runway with perhaps fueling equipment. They are generally in remote locations.

All-Inclusive - resort that includes a minimum of three meals daily, soft drinks, most alcoholic drinks, gratuities, and selected accommodations in the price. Many also offer sports and other activities included in the price as well.

Amazon River - located in South America, begins in the Peruvian Andes, and winds its way east over the northern half of South America. It meets the Atlantic Ocean at Belem, Brazil. The main river is about 4,080 miles long.

Amazon Basin - the part of South America drained by the Amazon River and its tributaries

Amazon Rainforest - The Amazon rainforest, also known as Amazonia, covers some 40% of the South American continent and includes parts of eight South American countries: Brazil, Bolivia, Peru, Ecuador, Colombia, Venezuela, Guyana, and Suriname, as well as French Guiana, a department of France. Its one of the world's greatest natural resources. Because its vegetation continuously recycles carbon dioxide into oxygen, it has been described as the "Lungs of our Planet". About 20% of earth's oxygen is produced by the Amazon rainforest.

ATV - an all terrain vehicle used on excursions that come across rough grounds. Otherwise known as a 4-wheeler

Biological Reserve - An area of land and/or of water designated as having protected status for purposes of preserving certain biological features. Reserves are managed primarily to safeguard these features and provide opportunities for research into the problems underlying the management of natural sites and of vegetation and animal populations. Regulations are normally imposed controlling public access and disturbance.

Blowhole -  A blowhole is the name of a rare geologic feature in which air is either blown out or sucked into a small hole at the surface due to pressure differences between a closed underground cavern system and the surface.

Bluff - A cliff, headland, or hill with a broad, steep face. Presumably the steep face would lead to the water in the case of a beach, although it doesn't necessarily have to be.

Boutique Hotel - a term popularized in North America and the United Kingdom to describe intimate, usually luxurious or quirky hotel environments. Boutique hotels differentiate themselves from larger chain/branded hotels and motels by providing personalized accommodation and services / facilities. Sometimes known as "design hotels" or "lifestyle hotels".

Cable Cart - (similar to aerial tram) the vehicle that is used during a rainforest canopy tour. A type of aerial lift which uses one or two stationary ropes for support while a third moving rope provides propulsion.

Canal - a long narrow arm of the sea penetrating far inland.

Canyon - a deep valley with steep sides, often with a stream flowing through it.

Catamaran - a float or sailing raft formed of a number of logs lashed together, used in parts of South America

Cliff - a high steep face of a rock; drop or drop-off

Cloud Forest - a tropical high-altitude forest, often near peaks of coastal mountains, at 3000 to 8000 feet (1000 to 2500 meters) above sea level, almost constantly covered by cloud.

Coral Reef - A mound or ridge of living coral, coral skeletons, and calcium carbonate deposits from other organisms such as calcareous algae, mollusks, and protozoans. Most coral reefs form in warm, shallow sea waters and rise to or near the surface, generally in the form of a barrier reef , fringing reef , or atoll . Coral reefs grow upward from the sea floor as the polyps of new corals cement themselves to the skeletons of those below and in turn provide support for algae and other organisms whose secretions serve to bind the skeletons together. The resulting structure provides a critical habitat for a wide variety of fish and marine invertebrates. Coral reefs also protect shores against erosion by causing large waves to break and lose some of their force before reaching land. (Provided by The American Heritage® Science Dictionary. Houghton Mifflin Company. 26 Jul. 2011. Dictionary.com - Coral Reef)

Cruise Ship - a passenger ship built or used for pleasure cruises, usually taking passengers on an extended cruise with occasional calls in various places of interest.

Domestic Flight - a flight that begins and ends in the same country

Dry Forest - an ecoregion, which stretches along the Pacific Coast, corresponds to a tropical habitat that has a prolonged dry season of 5-8 months and is home to important plant and animal species, and the people. This totally fragmented ecoregion, is represented in less than 2% of the original habitat.

Dwarf Rainforest - these are found typically near volcanoes and the vegetation growth is the same as in a rainforest, just smaller. The dwarfism is caused by the volcanic minerals.

Eco System - a biological environment consisting of all the organisms living in a particular area, as well as all the nonliving, physical components of the environment with which the organisms interact, such as air, soil, water and sunlight. It is all the organisms in a given area, along with the nonliving factors with which they interact; a biological community and its physical environment. (Provided by Wikipedia - Eco System)

En-Route - on the way to another place

Estuary - a place where a river and the sea meet mixing fresh water and salt water often causing tide flows.

Expedition - a journey or voyage for exploration of an area or place; a pleasure trip or excursion

Flooded Forest - a part of the amazon rainforest that becomes flooded during the high rainy season where river levels fluctuate as much as 20 to 40 feet, swelling with rainfall that averages 100 inches per year. The annual flooding makes this area an ever-changing environment. Nutrients are replenished by the receding flood waters. Four types of vegetation grow in this landscape. Three can be found along the floodplain meanders (one of a series of naturally occurring curves in the course of a stream or river) that are carved out as water constantly floods and recedes: successional vegetation, forest mosaics, and, in poorly drained areas, aquatic vegetation. The fourth type is permanent swamp vegetation. These flooded forests are ecologically significant. They rapidly cycle the nutrients that are deposited in the constant floods, stabilize flooded soils, host a great diversity of plant and animal life (both terrestrial and aquatic). (Provided by National Geographic - Flooded Forest)

Flora - the plants characteristic of a region

Forest Canopy - the forest canopy is formed by closely-spaced tree tops. In a forest, the branches at the top of trees intermingle so completely that another habitat is created above the forest floor. The Forest Service points out that the canopy is responsible for 90 percent of all the photosynthesis that occurs in a forest. This energy-producing process effectively fuels the rest of the ecosystem. The canopy also prevents harmful pollutants trapped in rain water from reaching the soil and keeps the forest floor cool. The water that trees emit during photosynthesis contributes to local cloud formation. (Provided by eHow.com - Forest Canopy)

Fauna - animals of a given region

Fumaroles - Leaving small holes where volcanic vapors.

Gorge - a narrow cleft with steep, rocky walls, especially one through which a stream runs; a small canyon

Hanging Bridge - a bridge that is suspended that goes from one side of the river, canyon, or gorge, to the other. Supported by anchors at either end and has no towers or piers. The deck follows the downward and upward arc using either rope or cables for handrails.

Hectares - acres

Highlands - a mountainous or elevated region

Hot Springs - a thermal spring having water warmer than 98°F (37°C) which is usually heated by flowing from or passage near hot or molten rock.

International Airport - an airport that provides flights from one country to another

International Flight - a flight that takes off in one country and lands in another

Jungle - a wild land overgrown with dense vegetation, often nearly impenetrable, especially tropical vegetation or a tropical rain forest.

Kayak - a small light canoe-like boat consisting of a light frame covered with watertight material; a fiberglass or canvas-covered canoe of similar design

Lagoon - a small and shallow body of water that is adjoined by a larger body of water and is separated from it by a narrow strip of land, such as a barrier island, coral reef, or low sandy dunes

Lava Flows - Lava flows are streams of molten rock that pour or ooze from an erupting vent. Lava is erupted during either nonexplosive activity or explosive lava fountains. Lava flows destroy everything in their path, but most move slowly enough that people can move out of the way. The speed at which lava moves across the ground depends on several factors, including (1) type of lava erupted and its viscosity; (2) steepness of the ground over which it travels; (3) whether the lava flows as a broad sheet, through a confined channel, or down a lava tube; and (4) rate of lava production at the vent. (Provided by USGS (US Geological Survey) – Lava Flows and Their Effects)

Lowlands - land that is low in comparison to its surroundings

Mangrove Forest - woody, specialized types of trees of the tropics that can live on the edge, where rainforests meet oceans. Found on sheltered coastlines and river deltas, they grow in brackish wetlands between land and sea where other plants can't grow. They protect the coastline and prevent erosion by collecting sediment from the rivers and streams and slowing down the flow of water. (Provided by Blue Planet Biomes - Mangrove Forest)

Meal Codes - B= Breakfast L=Lunch D=Dinner

Nature Air flight - viewing scenery from an airplane

Nature Cruise - travel by boat along rivers to observe communities and habitats

Nature Exhibit - usually located within a protected area or park. They are designed to educate people about nature and the environment and usually have trails through their property. Their properties can be characterized as nature preserves and wildlife sanctuaries

Nature Walk - walking or hiking through an area where nature and the surrounding environment are observed

Plateau - a land area that is generally a flat surface that is raised above the land adjoining it and often cut by deep canyons

Private Transfer - transfer from one place to another via a vehicle that only includes either yourself or those in your party

Rainforest - dense forest found in tropical areas of heavy rainfall. The trees are broad-leaved and evergreen, and the vegetation tends to grow in three layers (undergrowth, intermediate trees and shrubs, and very tall trees, which form a canopy)

Rainforest by the Sea - literally a rainforest on the edge or close to the sea

River Cruise - generally a boat that carries multiple passengers exploring and observing a particular river

River Rafting & Classifications - using a raft to travel down a river – Classifications go from Class I (calm waters) to Class IV (active waters)

Sanctuary - a place, protected by law, where animals, especially birds, can live and breed without interference

Savanna - grassland region with scattered trees, grading into either open plain or woodland, usually in subtropical or tropical regions

Scuba Diving - the activity or recreation of diving or exploring underwater through use of a scuba device

Sea Kayaking - using a small light canoe-like boat consisting of a light frame covered with watertight material in the sea as opposed to in a river or lagoon or other calm waters

Shared Transfer - transfer from one place to another via a vehicle that is shared with other passengers that are not included in your party

Skiff - any of various small boats propelled by oars, sail, or motor

Sky Tram - a type of aerial lift which uses one or two stationary ropes for support while a third moving rope provides propulsion. These are used for the rainforest canopy excursion.

Snorkeling - a swimming activity using a snorkel, a hard rubber or plastic tube through which you breath through, and a mask. This is done to view a variety of things underwater.

Thermal Pool - thermal spring having water warmer than 98°F (37°C) which is usually heated by flowing from or passage near hot or molten rock.

Vegetation - plant life

Wetlands - Natural land-use type that is covered by salt water or fresh water for some time period. This land type can be identified by the presence of particular plant species or characteristic conditions.