Top 10 Commonly Confused Words in Mountain Ecology

Top 10 Commonly Confused Words in Mountain Ecology 1. Weather vs. Climate Many people use weather and climate interchangeably, but they have distinct meanings. Weather refers to short-term atmospheric conditions, like rain or sunshine, while climate represents long-term patterns, such as the average temperature over years. So, weather is what you experience daily, while climate is the overall trend. 2. Erosion vs. Weathering Erosion and weathering both involve the breakdown of rocks, but they differ in scale. Weathering is the gradual disintegration of rocks into smaller pieces due to natural processes, like temperature changes. On the other hand, erosion is the transportation and deposition of those weathered materials by agents like wind or water. 3. Endemic vs. Native When we talk about species, endemic and native are often used. Endemic species are unique to a particular region and found nowhere else. They have evolved in isolation. On the contrary, native species are those that naturally occur in an area, but they may also be found in other regions. 4. Summit vs. Peak In mountaineering, the terms summit and peak are often used. The summit refers to the highest point of a mountain, while a peak is any prominent point.