[dahy-awf, -of] 
| a sudden, natural perishing of large numbers of a species, population, or community. |
| die-off (dī'ôf', -ŏf') n. The elimination of a species, population, or community of plants or animals as a result of natural causes. |
| die-off (dī'ôf') Pronunciation Key
A sudden, severe decline in a population or community of organisms as a result of natural causes. Local die-offs can be caused by such factors as an unusual or extreme weather pattern, an outbreak of disease, or toxic algal blooms in a body of water. Widespread or global die-offs in which a species or group of species becomes extinct are generally associated with rapid climate change or other large-scale environmental dislocations. |