Wildlife Ecology and Conservation Exam Review

Comprehensive vocabulary flashcards covering the core wildlife ecology and conservation terminology, animal natural history facts, genetic principles, population parameters, and interspecific interactions.

Mutation

A change in the base pair sequences (blueprint).

Evolution

Change in the genetic composition of a population over time (a change in allele frequency); can lead to new species if populations are isolated.

Natural selection

Environmental factors favor particular inherited traits.

Corvidae

The family of birds that magpies belong to.

Magpie young and group names

Young magpies are called chicks; groups are called flocks (may have other names depending on the region).

Magpie nest construction time

Takes up to $40\,\text{days}$ for magpies to make their very large nest.

Magpie mating strategy

Monogamous.

Speciation

When new species are produced when populations are isolated for a long time OR their environments change significantly.

Bighorn Sheep (BHS) male and female names

BHS males are called rams and females are called ewes.

Bighorn Sheep (BHS) young and group names

BHS young are called lambs and groups are called herds.

Bighorn Sheep (BHS) mating strategy

Polygynous.

Bighorn Sheep (BHS) size

The largest wild sheep in North America.

Bighorn Sheep (BHS) horns

Both sexes have horns that they retain through their whole life.

Biology

Study of living organisms and their vital processes.

Wildlife

Non-domesticated animals in their natural environments, including vertebrates and invertebrates.

Invertebrate wildlife status

The inclusion or participation of invertebrates in "wildlife" depends on the state.

Wildlife management

The application of scientific knowledge and technical skills to protect, conserve, limit, or enhance wildlife populations.

Biodiversity

Variety of life; includes genetic, species, community, and ecosystem diversity, as well as ecological processes.

Natural resources

Products and/or experiences provided by the earth that are valued by humans; could be renewable or nonrenewable.

Conservation

Sustained use of a resource.

Preservation

A "hands off" method—no manipulation of a species or habitat.

Sustainable

Being able to meet the needs of the present without compromising the ability to meet the needs of the future.

Natural/Life history

Biology, ecology, habits, and other characteristics of a species.

Ecology

Study of the interrelationships among living systems and their environments.

DNA

The genetic code or blueprint for life.

DNA bases

DNA uses four letters (types of molecules called nucleotide bases).

Codon

A series of base pairs; a "word" in a sentence coding for a gene.

Genes

The sentences that spell out how to construct proteins which produce traits.

Chromosomes

The structures in every cell where DNA/genes are found.

Locus

The position of the gene sequence on the chromosome.

Diploid

A cell that has two complete sets of chromosomes.

Alleles

Different versions of the same genes/trait.

Heterozygous traits

Traits that have different alleles from each parent.

Homozygous traits

Traits that have identical alleles from each parent.

Genotype

An individual's genetic blueprint.

Phenotype

What an individual looks like on the outside (physical appearance).

Genotypic variation

Differences in the genetic makeup of individuals.

Phenotypic variation

Differences in the morphological, physiological, or behavioral characteristics.

Populations

Group of interacting individuals of the same species living in a given area at a given time.

Polygamy

Having many mates.

Polyandry

One female to several males.

Polygyny

One male to several females.

Monogamy

Seasonal or lifetime mating.

Promiscuity

Indiscriminate mating.

Elk male terminology

Male elk are called bulls and young males are called spikes.

Elk female and young terminology

Female elk are called cows and their young are called calves.

Elk antlers

Only male elks have antlers that grow in spring and drop each winter.

Elk mating strategy

Polygynous.

Elk lifespan

Free roaming elk have a lifespan of $10-13$ in the wild.

Elk calves

Born May–June and weigh $30\,\text{lbs}$.

Elk groups

Herds.

Population abundance

Number of individuals of a species that occupy a particular area (referred to as $N$).

Birth/natality rate

Number of births per number of individuals in population over a specified period of time.

Death/mortality rate

Number/proportion of population dying over a specified time period.

Fecundity

Number of eggs produced per female (physical ability).

Fertility

The percent of female eggs that are fertile (potential).

Production

The actual number of surviving offspring produced by a population.

Recruitment

The number of new individuals reaching breeding age in the population.

Fitness

The relative ability of an individual or population to survive, reproduce, and pass on genetic material in an environment.

Dispersal

Movement of individuals from one location (birth populations or current population) to another.

Immigration rate

Number of animals entering the population over a specified time period.

Community

Coexisting, interdependent populations of different species in a particular place.

Co-evolution

Species that interact over long time periods influence each other's traits via natural selection.

Predation

Predator eats prey.

Parasitism

One organism uses another for something, becoming a parasite.

Mutualism

When two organisms have a mutually beneficial relationship.

Commensalism

One organism benefits, and the other isn't impacted at all.

Competition

Competition between species to get a resource.

2nd law of thermodynamics

As food is passed from one organism to another, the potential energy contained in the food is reduced step by step, until all the energy in the system becomes dissipated as heat.

Food chains

Pathways over which energy flows through an ecosystem.

Trophic levels

Feeding levels within a food chain.

Nutrient cycling

Nutrients cycle through trophic levels.

Food webs

Natural systems that have more than one route through which energy flows.

Bioaccumulation

An increase in the concentration of a chemical in a biological organism over time.

Biomagnification

The concentration of toxins in an organism as a result of its ingesting other plants or animals in which the toxins are more widely disbursed.

Emigration rate

Number of animals leaving the population over a specified time period.

Biotic potential

Maximum rate at which populations can grow when no resources are limiting (referred to as $R$).

$$R$$

Biotic potential letter.

$$K$$

Carrying capacity letter.

Carrying capacity

Max number of individuals in a population that the habitat can sustain.

Maximum sustained yield

Max number of animals that can be harvested each year.

Density dependent factors

Factors that cause higher mortality or reduced birth rates as a population becomes more dense.

Density independent factors

Factors that operate independent of population density.

Species (biological concept)

Groups of populations that actually or potentially interbreed with each other and produce viable offspring.

Kingdom

1st part of animal classification.

Phylum

2nd part of animal classification.

Class

3rd part of animal classification.

Order

4th part of animal classification.

Family

5th part of animal classification.

Genus

6th part of animal classification.

Species (classification rank)

7th part of animal classification.

King Philip Came Over For Good Soup

Way to remember animal classification (Kingdom, Phylum, Class, Order, Family, Genus, Species).

Habitat

Place or area where a population or an animal lives.

Home range

The total area occupied by an animal during its life.

Territory

Area defended by an organism.

Habitat components

Specific base requirements for a species to survive and found within an animal's habitat.

Ecosystem services

Processes through which ecosystems benefit humans.

Niche

Species' place and function within the environment.

Fundamental niche

All physical, chemical, and biological factors or roles that a species is adapted to for life, growth, and reproduction.

Realized niche

Portion of the fundamental niche where the species actually occupies.