FW EXAM

ABIOTIC -- nonliving components of the environment ACCLIMATION -- An environmentally induced change through long term exposure in an individual’s physiological rate or other capacity to perform a function ACTIVE MANAGEMENT -- direct manipulation of animal populations (e.g., translocation, hunt) ADAPTATION -- genetically controlled structural, physiological, or behavioral characteristics that enhance the chances for members of a population to survive and reproduce in their environment ADDITIVE MORTALITY -- a concept in which the effect of one kind of mortality is added to those of other sources of mortality AGE STRUCTURE -- distribution of the number of individuals of various ages AESTHETIC (esthetics) -- possessing qualities that are appreciated for their beauty or emotional values AESTIVATION -- the shutting down of metabolic processes during the summer in response to hot or dry conditions ALLELE -- one of two or more alternative forms of a gene that occupies the same relative position or locus on homologous chromosomes. In a diploid organism, each individual inherits one allele from each parent. ALIEN (EXOTIC/NON-NATIVE) -- any species, including its seeds, eggs, spores, or other biological material capable of propagating that species, that is not native to that ecosystem. ALTRICIAL -- born or hatched relatively undeveloped and remaining in the nest for a substantial period (vs. “precocial”) AMENSALISM -- relationship between two species where one is inhibited or harmed and one is unaffectedANADROMOUS -- fish that begin life in freshwater, travel to and mature in the sea, and return to their native stream to reproduce ANTHROPOMORPHIC -- described or thought of as having a human form or human attributes; ascribing human characteristics to nonhuman things. APHOTIC ZONE -- no sunlight, no photosynthesis. AQUIFER -- a subterranean layer of porous water-bearing rock, gravel, or sand AUTOTROPHS -- producers; organisms that are capable of converting solar energy to chemical energy (sugar) by photosynthesis ASEXUAL REPRODUCTION-- reproduction (as cell division, spore formation, fission, or budding) without union of individuals or gametes BAG LIMIT -- number of animals that can be taken in a unit of time, usually a day; called “creel limit” for anglers (e.g., “6 trout per day”) BEFORE-AFTER-CONTROL-IMPACT (BACI) STUDY -- collection of data before and after an event to determine ecological impact BENTHIC -- pertaining to the lowermost region of an aquatic system. BIOACCUMULATION – increase or build-up of a chemical substance in an organism or part of an organism. BIOMAGNIFICATION (bioamplification) – increase or build-up of a chemical substance in a food chain. BIODIVERSITY -- diversity of life; includes genetic, species, community, and ecosystem diversity as well as ecological processes BIOLOGY -- study of living organisms and their vital processes (Webster) BIOGEOCHEMICAL CYCLES -- movement of elements or compounds through living organisms and nonliving environments in a more or less circular pathway BIOMASS -- total quantity of living organisms per unit of space. BIOMES -- large, relatively distinct ecological systems characterized by particular climate, soil, plants, and animals

BIOSPHERE-- zone of air, land, and water where organisms exist. BIOTA -- all the plants and animals within an area or region BIOTIC -- life or act of living. BIOTIC POTENTIAL -- maximum rate at which population can grow when no resources are limiting (rm BIRTH OR NATALITY RATE -- number of births per number of individuals over a specified time period. BOTTOM-UP. CONTROL -- when the abundance of trophic groups in nature are determined by the amount of energy available from the producers in a community BROOD -- a family of young birds from a single mother; sometimes applied to fish and reptiles BYCATCH -- captured marine organisms, including fish, shellfish, oceanic birds, and marine mammals that are not the target species CANDIDATE SPECIES -- species that warrant listing but are precluded by higher workload priorities CARNIVORES – organisms that feeds on animal tissue from all consumer levels CARRYING CAPACITY (K) -- maximum population size that a habitat can support (a characteristic of habitat) CATADROMOUS -- a fish that grows to sexual maturity in fresh water but migrates to the ocean for spawning CHROMOSOMES -- compact structures consisting of long strands of DNA that are wound around proteins CLIMATE FORCINGS -- an event that can change the balance between incoming and outgoing energy in the climate system, both natural and anthropogenic CLIMAX -- “final” stage of ecological succession that remains in dynamic equilibrium for a relatively long time CODON -- a series of three base pairs, code for a gene COEVOLUTION -- two or more species interacting over a long period of time that have a close ecological relationship, through reciprocal selective pressures, changes in one species can lead to changes in another COHORT -- a group of individuals in a population born during a particular time period, such as a year COMMENSALISM -- interaction between two species where one species benefits and the other species is unaffected COMMUNITY -- coexisting, interdependent populations of different species COMPENSATORY MORTALITY -- The concept that one kind of mortality largely replaces another kind of mortality in animal populations, an animal dying from one cause (e.g., hunting or disease) cannot die from another cause (e.g., predation or starvation), so one source of mortality compensates for the other. COMPETITION -- interaction between individuals that share a required resource that is limited; between organisms of the same species is intraspecific and between organisms of different species is interspecific CONSERVATION -- sustained use of a resource (and so much more!) CONSERVATION BIOLOGY -- an integrative approach to the protection and management of biodiversity CONSERVATION EASEMENTS --land essentially “donated to conservation-binding legal agreement not to develop the land (owner can still ranch, farm, recreate, etc.) CONSERVATION SOCIAL SCIENCE -- using social science to understand and improve conservation CONSUMERS OR HETEROTROPHS -- organisms, which obtain organic nutrients by feeding on dead or live tissues COPROPHAGY -- feeding on feces, this in some species allows them to recover nutrients from their droppings that escaped initial digestion COVER -- any structural resource of the environment that enhances survival of an organism ( e.g., hiding or nesting cover) CREPUSCULAR -- active during twilight, i.e., at dusk or at dawn CRITICAL HABITAT -- specific geographic areas with physical and biological features essential to the conservation of a listed species

DECIMATING FACTORS -- immediate causes of death; often a result of limiting conditions or welfare factors (e.g., starvation, accidents, parasites, disease, predation, hunting)

DENSITY -- number of organisms per unit area 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 DETRITIVORES -- organisms that feed on dead organic matter and waste products that are collectively known as detritus. DIPLOID -- having two haploid sets of homologous chromosomes DISEASE -- any deviation from normal state of health (e.g., malnutrition, infection, parasites, and deformities) DISPERSAL -- movement of individuals from regions of birth or activity for another location (synonymous with emigration, i.e., a one- way movement). DISPERSION - distribution of organisms within a population over an area (e.g., random, clumped or uniformly spaced). DISTURBANCE -- periodic change, destruction, or removal of ecosystem components. SEVERE/REGIONAL- includes fires, floods, hurricanes, clear-cuts, and development. MINOR/LOCAL- includes tree falls and animal burrows or wallows. DISCRETE- clear beginning and end such as a windstorm or avalanche. CONSTANT- continuous, wit no clear end such as pollution and timber/wood harvesting. DIURNAL -- active during daylight. DNA -- genetic code or blueprint for life; uses four types of molecules called bases (GACT). DISPHOTIC ZONE -- decreasing. sunlight, little to no photosynthesis. ECOLOGY -- study of interrelationships among living systems, and their environments. ECOSYSTEM -- the biotic community and its abiotic environment functioning as a system. ECOSYSTEM ENGINEERS -- organisms that directly or indirectly modulate the availability of resources to other species, by causing physical state changes in biotic or abiotic materials. ECOSYSTEM MANAGEMENT -- guardianship that emphasizes ecological systems as functional units for land and resource management and emphasizes the long-term sustainability of those systems – See Grumbine Handout. ECOSYSTEM SERVICES -- processes through which ecosystems and their biota benefit humans (e.g., welfare factors, but also flood control, food production, water filtration, commerce, etc). ECOTONE -- transition zone between two structurally different communities EDGE – place where two or more vegetation types meet (abundance & variety of wildlife is often great in edge) EDGE EFFECT -- response of organisms, animals in particular, to environmental conditions created by the edge EMIGRATION -- movement of part of a population permanently out of an area EMIGRATION RATE – number of animals leaving the population over a specified time period ENDANGERED -- any species in danger of extinction throughout all or a significant portion of its range; legally endangered when status is declared by U.S. Dept. of the Interior ENTROPY -- disorder or randomness in any system ENVIRONMENT -- the sum total of all physical and biological conditions of an organism’s surroundings that may influence them ENVIRONMENTAL DNA (eDNA) -- organismal DNA that can be found in the environment ENVIRONMENTAL ETHICS -- philosophical discipline that considers the moral and ethical relationship of human beings to the environment

ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE -- the fair treatment and meaningful involvement of all people regardless of race, color, national origin, or income, with respect to the development, implementation, and enforcement of environmental laws, regulations, and policies. ENVIRONMENTAL LITERACY -- an individual’s understanding, skills and motivation to make responsible decisions that considers his or her relationships to natural systems, communities and future generations ESTUARY -- highly productive zone that is partially enclosed, where freshwater and seawater meet and mix ETHICS -- encompasses our moral principles and values into codes or systems-belief of what is right and wrong EUPHOTIC ZONE -- sunlight penetrates (down 200 m), photosynthesis possible EUTROPHICATION -- process of nutrient enrichment in aquatic ecosystems EVOLUTION -- a change in allele frequency over time resulting from natural selection and producing cumulative changes in characteristics of a population EXOTIC -- species of wildlife or fish that are not native to an area but introduced EXPONENTIAL GROWTH -- a constant rate of growth applied to a continuously growing base over a period of time; population growth that exceeds the carrying capacity until population numbers saturate the habitat EXTINCTION -- state of a species no longer represented by living individuals FEATURED SPECIES -- species selected for management emphasis because of their high value to humans FECUNDITY -- potential ability of an organism to produce eggs or young; rate of production of young by a female FERAL -- a previously domestic animal that has become established in the wild (e.g., feral cats, feral horses) FERTILITY -- the potential capability of an organism to produce young; percent of eggs that are fertile FITNESS -- the relative ability of an individual or population to survive, reproduce, and pass on genetic material in an environment FOOD CHAIN -- pathways over which energy flows through an ecosystem from green plants to consumer organisms at each trophic level FOOD WEBS – network of complex feeding relationships, interlocking pattern formed by a series of interconnecting food chains FRAGMENTATION -- reduction of a large habitat area into small, scattered remnants FRY -- larval fish; fry of most species become “fingerling” (2-6 in = 5-15 cm) during the first year of life GENERALIST -- species that can live anywhere and eat many different types of food GENES -- part of DNA that is usually located on a chromosome and that contains chemical information needed to make a particular protein controlling or influencing an inherited bodily trait

GENETIC DRIFT -- random change in allele frequency in small/reduced populations. GENETIC VARIABILITY -- amount by which individuals in a population differ from one another due to their genetic makeup GENOMICS -- study of an organism’s complete set of DNA (genome) as well as the interaction of those genes and their interaction with the environment GENOTYPE -- genetic constitution of an organism GENOTYPIC VARIATION-- differences in the genetic makeup of individuals. GESTATION -- the period (or process) of embryo development within the uterus of a mammal GRAVID -- term describing females containing ripening eggs. GUILD -- any group of species that exploit the same resources, or who exploit different resources in related ways HABITAT -- place where an organism lives; suitable habitat must exist within an organism’s environment; the habitat provides food, water, cover, and special needs; habitat is species specific HABITAT COMPONENTS (welfare factors) -- life requirements for healthy, productive wild animals; provided by the animal’s habitat (food, water, cover, space, oxygen in aquatic systems, special factors) HABITAT FRAGMENTATION -- the breaking up of contiguous areas of wildlife habitat, often by home building, road construction, or agriculture HAPLOID -- having the gametic number of chromosomes or half the number characteristic of somatic cells HERBIVORES -- primary consumers (plant-eaters) that feed directly on producers. HETEROTROPH -- organism that is unable to manufacture its own food from simple chemical compounds and consumes other organisms for its source of energy HETEROZYGOUS TRAITS -- have different alleles from each parent (Tt) HOMEOSTASIS -- a stable state of an organism or the tendency of a system to maintain a stable or balanced state HOME RANGE -- the total area occupied by an animal during its life cycle, that is the area required for feeding, breeding, and securing refuge HOMOZYGOUS TRAITS -- have identical alleles from each parent (TT or tt) HUMAN VALUES -- things that are important to individuals that they then use to evaluate actions or events HYPOXIA -- areas in the ocean where there is little oxygen IMMIGRATION -- arrival of new individuals into a given area or population (vs. emigration” out of an area) IMMIGRATION RATE -- number of animals entering the population over a specified time period INBREEDING -- mating between relatives increases the frequency of homozygous individuals. INCUBATION -- period (or process) of development of embryo within eggs; requires heat from “sitting” parent in birds. INDICATOR SPECIES -- species that indicate certain environmental conditions, seral stages, or treatments; can serve as an early warning that a community or an ecosystem is changing or being damaged INDIGENOUS -- found where it/they evolved and generally limited to that area; pronghorn are indigenous to North America. INTRINSIC VALUE -- nature has value independent of people INTRODUCTION -- the intentional or unintentional escape, release, dissemination, or placement of a species into an ecosystem as a result of human activity INSTRUMENTAL VALUE -- being in/seeing nature brings people pleasure or satisfaction INVASIVE SPECIES -- an exotic/alien species whose introduction does or is likely to cause economic or environmental harm or harm to human health

ISLAND BIOGEOGRAPHY THEORY -- the idea that the diversity of a given island is a function of its size and distance from source population KEYSTONE SPECIES -- a species whose activities have a significant role in determining community structure LACEY ACT -- unlawful to import, export, sell, acquire, or purchase fish, wildlife, or plants that are illegally taken, possessed, transported or sold LAND ETHIC -- a view put forth by Aldo Leopold calling on humans to respect the land and all living things 1st ETHIC -- relation between individuals (The Golden Rule) 2^nd ETHIC -- relation between the individual and society 3rd ETHIC -- relation between humans and the land LANDSCAPE ECOLOGY -- the study of the structure, function, and change in a heterogeneous landscape composed of interacting ecosystems LAW OF THE MINIMUM -- refers to limiting effects of availability of resources required by organisms LAWS OF THERMODYNAMICS: 1st Law of Thermodynamics (law of conservation of energy) – energy can only be transformed, not created or destroyed 2nd Law of Thermodynamics – as food is passed from one organism to another, the potential energy contained in the food supply is reduced step by step until all the energy in the system becomes dissipated as heat LAWS OF TOLERANCE (SHELFORD) -- the presence and success of an organism depends on the extent to which a qualitative or quantitative deficiency or access of any one of several factors may approach the limits of tolerance for that organism LEK -- a site where birds (primarily grouse) traditionally gather for sexual display and courtship LENTIC – standing waters (e.g., ponds, lakes, and reservoirs) LIFE HISTORY STRATEGY -- r & K specialists use suites of reproductive adaptations to fit their environment. For example, r-selected species have many, smaller young with little or no parental care while K-selected species produce fewer, larger young that receive extended parental care. LIMITING FACTOR -- factor or condition greater than or outweighing other factors in limiting wildlife population growth LIMNETIC -- shallow water zone of lake or sea in which light penetrates to the bottom but is beyond where rooted vegetation can grow usually >2 meters deep LITTORAL -- shallow water of lake in which light penetrates to the bottom, permitting submerged, floating, and emergent vegetative growth; also shore zone of tidal water between high and low water marks; usually <2 meters deep LOCUS-- the position of the gene sequence on the chromosome LOGISTIC GROWTH -- growth of a population that approaches and remains near carrying capacity, rate of growth becomes zero or near zero (density dependence)

LOTIC -- flowing waters (e.g., streams and rivers) MANAGEMENT -- manipulation of populations or habitats to achieve desired goals by people MAXIMUM SUSTAINED YIELD -- the largest number of fish or wildlife that can be removed without destroying a population’s reproductive capability; ideal MSY is ½ K, but not always practical due to dynamic nature MEIOSIS -- the cellular process that results in the number of chromosomes in gamete-producing cells being reduced to one half and that involves a reduction division in which one of each pair of homologous chromosomes passes to each daughter cell and a mitotic division MIGRATION -- intentional, directional, usually seasonal movement of animals between two regions or habitats; round-trip journey MITOSIS -- a process that takes place in the nucleus of a dividing cell, involves typically a series of steps consisting of prophase, metaphase, anaphase, and telophase, and results in the formation of two new nuclei each having the same number of chromosomes as the parent nucleus MONOGAMY -- mating of one male and one female for one reproductive cycle (serial), one season (annual), or life MORTALITY OR DEATH RATE -- proportion of a population dying per unit of time MULTIPLE-USE MANAGEMENT -- a philosophy of conservation that advocates simultaneous management for more than one resource on an area and/or use of a resource for more than one purpose MUTATIONS -- random change (in DNA sequence) that makes up genes MUTUALISM -- a relationship between two species where both benefit NATALITY -- births; production of new individuals in a population NATIVE SPECIES -- normally live and thrive in a particular ecosystem NATURAL HISTORY -- biology, ecology, habits, and other characteristics of a species NATURAL RESOURCE -- product and/or experiences provided by the Earth that have values to humans (renewable and non-renewable) NATURAL SELECTION -- the process of genetically different individuals with a higher survival potential in a given environment leaving more progeny; differential survival and reproduction of organisms based on genetic differences NET PRIMARY PRODUCTIVITY -- difference between photosynthesis (production) and respiration (use) of biomass NICHE -- functional role of a species in the community, including activities and relationships FUNDAMENTAL NICHE - total range of environmental conditions under which a species can survive

REALIZED NICHE - portion of fundamental niche actually occupied by a species because of competition from populations of other species; environmental conditions under which a population survives and reproduces in nature NOCTURNAL -- active in the dark, i.e., during the night OMNIVORE -- an animal that eats a varied diet of plants and animal matter PASSIVE MANAGEMENT -- no direct action is allocated toward the manipulation of wildlife populations, also called inactive management PARASITISM -- symbiotic relationship where the host is harmed and the parasite benefits PELAGIC – characteristic of deep, open water in the ocean or in large lakes (e.g. pelagic zone or pelagic fishes) PERMAFROST -- permanently frozen ground, only the upper 30 to 100 cm of soil (called the active layer) thaws every summer and then completely refreeze during winter PHENOTYPE -- physical expression of a characteristic of an organism as determined by genetic constitution and environment PHENOTYPIC VARIATION-- differences in morphological, physiological or behavioral characteristics POACH -- to illegally take (kill) fish or wildlife POLYANDRY -- mating of one female with more than one male within a single reproductive cycle POLYGAMY -- any mating system that includes more than one mate of either sex (see polygyny, polyandry, promiscuity) POLYGYNY -- mating of one male with more than one female within a single reproductive cycle POPULATION -- a group of individuals of the same species living in a given area at a given time with interaction POPULATION ABUNDANCE -- number of individuals of a species that occupies a particular area PRECOCIAL -- born or hatched relatively well-developed and soon able to move about (e.g., ducklings and fawns) PREDATION – interaction where one living organism serves as a food source for another PRESERVATION -- “Hands off” no manipulation of a species or its habitat PRIMARY PRODUCTIVITY – equals the rate at which primary producers capture and store energy in a given interval GROSS - total rate of photosynthesis for an ecosystem during a specified interval NET - rate of energy storage in plant tissues minus metabolic activities that use energy (photosynthesis minus respiration) PRIMARY SUCCESSION -- an ecological succession that develops in an area not previously occupied by a community PRINCIPLE OF COMPETITIVE EXCLUSION -- when two or more species coexist using the same resource, one must displace or exclude the other PRODUCERS -- green plants and certain chemosynthetic bacteria that convert light or chemical energy into organismal tissue PRODUCTION -- actual number of surviving offspring produced by a population PROMISCUITY-- mating between any number of males and females with no pair bonds formed

RANGE OF TOLERANCE -- the range of physical and/or chemical conditions in which a species can survive. These include moisture, temperature, radiation, micronutrients, and oxygen RECRUITMENT -- number of new individuals added to a wildlife population by natural reproduction, immigration, or stocking that reach breeding age in the population REDLINING -- racial discrimination of any kind in housing, but it comes from government maps that outlined areas where Black residents lived and were therefore deemed risky investments RED QUEEN HYPOTHESIS – concept that states organisms must evolve to maintain their place or become outcompeted; continue to evolve (running as fast as you can just to keep up) RESERVOIR -- large, usually deep, human-made bodies of water, often associated with dams SCIENCE -- knowledge covering general truths or the operation of general laws especially as obtained and tested through the scientific method SECONDARY SUCCESSION -- an ecological succession that occurs in an area that at one time already supported living organisms SERAL STAGES -- overlapping phases without succession SEXUAL REPRODUCTION-- production of new organisms by the combination of genetic information of two individuals of different sexes (britannica) SPECIATION – formation of a new species 1. Long linear change due to environmental changes 2. Splitting into two populations through distribution in different areas (geographic isolation) 3. Reproductive isolation – if geographic isolation is long enough then two groups may no longer interbreed and begin to diverge because of different selective pressures until they can’t interbreed and produce fertile offspring SPECIES -- groups of populations that actually or potentially interbreed with each other and produce viable offspring SUCCESSION -- process of community development and replacement over time; often progresses to a relatively stable stage in community development called a climax community SUSTAINABLE -- meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability to meet the needs of the future SYSTEMS THINKING -- process of modeling interactions and feedback TERRITORY -- area defended by an organism; varies among species according to social behavior, social organization, and resource requirements of different species THREATENED -- any species that is likely to become “endangered” in the foreseeable future; legal term when threatened status is declared by U.S. Dept. of Interior TRAGEDY OF THE COMMONS -- term used to describe what happens to common resources as a result of human use (overuse) which ultimately depletes/destroys a shared limited resource even though this is not in the long-term best interest of humans and the earth TROPHIC LEVELS -- feeding levels within a food chain; functional classification of organisms in an ecosystem according to feeding relationships from first-level autotrophs through succeeding levels of herbivores and carnivores UMBRELLA SPECIES -- Usually have a large area requirement for which the conservation of the species extends the protection to other species sharing the same habitat UNGULATE -- a hoofed mammal (e.g., deer, elk, moose, bighorn sheep, pronghorn antelope, horses, cattle) URBAN ADAPTERS -- species that may utilize human resources and survive in urban areas, but do not necessarily receive an added benefit from living with humans URBAN AVOIDERS -- species that are highly sensitive and often unable to persist in urban environments URBAN ECOLOGY -- the study of ecological processes in urban environments

URBAN EXPLOITERS -- species whose populations reach higher abundances than in the wild URBAN-RURAL GRADIENT STUDY -- ecological data collection along transects that run from areas of high human development to areas of low human development UTILITARIAN ETHIC -- “greatest good for the greatest number for the longest time” VERTICAL ZONATION -- refers to the distinct biomes or vegetative zones found on mountains. IACUC’s: Verabreates. WATERSHED -- drainage basin; entire region drained by a waterway that drains into a lake or reservoir ocean WELFARE FACTORS (habitat components) – life requirements for healthy, productive wild animals; provided by the animal’s habitat (food, water, cover, space, oxygen in aquatic systems, special factors) WILDLIFE -- undomesticated animals in their natural environments including vertebrates and invertebrates WILDLIFE CORRIDOR -- a protected area that connects two or more wildlife preserves, allowing species to migrate to new habitat to find food, mates, or nesting WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT -- the scientifically based art of manipulating habitats to produce a desired effect: protect, conserve, limit, or enhance wildlife populations