Adaptation - a characteristic (genetically controlled) that aids
an organism to survive and reproduce in the environment it inhabits.
Ecological scale-
Ecology covers a wide array of scales. Wildlife management deals
primarily at the
population level.
Evolution - Theory (rigorously tested
and as yet un-refuted) explaining changes in individuals of a
"species"
over time. Evolution is really nothing more than progressive changes in
the frequency and kinds of genes in populations.
Extinction-
loss of species. Over geologic time there have
been major extinction event and many more species have been lost than
are currently present on the planet.
Fitness
–
an individuals’
fitness is measured by the proportion of its’
genes left in the gene pool.
Fitness - An individual who was very
successful in leaving offspring (which in turn were successful) will
leave a greater proportion of its’
genetic compliment in the population than will an individual who was not
so successful. This successful individual had greater fitness.
Habitat - The place an
animal lives.(address) Necessarily includes: food, cover, and water
arranged in space such that it provides the needs for individuals to
survive.
Habitat Type -
land units having approximately the same capacity to
produce vegetation (Daubenmire 1976)
Habitat -
concept related to a particular species, sometimes even a
particular population, of plant or animal. It is an area with the
combination of resources (food, water, cover) and environmental
conditions (temp., precip., presence or absence of predators -
competitors) that promotes occupancy by individuals of a given species
or population and allow them to survive and reproduce.
Habitat quality:
high quality habitat
is those areas that provide conditions for relatively successful
survival and reproduction over relatively long periods of time.
Marginal quality habitat
supports individuals but their survival
and reproduction are relatively low and/or the area is usually
suitable for occupancy for relatively short or intermittent periods.
Optimal quality habitat
maximizes survival and reproduction for the number of animals
present, suitable for occupancy over long periods of time.
Liebig's Law of the
Minimum -
a Theory that
states that the growth or survival of a population is dependent upon the
chemical requirement (nutrient, oxygen, etc.) that is least available or
the most limiting supply.
Management - to alter by
manipulation; judicious use of means to accomplish an end
Natural selection - Differential
reproduction and survival of different genotypes. Natural selection is
the mechanism of change. It works on the phenotypic expression of
genotypes (e.g., behaviors, characteristics, etc.). The result of
natural selection is evolution.
Origins of
genetic variability - Genetic variability
- the stuff on which evolution works is derived from several
sources.
1.
recombination in sexually
reproducing species (different combinations of genes ½ from each
parent in each child - nearly infinite numbers of permutations)
2.
mutations- genetic change
within 1 generation caused by outside effects directly upon genetic
material: deletion, duplication, alteration.
3.
hybridization - exchange
of genetic material between previously isolated populations.
Note:
natural selection can only work upon the genetic variability that is
present.
Niche -
An organisms function within an ecosystem (profession).
Patch -
In
this context, a patch is any habitat that can be considered as an
island of that habitat type surrounded by some different type.
Patches may be of different sizes, shapes, or even degrees of
connectivity. An example might be a small woodland surrounded by
agricultural fields.
Population - a somewhat
arbitrary grouping of individuals of a species that is usually bounded
by the criteria of a specific study. A deme is a specific local
population of individuals that are actually or potentially
interbreeding.
Range -
a large area of grassland, scrub, or open woodland used for grazing
livestock (or supporting foraging animals). A much larger area than
a pasture or field, one that may have poorly vegetated areas, and is
often used to describe grazing lands of the Western United States.
Species - Biological definition is a group of actually or
potentially interbreeding organisms that are more or less isolated
from other such groups.
Speciation-
evolution of 2 or more species from a single parent species due to
natural selection over time along with geographic or other
separation.
Succession -
the changes in vegetation and in animal community composition and
structure that occur as the plant community changes from bare ground
to climax (primary succession) or returns from
disturbed habitat to climax (secondary succession).
Succession of aquatic habitats can occur also. Wetlands that are not
under a hydrologic regime that flushes out sediment and organic
accumulations will commonly progress through stages filling the
reservoir and eventually becoming a meadow (or the starting point of
terrestrial succession).
Survival - In the evolutionary sense,
means to live long enough to successfully reproduce having offspring
which in turn can live and successfully reproduce.
Wildlife -
Undomesticated species of plants and animals.
more definitions
Avian definitions page
Ecology
definitions page
Several environmental
glossaries
page 2
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