A
abiotic
a non-living aspect of the environment such as light, water, temperature, or climate. The opposite of abiotic is biotic.
acid rain
a generic term for precipitation (e.g., rain, snow) that contains an abnormally high concentration of sulphuric and nitric acids, giving it a pH value of less than 6.5. These acids form when various pollutants (e.g., from industrial processes and the burning of fossil fuels) combine with water in the atmosphere. Acid rain can have harmful effects on many forms of life, including human life. Its effects have been most apparent, however, on vegetation and in freshwater bodies (where increasing acidity of the water reduces its ability to support life). Where acid rain is severe enough, it can make a lake or pond completely unsuitable for life. Acid rain also damages buildings and other structures made of stone, metal, and concrete.
adaptation
the process by which a living entity adjusts to its environment. For example, arctic plants have made adjustments that enable them to live under harsh conditions.
aerate
to expose to air or oxygen; to supply additional oxygen to water (as happens when a stream passes over falls or rapids, or when wind creates waves on a lake).
aestivation
a form of dormancy (a sleep-like state) or reduced activity that enables an organism to survive extremely hot or dry conditions; aestivation is often seasonal.
agriculture
the body of knowledge, science, or practice related to cultivating the soil and/or rearing animals.
air
an invisible mixture of gases, mainly oxygen and nitrogen, surrounding the Earth. See ‘atmosphere’
air quality
the quality of air as determined by the presence of various pollutants. Five common pollutants affecting air quality are sulphur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide, carbon monoxide, suspended particulates, and ground-level ozone. These by-products of industrial activities and the burning of fossil fuels have the potential to adversely affect the health of humans, animals, and other organisms. See “smog.”
air sacs
extensions of the lungs in birds or the air passages (tracheae) in insects.
albino
an animal that lacks colour (pigment) in parts that are normally coloured. A complete albino is all white, except for the eyes, the irises of which are pink. ?Albino? also refers to a plant that lacks normal colour.
alevin
a young salmon during the first two weeks after hatching, until the yolk sac has been absorbed.
algae
(singular: alga): simple one-celled or many-celled organisms that are usually aquatic and are capable of photosynthesis. Algae are members of the Protista kingdom. They range in size from microscopic to about 60 m in length (giant kelp). Algae provide much of the Earth’s oxygen, serve as the food base for almost all aquatic life, and provide foods and industrial products for humans.
alien species
a species that invades an ecosystem in which it is not native, often competing with native wildlife populations and reducing biodiversity. Also called ‘exotic species.’
altricial
refers to a species whose young require parental care after birth. The Downy Woodpecker, which is born helpless and unable to care for itself, is an example of an altricial species. The opposite of an altricial species is a precocial species.
amphibian
an animal that typically lives in water when young and on land when adult; young amphibians, such as frogs and salamanders, breathe using gills, while adults use lungs and their moist glandular skin.
amphipod
a tiny shelled creature that is a member of the order Amphipoda and is characterized by two sets of limbs for different purposes (e.g., one set for swimming and the other for jumping).
anadromous fish
fish that spend the greater part of their lives in salt water but migrate into freshwater streams to reproduce; salmon and shad are examples of anadromous fish.
animal
a member of the kingdom Animalia, a group of multicelled organisms (including mammals, fish, reptiles, amphibians, and birds) whose cells contain a membrane-bound nucleus. Animals are distinct from plants (Plantae kingdom) and fungi (Mycota kingdom), which are also multicelled organisms with complex cells. In contrast to these organisms, for example, animals have muscles (and hence can move at will) and a sensory and nervous system (they can see, hear, smell, taste, and touch). Today, there are more than a million known animal species, accounting for three quarters or more of all the species on Earth.
annual
occurring once a year; a plant that completes its life cycle from seedling to mature seed-bearing plant during a single growing season, after which it dies.
annual turnover
the rate of replacement of individual animals in a population. For example, the Ruffed Grouse may have a 70 percent turnover annually.
antenna
(plural: antannae) A mobile appendage on the head of an animal (e.g., an insect) that is sensitive to touch, and in some cases, taste.
apiary
a place where bees are kept for their honey; it generally consists of a number of hives.
aquaculture
the cultivation or rearing of aquatic plants and animals, especially fish, for human consumption.
aquatic
growing, living in, or frequenting water.
arboreal
tree dwelling.
atmosphere
the envelope of gases and other materials surrounding the Earth. Most of the atmosphere consists of the gases nitrogen (78%) and oxygen (21%). Other components include argon and small amounts of other gases, water (in the form of vapour, droplets, and ice crystals), and many small solid particles, such as dust, soot, pollen, and salt from the oceans. The atmosphere is densest (thickest) at the bottom, closest to the Earth, and gradually thins out higher up.
aviculturist
a person who raises birds; often used to refer to someone who raises wild birds in captivity.
B
bacteria
(singular: bacterium): single-celled, microscopically small organisms in the Monera kingdom. A bacterial cell differs from the cells of higher organisms in that it is simpler (i.e., lacks most of the internal structures) and has no distinct (i.e., membrane-bound) nucleus. There are thousands of species of bacteria, but they occur in only three different shapes: spherical, rodlike, or curved. Some bacteria cause diseases, while others are necessary to good health (e.g., some intestinal bacteria). They can be found in all ecosystems.
bag limit
the maximum number of animals that may be taken by an individual in regulated fishing or hunting. For example, if a deer hunter may kill one deer per year, this is the hunter’s bag limit.
band
to place a numbered band around the leg of a wild bird. Birds are commonly banded for identification in research on their population numbers or migratory behaviour.
beak
the horny projecting jaws of a bird or the similar projecting jaws of another animal, such as a turtle.
behaviour
the actions of an intact organism; often used in relation to animals. Behaviour is necessary for an animal to survive; common behaviours include replacing energy (eating), avoiding dehydration (drinking), avoiding being eaten by other animals, grooming, and reproduction.
biennial
recurring every two years; a plant that lives for two growing seasons, producing only leaves during the first season and leaves, flowers, and seeds during the second.
big game
a term designating larger hunted species (e.g., deer, elk, moose, bear, bighorn), as opposed to small game (e.g., rabbits, woodchucks, squirrels, doves, quail) or non-game (e.g., songbirds, birds of prey). In many places, species are legally designated as big game, small game, or non-game.
bioaccumulation
the net accumulation of a contaminant or toxic substance in an organism from all sources, including air, water, and food. Bioaccumulation is particularly dangerous for the health and reproduction of animals at higher levels of food chains such as raptors or marine mammals.
biodegradable
the property of a substance that permits it to be broken down by microorganisms into simple, stable compounds such as carbon dioxide and water.
biodiversity
biological diversity; refers to the diverse forms of life on Earth and the variety within and between them. Biodiversity is usually divided into three levels: – genetic diversity is all the different genes contained in all individual plants, animals, fungi, and microorganisms. It occurs within a species as well as among species; – species diversity is all the differences within and between populations of species, as well as among different species; – ecosystem diversity is all the different habitats, biological communities, and ecological processes, as well as the variation within individual ecosystems.
biology
the study of living organisms and their relationships with one another.
biomagnification
the increase in the level of contaminants and toxic substances that occurs within an organism as the result of consuming other contaminated food species within the food chain.
biome
a large geographic area with somewhat uniform climatic conditions; a complex of plant and animal communities characterized by a distinctive type of vegetation and maintained under the climatic conditions of the region; any of the major terrestrial ecosystems of the world, such as tundra, deciduous forest, desert, or taiga.
biosphere
the part of the Earth’s crust, water, and atmosphere where living organisms can subsist.
biota
the organisms associated with a region or period.
biotechnology
a collection of technologies that use living organisms to create new products and processes. These technologies are being used to develop medicines; increase yields from fish stocks, forests, and agricultural crops; promote energy production from biological sources; improve treatment of liquid effluents; and assist in the cleanup of wastes and the environment.
biotic
a living aspect of the environment, such as plants, animals, fungi, and bacteria. The opposite of biotic is abiotic.
biotic potential
the capacity of a population of organisms to increase in numbers under optimum environmental conditions.
bird
a warm-blooded, feathered, egg-laying vertebrate that has a beak and wings and is usually able to fly.
birding
birdwatching; observing birds in their natural surroundings. Birding is a popular hobby in Canada, and many birders assist Environment Canada and other organizations in monitoring bird populations through annual counts.
blind
unable to see; a hiding place for observing or hunting wildlife
bog
a wetland formed where low oxygen levels and soil temperatures lead to incomplete decomposition and limited drainage in an accumulation of fibrous peat.
boreal forest
a mainly coniferous belt of forest in the Northern Hemisphere south of the taiga, or subarctic forest. In Canada, this forest sweeps in a u-shape from Newfoundland to Alaska. In the south, it gradually blends into deciduous forest types. Trees of Canada’s boreal forest include black spruce, white spruce, balsam fir, jack pine, and trembling aspen. Animals include moose, wolverines, and golden eagles.
bounty
an abundance; a reward or payment for removing certain species of animals felt to be harmful (the use of bounties is slowly being discontinued).
breed
a stock of animals or plants within a species that have a similar appearance and are usually produced when a person, known as a breeder, causes organisms with desirable characteristics to reproduce over several generations; to produce young; to mate; to cause to mate; to develop a certain type of animal or plant by selective mating.
broadleaf
a plant with wide-bladed leaves, such as an oak or maple. Broadleaf trees are one of two main types of trees and shrubs. The other type is needleleaf trees.
brood
the offspring of a bird or mammal; a group of young animals being cared for by adults; to sit on eggs to hatch them or to cover young with the wings.
browse
a general term commonly used in wildlife management to signify brushy plants eaten by deer, elk, or cattle; to eat the twigs and leaves of woody plants.
bulk water removal
the removal and transfer of water out of its basin of origin by human-made diversions (e.g., canals), tanker ships or trucks, or pipelines. Such removals have the potential, directly or cumulatively, to alter ecosystems and degrade aquatic habitats.
burrowing
refers to an animal that spends a portion of its life underground.
C
canopy
the layer formed by the leaves and branches of a forest’s tallest trees.
carcass
the dead body of an animal.
carnivore
a meat eater, as distinguished from a herbivore (plant-eater) or omnivore (eater of both plants and animals).
carrion
the bodies of dead animals, usually found in nature in the process of decay; not ‘fresh’ meat.
carrying capacity
the maximum population of a certain species that can be supported by a given ecosystem or habitat.
chaparral
brushy areas where the predominant vegetative types include manzanita, ceanothus, cliffrose, scrub oak, and skunk brush. The term originates from Spanish, where it refers to thorny bushes.
class
in taxonomy, a major grouping of organisms; below a division or phylum and above an order.
clear-cutting
the process of removing all trees, large and small, in a stand in one cutting operation. This practice, if not done properly, reduces biodiversity and degrades or destroys habitat for forest-dependent species, while encouraging water runoff, erosion, sedimentation of streams and lakes, and flooding.
climate
the prevailing weather conditions of an area as defined by temperature, precipitation, and wind velocities.
climate change
refers to changes in climate that include a rise in global temperatures and more frequent extreme weather events. These changes are attributed to a buildup of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere caused by human activities. Greenhouse gases trap heat and reflect it back to the Earth’s surface.
climatic
relating to climate or the prevailing weather conditions as defined by temperature, precipitation, and wind velocities; the environmental conditions relating to weather.
climax
in an ecological context, the final stage of plant or animal succession; a community that has reached a steady state under a particular set of environmental conditions.
clutch
a set of eggs to be hatched at one time; the brood resulting from this.
coastal
relating to the border of land near an ocean or sea.
coati
any raccoon-like flesh-eating mammal of the genus Nasua; coatis have a long flexible snout and a long, usually rigid, tail.
coloration
a genetically controlled pattern of body markings that protects an individual organism.
commensalism
a relationship in which one species derives food or shelter from another species without seriously harming that organism or providing any benefits in return.
Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada
a national expert group that identifies species as extinct, extirpated, endangered, threatened, or of special concern and provides vital information about them. This information helps governments and other organizations plan programs to save disappearing wildlife.
community
in biological terms, an association of organisms (plant, animal, etc.) each occupying a certain position or ecological niche, inhabiting a common environment, and interacting with one another; all the organisms in a particular habitat that are bound together by food chains and other interrelationships.
competition
interaction between organisms that share a limited environmental resource. Competition may be intra-specific (i.e., between members of the same species) or inter-specific (i.e., between different species).
composting
using decomposing vegetable matter, including table scraps, grass clippings, leaves, peat, and soil; to improve the soil. Composting reduces the amount of waste sent to landfill sites and helps put valuable organic matter and nutrients back into residential and commercial gardens.
condensation
the process whereby a substance changes from a gas to a liquid, usually as a result of cooling.
conifer
a plant that bears its seeds in cones; usually refers to needleleaf trees, although some needleleaf trees, such as yews, do not bear cones.
coniferous
cone-bearing; coniferous trees include pines, firs, and spruces.
conservation
the preservation or wise use of the natural environment?including wildlife, habitat, and the ecosystems of which they are a part; the use of natural resources in a way that assures their continuing availability to future generations.
consumer
used in an ecological context to refer to one of three basic types of organisms in an ecosystem. The first type consists of those organisms referred to as ‘producers’ or food makers. The second type is called a ‘consumer.’ The primary consumer utilizes the producer for its food; it may in turn be used as food by a secondary consumer. For example, a rabbit is a primary consumer, and a fox, which may consume the rabbit, is a secondary consumer. The third type of organism in an ecosystem is the ‘decomposer.’ The bodies of consumers, as well as producers, are broken down by decomposers, primarily bacteria and fungi.
contaminant
anything that pollutes or makes impure.
corridor
a chain of habitats for feeding and resting during a migration; the way or course taken by an animal to get from a starting point to a destination during a migration; a spatial linkage that facilitates movements of organisms among habitat patches in a landscape. Land management agencies may protect habitat corridors to help conserve wildlife species or populations at risk.
cover
the vegetation, debris, and irregularities of the land that provide concealment, sleeping, feeding, and breeding areas for wildlife.
coverts
small feathers covering the base of a bird’s tail; also rows of small feathers on its wing, covering the base of the flight feathers and the wing surfaces; also short feathers covering the ear region.
covey
a small flock or group, often a family group, of such birds as grouse or pheasants.
crepuscular
active at dawn and dusk.
cryptic
in a zoological context, serving to camouflage. When animals are hard to see because their colour causes them to blend into their surroundings, their coloration is said to be cryptic.
cull
select from a herd or population and kill, particularly to eliminate individuals having certain undesirable characteristics. Selection or ‘culling’ in nature is based on weakness or poor health.
custacean
any of a large group of mostly aquatic animals (including crabs, lobsters, and shrimps) that have hard shells, jointed bodies, and antennae.
D
dabbling ducks
ducks that frequent shallow marshes, ponds, and rivers and ‘tip up’ to feed: they feed with their bodies above water and their heads below water. They take off vertically when startled.
data deficient
a category used by the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada to describe a species (or subspecies or population) for which there is insufficient scientific information to support a status designation.
deciduous
falling off (or out) at a certain season or stage of growth; trees that annually shed their leaves; plant or animal parts (e.g., leaves, horns, teeth, insect wings) that are periodically shed.
deciduous
falling off (or out) at a certain season or stage of growth; trees that annually shed their leaves; plant or animal parts (e.g., leaves, horns, teeth, insect wings) that are periodically shed.
decomposer
an organism (bacterium, fungus) that converts dead organic matter into inorganic matter; an organism that feeds on dead matter and causes its mechanical or chemical breakdown.
deforestation
the clearing of forests or trees without adequate replanting or other measures to renew the forest.
den
the lair or resting place of a wild animal.
dentition
the number and pattern of various types of teeth.
deposition
the depositing of particles; for example, the depositing of soil particles by flowing water.
depredation
the act of preying upon, usually in relation to wildlife damage to crops or livestock.
desert scrub
arid environments with irregular winter rainfall, summer rainfall, or biseasonal rainfall; highly varied plant life with leafless, drought deciduous (i.e., with leaves that fall off during a drought), or evergreen species of trees, shrubs, herbs, grasses, yuccas, agaves, and cacti.
desertification
the process of making or becoming a desert (an area of land that is often sand-covered and characteristically desolate, waterless, and without vegetation).
detritus
organic matter produced by decaying plants or animals.
dimorphic
having two distinct forms, aside from differences between the sexes. For example, the grey squirrel has both a grey-coloured and a black-coloured form.
display
an observable behavioural pattern that carries a specific message. The message may be intra-specific (i.e., directed to members of the same species) or inter-specific (i.e., directed to other species). For example, a male bird may strut around and show its colourful features in a ?courtship display? to attract a female.
dissolved oxygen
oxygen dissolved in water. Most forms of aquatic life require a certain minimum level of dissolved oxygen in a water body.
distribution
the dispersal of an object, thing, animal, plant, physical characteristic, etc., within a group or an area.
diurnal
active by daylight; the opposite of nocturnal.
diversity
variety; typically used in relation to species, a single index that incorporates the number of species and relative abundances of species (evenness). For example, a collection is said to have high diversity if it has many species and their abundances are relatively even.
diving ducks
ducks that prefer deep water. They feed by diving below the surface and take wing from a running start.
division
in taxonomy, a major grouping of plants; below the kingdom and above a class.
domesticated
animals that humans have tamed, kept in captivity, and bred for special purposes. All domesticated animals have their origins in wild ancestors. Examples of domesticated animals include cattle (used for food and other products) and sheep (used for wool and other products), as well as dogs, cats, birds, and fish, which are commonly kept as pets.
dominant species
species (animal, plant, etc.) that exert a major controlling influence on the community. Removal of dominant species results in important changes in the community. Generally, dominants have the greatest total biomass (i.e., total weight of all individuals of the species present).
dormant
inactive (as in sleep); alive but with development suspended; not actively growing.
down
the short soft fluffy feathers beneath the outer feathers of adult birds, especially the abdominal feathers of waterbirds, often used by ducks and geese when building their nests; also, the first small soft feathers that cover and insulate the entire body of young birds.
drift net
a large fishing net that is allowed to drift with ocean currents.
drinking water
water that is pure enough for drinking. Government agencies have established water quality standards for purposes such as drinking, swimming, and bathing. Drinking water standards are generally the most stringent.
drought
a continuous absence of rain; dry weather.
E
echinoderm
any marine invertebrate of the phylum Echinodermata, usually having shiny skin.
ecological niche
the role played by an organism in a biological community; its food preferences, requirements for shelter, special behaviours, and the timing of its activities (e.g., nocturnal, diurnal).
ecologist
a scientist who studies how living things relate to one another and to their environment.
ecology
the branch of biology dealing with the interrelationships among living organisms and between living organisms and their environment.
ecosystem
a natural community composed of biotic (living) creatures that live in connection with one another and abiotic (non-living) elements such as sun, soil, and water. An ecosystem can be as big as a planet or smaller than a puddle.
edge effect
the tendency for increased variety and density of organisms where two vegetative types come together forming an edge; for example, rabbits concentrate in an area where brushland and meadowland meet, because of the diversity of food, shelter, and other habitat components provided by the edge.
effluent
any matter that enters the environment from a specific source; the term generally refers to waste water from sewage treatment or industrial plants.
emergency response
an action carried out to protect human health and the environment from the impacts of an environmental emergency, such as a forest fire or a chemical spill.
emergent plant
aquatic plants, usually rooted, which during part of their life cycle have portions above the water.
endangered
a category used by the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada to describe a species (or subspecies or population) that is facing imminent extinction or extirpation.
environment
the total of all of the surroundings (air, water, vegetation, human elements, wildlife) that influence human life; the surroundings of a plant or animal including other plants and animals, climate, and location.
environmental assessment
determining or estimating the value, significance, or extent of damage to a particular ecosystem or aspect of it. Canada?s federal, provincial, and territorial governments have environmental assessment procedures that apply to land development projects such as highways, dams, mines, and forestry.
environmental emergency
results from the uncontrolled, unplanned, or accidental release of a substance into the environment that may have negative impacts (e.g., disease, death) on animal, plant, and other life forms, or on the environment on which these life forms depend; also results from natural hazards (e.g., fires caused by lightning, floods).
environmental monitoring
systematic observations of selected properties or characteristics of the environment and of activities thought to be responsible for changes in the environment; the most significant properties or characteristics are often referred to as ‘environmental indicators.’
erosion
the removal or wearing away of soil or rock by water, wind, or other forces or processes.
estuary
the tidal mouth of a river where fresh and salt water meet.
ethics
a personal or social moral code.
eutrophication
enrichment of soils or water due to the introduction of fertilizer, sewage, effluent, or other waters that have a high plant-nutrient component. See ‘excess nutrients.’
evapo-transpiration
the process whereby moisture is transferred from the Earth to the atmosphere due to evaporation and to transpiration from plants.
evaporation
the process whereby a substance changes from a liquid to a gas due to exposure to the air and/or heat.
evergreen
a plant that does not lose all of its leaves at one time. Among trees, some broadleaf species such as live oak remain green all year, but most North American evergreens are coniferous.
ewe
a female sheep.
exotic species
an animal, plant, or other organism that invades an ecosystem in which it is not native, often competing with native wildlife populations and reducing biodiversity. Also called ‘alien species’
extinct
a category used by the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada to describe a species (or subspecies or population) that ‘no longer exists.’
extinction
the condition of having been removed from existence. An animal or plant species facing extinction is in danger of vanishing from our world.
extirpated
a category used by the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada to describe a species (or subspecies or population) that is ?no longer existing in the wild in Canada, but occurring elsewhere.?
F
family
in taxonomy, a major grouping of organisms; below an order and above a genus.
fauna
the animals of a region, geological period, or ecosystem.
fecal sac
a membrane that surrounds the droppings of nestlings of some species, often songbird species. The adult will take the sac directly from the body of the young bird and either eat it or fly a short distance to dispose of it.
feral
domesticated or captive animals that have returned to the wild or the descendants of such animals. Pigeons, goats, cats, and dogs are examples of animals that may become feral.
fertilize
to make (the female reproductive cell or female individual) fruitful by introducing the male germ cell; impregnate or pollinate.
field mark
a characteristic of an organism that helps an observer to identify it in the wild (e.g., blackness, the ‘caw’ call, and large size are three field marks of crows).
finite
having bounds or limits; capable of being counted or measured.
fish
a cold-blooded, limbless vertebrate that lives wholly in water and has fins and gills; any animal living wholly in water (e.g., would include invertebrates such as shellfish or jellyfish).
fish ladder
a series of ascending pools of water constructed by humans as mechanisms to enable salmon or other fish to swim upstream around or over a dam.
fish stocks
the supply or quantity of fish acquired or allowed to accumulate for future use.
fisheries
areas set aside and managed for fishing enterprises; fish populations as the basis of an industry, recreational or commercial.
flora
the plants of a region, geological period, or ecosystem; a catalogue of plants of a defined area.
food chain
the transfer of food energy from the source in plants through a series of animals, with animals lower in the food chain being eaten by animals higher up. For example, a green plant, a leaf-eating insect, and an insect-eating bird would form a simple food chain. Any one species is usually represented in several food chains.
food web
an interlocking pattern of food chains.
forage
to search for food; vegetation taken naturally by herbivorous animals, both wild and domesticated.
forb
an herb; a low-growing, annual or perennial herbaceous plant, not a grass. Forbs are an important part of wildlife habitat.
forest
a complex community of plants, animals, and other organisms in which trees are the most conspicuous members.
forest floor
the layer of decomposing material that covers the soil in a forest.
forest management
the practical application of scientific, economic, and social principles to the administration of a forest for specified objectives.
forest management
the practical application of scientific, economic, and social principles to the administration of a forest for specified objectives.
forest region
an extensive area of a continent in which the composition of forest species remains the same over very long periods of time (i.e., while environmental conditions are constant); all the species present can reproduce successfully and invading species cannot gain a foothold. The major forest regions of Canada are Boreal, Subalpine, Montane, Coast, Columbia, Deciduous, Great Lakes-St. Lawrence, and Acadian.
forestry
the management of forests for wood, water, wildlife, forage, and recreation. Due to wood’s economic importance, forestry has been chiefly concerned with timber management, especially reforestation, maintenance of existing forests, and fire control. In Canada, the extensive forest cover just north of the settled fringe supports large exports of newsprint, pulp and paper, and other forest products.
fresh water
water that is not salty and is found in inland bodies of water.
freshwater marsh
a wetland that is periodically inundated by standing or slowly moving fresh water, and hence is rich in nutrients.
fungus
(plural “fungi”) a member of the Mycota kingdom of organisms, typically consisting of a mass of branched, tubular filaments called hyphae (singular hypha). At one time fungi were included in the plant kingdom, but are now excluded because they lack chlorophyll and the organized plant structure of stems, roots, and leaves. Mushrooms, rusts, smuts, mildews, yeasts, and moulds are examples of fungi. Some fungi feed on dead organic matter. Others feed on living organisms and can cause disease. Still other fungi live in symbiosis with plants, providing mineral nutrients to the plant in exchange for carbohydrates or other chemicals.
G
game animal
legal designation for wild animals, usually mammals or birds, that may be hunted for sport or food and that are subject to legal regulations.
genes
the chemical instructions that determine what characteristics (or traits) are inherited (e.g., eye colour). Genes are found inside each cell of an organism, lined up on thread-like structures called chromosomes. Chromosomes come in pairs, and there are hundreds, sometimes thousands, of genes in one chromosome. Together, all of the chromosomes and genes make up DNA, which is short for deoxyribonucleic acid.
genetic
relating to genes; inherited.
genus
a major category in the classification of plants, animals, and other organisms, more specific than the family and more general than the species; a group of species that are more closely related to one another than to other species. See ‘taxonomy.’
gestation
pregnancy.
gill net
curtain-like fishing net, suspended vertically in the water; a fish is caught by the gills when it thrusts its head through the mesh netting.
girdle
a method of killing a tree or branch by cutting through the bark and interrupting the flow of water and nutrients.
gizzard
a bird’s second stomach, where the food from the first stomach is ground up finely; a muscular organ in insects and earthworms that grinds food.
global warming
a rise in the temperature of the Earth’s surface and lower atmosphere caused by increased concentrations of so-called greenhouse gases, such as carbon dioxide or methane, in the atmosphere; greenhouse gases trap the sun’s heat.
gorget
a patch of colour on the throat of a bird, insect, etc.
grassland
a vegetative community in which grasses are the most conspicuous members.
Great Lakes
a group of five connected freshwater lakes (Superior, Michigan, Huron, Erie, and Ontario) located in eastern-central North America along the Canada-United States border. These water bodies, which cover 246 000 km2, are the continent’s largest lakes.
greenbelt
an area of open land in or around an urban area that is designated for preservation.
greenhouse effect
the phenomenon whereby certain gases that absorb and trap heat lead to warming of the Earth’s surface and lower atmosphere. See ‘greenhouse gases.’
greenhouse gaz
gases that absorb and trap heat in the atmosphere and cause a warming effect on Earth. Some occur naturally in the atmosphere, while others result from human activities. Greenhouse gases include carbon dioxide, water vapour, methane, nitrous oxide, ozone, chlorofluorocarbons, hydrofluorocarbons, and perfluorocarbons.
groundwater
water found under the ground in soil and bedrock.
guard hairs
long coarse outer hair on mammals that forms a protective layer over the soft underfur.
H
habitat
for an animal, the ‘life range’ or arrangement of food, water, shelter or cover, space, and climate suitable to that animal’s needs. Cover includes escape cover, winter cover, cover to rear young, and even cover in which to play.
hardwood
a deciduous or broadleaf tree; the wood from such trees.
harvest
the intentional gathering of plants and animals that have been cultivated or reared by humans. In wildlife management, wild animals killed in hunting or trapping are sometimes referred to as the ‘harvest.’
hatch
to bring forth young from an egg or eggs; to keep an egg or eggs warm until the young come out; to come out from the egg; to produce living young.
hazardous waste
discarded material that, because of its inherent nature and quantity, requires special disposal techniques to avoid creating health hazards, nuisances, or environmental pollution. Hazardous waste can be solid, liquid, semi-solid, or gaseous.
hen
the female of certain bird species (e.g., the Ruffed Grouse).
herb
any flowering plant or fern that has a soft and fleshy, rather than woody, stem; the above-ground parts of an herb usually persist for a single growing season, unlike those of a tree or shrub.
herb layer
the layer of soft-stemmed plants growing close to the forest floor.
herbaceous
herb-like; a plant that has little or no woody tissue (i.e., has soft and fleshy stems), unlike a tree or shrub.
herbivorous
feeding on plants.
hibernaculum
the winter quarters of a hibernating animal, particularly of a snake or toad.
hibernation
an inactive, sleep-like state, accompanied by a very low body temperature, that certain animals fall into during the winter.
home range
the area over which an animal travels in the course of normal activities; not to be confused with territory.
hunter
a person or animal that searches for wildlife with the intent of catching or killing it.
hunting
the practice of pursuing and killing wild animals. To protect wildlife in Canada, there are laws governing when the hunting of certain species may take place, as well as the number, size, age, and sometimes sex of specimens that may be killed by hunters.
hunting pressure
the number or concentration of hunters of a specific animal in a specific area.
hybrid
an individual whose parents are of two different species.
hybridize
to produce hybrids.
hydrology
the science dealing with the study of the waters of the Earth and its atmosphere.
I
ice floe
a drifting sheet of ice.
incisors
sharp cutting teeth.
indicator species
a species whose presence in an ecosystem suggests that certain environmental conditions exist (see ‘indicators’).
indicators
signs or symptoms of changes in the health of wildlife populations in a particular area; selected key statistics that provide information on significant trends in the environment, natural resource sustainability, and related human activities.
indigenous species
a species that originates naturally in a region.
indigenous species
a species that originates naturally in a region.
industrial contaminants
harmful pollutants, such as radioactive waste, heavy metals, and dioxins, that result from industrial processes.
industry
a commercial undertaking that provides services or is involved in the trade or manufacture of goods.
inorganic
not living; not composed of organic matter.
insectivorous
insect-eating.
instinctive behaviour
an innate pattern of behaviour that most animals exhibit in response to certain stimuli. In human beings, instinctive behaviour may refer to a tendency to act without conscious intention.
interaction
the relationship of one organism to another.
interdependencies
the interrelationships among wildlife and among wildlife and the various elements of their environments.
invertebrate
an animal lacking a backbone or spine (e.g., a snail, clam, insect, spider, worm, or mollusc); the opposite of vertebrate.
K
keystone species
a species whose removal causes marked changes to a community or ecosystem.
kingdom
in taxonomy, one of the five basic groups of living organisms : Animalia (animals), Plantae (plants), Mycota –(fungi), Monera (bacteria), and Protista (includes algae and protozoans). Not all biologists agree on how some organisms should be assigned to these groups.
L
land-based pollution
pollution, including agricultural runoff, untreated sewage, and industrial waste, that results from human activities on land.
larva
(plural larvae) the immature form of animals that undergo metamorphosis, or change of form from an immature to an adult stage (e.g., tadpoles are the larvae of frogs).
lichen
algae and fungi growing together in a symbiotic, or close, relationship. This harmonious relationship between two different types of organisms makes lichen unique. The characteristic body of the lichen, whether forming thin crusts, leafy lobes or upright stalks or branches is formed primarily by a fungus that encloses a specific type of alga within its tissues. Protected within the tissues of the fungus and provided with moisture, the alga produces the foods, through photosynthesis, needed by both organisms. Lichen is classified as a fungus, not a plant.
life cycle
the continuous sequence of changes undergone by an organism from one stage to the same stage again in the next generation.
life sciences
biology and related subjects.
limiting factor
influences in the life history of any animal, population of animals, or species. Examples include food, water, shelter, space, disease, predation, climatic conditions, pollution, hunting, poaching, and accidents. When one or more of these factors exceeds the limit of tolerance of that animal, population of animals, or species, it becomes a limiting factor. At that point, it directly affects the well-being of that animal, population of animals, or species. Limiting factors may result from natural causes as well as human activities.
limnology
the study of inland aquatic ecosystems. Limnologists study the physical, chemical, geological, and biological components of lakes, rivers, and streams.
litter
the number of young born per birthing.
M
macroinvertebrate
an invertebrate that is visible to the naked eye, such as an insect, snail, or worm.
mainland
the land part of an area, as opposed to an island, which is separated from the area by water.
malar
a bone of the cheek; relating to the cheek.
mammals
of the class Mammalia, the highest class of vertebrates. Mammals are warm-blooded animals that have mammary glands (milk-producing glands for feeding young) and a four-chambered heart. Most give birth to live young and are either partially or completely covered in hair.
mandible
the upper or lower part of a bird’s beak; the jaw, especially the lower jaw in mammals and fish.
marine
having to do with the sea.
marsh
a wetland that is periodically inundated by standing or slowly moving water, and hence is rich in nutrients. Marshes are mainly wet, mineral-soil areas, but shallow, well-decomposed peat may be present. A marsh may be fresh or salt water, tidal or non-tidal.
mate
to bring together for breeding; to copulate; one of a pair of mated animals.
melanistic
dark; an individual organism or a kind of organism with an increased amount of black or nearly black pigmentation (as of skin, feathers, or hair).
metamorphosis
a change in form, structure, or function as a result of development; the physical transformation, more or less sudden, undergone by various animals during development after their embryonic state. For example, the larva of an insect metamorphoses to the pupa, and the pupa metamorphoses to the adult.
microclimate
the climate of a specific small area. Microclimates are the tiny exceptions to the general climate of a larger area. A deep, narrow, shadowed canyon (cool and damp) might be a microclimate within a desert mountain range.
microhabitat
a small habitat within a larger one in which environmental conditions differ from those in the surrounding area. A hole in a tree trunk or an animal carcass is a microhabitat within a forest.
microorganism
an organism that is microscopic in size, observable only through a microscope.
migration
regular, periodic movements of animals in large numbers, usually away from and back to a place of origin. Many birds undertake seasonal migrations (typically in the spring and fall) in search of more favourable conditions (relating to temperature, food, or water) and/or a suitable breeding area. Such migrations may involve a change of latitude, altitude, or both.
migration route
the way taken by an animal to get from a starting point to a destination during a migration, or seasonal movement.
migration routes
the way taken by an animal to get from a starting point to a destination during a migration, or seasonal movement.
migratory
refers to birds or other animals that make annual migrations, or seasonal movements. Migrations may be great or very short depending upon the species.
mist net
a special net used to catch birds, most commonly for research purposes.
mitigate
to make up for; to substitute some benefit for losses incurred.
mixed forest
a forest that includes both coniferous and deciduous trees.
mollusc
any invertebrate that has a soft body and usually a hard shell, such as a squid, snail, or mussel.
monitor
to maintain regular surveillance, or close observation, over something.
monitoring
the process of checking, observing, or keeping track of something for a specific period of time or at specified intervals. See ‘environmental monitoring.’
monoculture
the raising of a crop of a single species.
monogamous
having one mate at a time.
mortality rate
death rate; usually expressed in deaths per thousand.
moss
a small, non-vascular plant that reproduces by spores. Mosses are attached to the ground or other surfaces by simple thread-like holdfasts, and their stems and leaves have relatively simple tissues. Mosses and their relatives, liverworts and hornworts, are generally adapted to grow in damp to wet habitats where specialized vascular tissues are not required to obtain adequate moisture.
moult
to shed feathers, hair, etc., in the process of renewing plumage or coat.
mulching
adding materials to soil in order to protect from cold, reduce evaporation, control weeds, or enrich the soil. Common materials could be sawdust, bark, or leaves.
multiple use
a system of land management in which the land is used for a variety of purposes. The uses are not necessarily simultaneous but are compatible. For example, a tract of forest land can be a home for wildlife, a source of clean air and water, a place for recreation, and a place to grow and harvest trees, all at the same time.
mutualism
a close association between two different species whereby each species derives some benefit.
N
natal
related to birth or being born.
natural history
the study of animals, plants, or other organisms; the sum of the facts about the organisms of an area or class.
natural selection
a process in nature resulting in the survival and perpetuation of those forms of life best able to adapt to a specific environment.
naturalist
an expert in natural history.
nectar
a sugary substance produced by flowering plants.
nestling
a bird that is too young to leave the nest.
nitrogen fixation
the conversion of elemental nitrogen from the atmosphere to forms (ammonium or nitrate ions) that can readily be used in biological processes; the conversion is normally carried out by bacteria living symbiotically in legumes or by free-living soil bacteria. Nitrogen is a basic building block of proteins?an essential part of all living organisms.
nocturnal
active by night; the opposite of diurnal.
non-consumptive use
in a wildlife context, any use that does not directly kill wildlife. Examples include activities such as birdwatching, photography, and hiking.
non-game
all wildlife species that are not commonly hunted, killed, or consumed.
non-renewable resources
non-living resources; resources that do not regenerate themselves. Examples of non-renewable resources include rocks, minerals, and fossil fuels (e.g., petroleum), which, once used, cannot be replaced.
O
ocean
a large expanse of sea. The oceans surrounding Canada are the Pacific, Atlantic, and Arctic.
oceanography
the study of oceans (a branch of geography).
oil spill
an emergency in which oil runs out of a vessel into a lake, river, or ocean. An oil spill can seriously damage the environment by polluting shorelines, damaging spawning areas, poisoning wildlife, and destroying plankton and other species in aquatic food webs.
old-growth forest
a wooded area, usually greater than 200 years of age, that has never been altered or harvested by humans. An old-growth forest often has large individual trees, a multi-layered crown canopy, and a significant accumulation of coarse woody debris including snags and fallen logs.
omnivore
an animal that eats both plant and animal materials.
orca
another name for the killer whale (the scientific name of the killer whale is Orcinus orca).
order
in taxonomy, a major grouping of organisms; below a class and above a family.
organic
in a biological context, relating to plants, animals, or other organisms; produced without the use of chemical fertilizers or pesticides, etc.; chemical compounds containing carbon. See ‘organic matter.’
organic matter
compounds of carbon and other chemical elements (commonly hydrogen, oxygen, or nitrogen) that are generally manufactured in the life processes of plants and animals. Most organic compounds are a source of food for microorganisms and are usually combustible.
organic matter
in a biological context, relating to plants, animals, or other organisms; produced without the use of chemical fertilizers or pesticides, etc.; chemical compounds containing carbon. See ‘organic matter.’
organism
a living thing; a form of life composed of mutually dependent parts that maintain various vital processes.
ornithologist
a scientist who studies birds.
ornithology
the study of birds.
overhunt
the killing of too many wild animals within a species or a geographic area, causing the population of that species or area to become dangerously low.
ozone
a naturally occurring gas, formed from normal oxygen, that protects the Earth by filtering out ultraviolet radiation from the sun. Most of the world’s ozone is concentrated in the stratosphere, 10 to 50 km above the Earth’s surface.
P
pack ice
a floating mass of ice that forms in the Earth’s polar oceans; the mass expands to cover a greater area in winter and contracts in summer. The pack ice of the Northern Hemisphere covers an average area of more than 10′ million’km2.
parasite
an organism that lives by deriving benefit from another organism, usually doing harm to the organism from which it derives benefit. Mistletoe is a parasite growing on trees.
parasitic
to be a parasite on; an organism that lives by deriving benefit from another organism, usually doing harm to the organism from which it derives benefit.
pelage
the coat of fur, hair, wool, or other soft covering that clothes a mammal.
perennial
occurring constantly; a plant that lives for several years and usually produces seeds each year.
permits
documents granting legal permission to perform an activity. Special permits must be obtained to carry out certain activities that have an impact on the environment, in order to ensure that these activities are limited.
pesticide
a human-made chemical used to control organisms, including plants and animals, that are considered to be a nuisance. Pesticides can harm ecosystems, often killing plants and animals other than the ones they are meant to control.
pH
a measure that indicates the relative acidity or alkalinity of a substance. The pH scale ranges from 0 (most acid) to 14 (most alkaline or basic), with a pH of 7 being neutral. Examples of acid substances include vinegar, lemon juice, and car battery acid; examples of alkaline substances include baking soda, ammonia, and sea water.
phosphate
a chemical made by combining phosphoric acid with other substances. Agricultural fertilizers containing phosphates can enter aquatic ecosystems, causing algal blooms that deprive fish of oxygen.
photosynthesis
the process by which green plants and certain other organisms use sunlight to manufacture carbohydrates from carbon dioxide and water.
phytoplankton
plant plankton or organisms that are suspended in an aquatic habitat.
pinch period
that period of an annual cycle when the factors necessary for life are least favourable.
plankton
tiny (usually microscopic) organisms suspended in an aquatic habitat; they include bacteria, algae, protozoans, rotifers, larvae, and small crustaceans. Plankton are the start of many of the food chains that exist in the sea. Phytoplankton are the plant plankton; zooplankton are the animal species.
plant
any living organism in the kingdom Plantae. Plants are multicellular and their cells contain a membrane-bound nucleus. However, they differ from animals in some key respects. For example, plants typically contain a green chemical pigment called chorophyll, which enables them to feed on inorganic material through the process of photosynthesis. Plants also lack organs of locomotion (they remain more or less in the same place) and have no sensory and nervous system (they cannot see, hear, feel, etc.).
plumage
the feathers and down of a bird.
poach
to hunt or fish illegally.
poacher
a person who poaches wildlife, that is, hunts or fishes illegally.
pollen
fine, dust-like grains discharged from the male part of a flower. The grains contain the mature germ cell that fertilizes the ovule in the female part of a flower. Once fertilized, the ovule develops into a seed.
pollination
the act of transferring pollen (the dust-like grains from the male part of a flower) to the female part of a flower in order to fertilize the ovule; the plant structure that develops into a seed when fertilized.
pollution
any substance that is present in or has been introduced into the environment that has harmful or unpleasant effects. Pollution comes in many forms and may be present in air, land, water, or organisms. Although some pollution is from natural sources (e.g., volcanic eruptions), most is produced by human activities.
polygamous
having more than one mate at a time.
polynya
a semi-permanent area of open water surrounded by sea ice. Polynyas can be high in biodiversity.
population
the number of a particular species in a defined area.
population inventory
a measure of the current density of a species of animal, plant, or other organism.
Prairie Pothole Region
a unique prairie wetland region, encompassing parts of western Canada and the western United States. It has been estimated as being as large as 500?000 km2. The region is predominantly grassland covered with large shallow depressions, or “potholes,” created long ago by retreating glaciers. These potholes generally fill with water; the resulting pothole lakes are known as sloughs. They may freeze in winter or dry out and crack in times of drought. The area contains a wide variety of wetland species.
precipitation
rain or snow, etc., that falls to the ground.
predation
the act of preying upon, stalking, killing, and eating other animals.
predator
an animal that kills and eats other animals.
prescribed burning
the planned application of fire to natural fuels with the intent to confine the burning to a predetermined area.
preservation
environmental protection that emphasizes non-consumptive values and uses, including no direct use by humans; commonly contrasted with conservation, which accommodates both consumptive and non-consumptive values and uses.
prey
animals that are killed and eaten by other animals.
primaries
when referring to birds, the flight feathers attached to the hand (the part closest to the tip) of each wing.
primary producers
green plants that are able to manufacture food from simple organic substances.
protozoan
typically, a single-celled, microscopically small organism belonging to the Protozoa subkingdom (under the Protista kingdom). The cells of protozoans possess a well-defined nucleus, in contrast to those of bacteria. There are more than 65?000 described species, more than half of which are fossil. In biological terms, protozoans are not a natural group (i.e., are not necessarily related to one another) but are simply a collection of organisms. Many protozoans are symbiotic, while about one-third of the living species are parasitic.
pupa
(plural: pupae): resting form of insects that undergo metamorphosis, or change of form from an immature to an adult stage. Most pupae are inactive, and some, such as those of many moths, are enclosed in a cocoon.
Q
qiviut
the underfur of the muskox, used as wool.
R
race
a subspecies of an animal species or a variety of a plant species; sometimes used more loosely to refer to either a genus, species, breed, or variety.
rain shadow
an area on the leeward side of a mountain barrier that receives little rainfall.
ram
a male sheep or goat.
ram
a male sheep or goat.
range
the land upon which animals live; an area grazed by livestock and/or wildlife.
raptor
a bird (e.g., eagle, hawk, owl) that preys upon other animals.
rare
a category formerly used by the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada to describe a species (or subspecies or population) that, because of its biological characteristics, or because it occurs at the fringe of its range, exists in low numbers or in very restricted areas in Canada but is not a threatened species.
recovery
when referring to wildlife, occurs when the population of a species that has been at risk of extinction or extirpation in Canada has returned to viable self-sustaining levels. In order for a sustainable breeding population to become established for an indefinite length of time, there will need to be: – enough breeding adults; – sufficient quality habitat available or potentially available; – adequate or improving demographic factors (sex ratios, birth and death rates, etc.); – mitigation or control of threats to the population, particularly those that were the cause of the species’ decline in the first place
recovery action plan
(the second part of a national recovery plan)?outlines and prioritizes the projects and actions that need to be taken over a five-year period in order to achieve the goals and objectives identified in the recovery strategy. It also identifies who is responsible for these actions and in which years they will be done.
recovery plan
a two-part plan (recovery strategy and action plan) that outlines the recovery goals and objectives, as well as the approaches and actions that should be taken to achieve the recovery of an endangered or threatened species.
recovery strategy
(the first part of a national recovery plan) sets out the goals and objectives for the recovery of one or more endangered or threatened species. A recovery strategy: – provides some background information about the species, such as its range and population size; – assesses the threats to species’ survival (e.g., urban or agricultural development of natural grassland); – describes the habitat requirements of the species; – defines recovery goals and objectives; – outlines approaches or strategies for achieving the goals and objectives.
recovery team
a group of people working to achieve the recovery of one or more endangered or threatened species. The team is composed of representatives of the jurisdictions responsible for the species (e.g., a plant that partly occurs in a national park would be the responsibility of both the province concerned and the federal government through the Parks Canada Agency); species experts such as university professors and veterinarians; and representatives from other groups with a direct interest in recovery of the species, such as local industries, naturalist groups, Aboriginal groups, and landowners. The team is charged with developing a recovery strategy for the species and represents a source of non-political, expert advice about the species’ recovery needs.
regurgitate
to bring undigested food back from the stomach to the mouth.
reintroduction of species
a wildlife management technique whereby individuals of a species are released or transplanted into areas of their historic range; release or transplantation of animals or plants in areas where they have become extirpated.
renewable resources
living resources, such as plants and animals, and other resources such as soil and water that have the capacity to renew themselves when conditions are favourable.
reproduce
to breed or produce young.
reproduction
the act of breeding or producing young.
reproductive failure
an inability to breed or produce young.
reptile
any of the cold-blooded vertebrates of the class Reptilia, characterized by lungs, an outer covering of scales or plates, and young produced in eggs.
research
an effort to discover new or to collect old facts, etc., by the study of a subject or by a course of critical investigation.
researcher
a person who systematically investigates and studies materials and sources to establish facts and reach conclusions.
resident wildlife
animals that are residents of a specific area year-round, as opposed to being migratory.
resource
a portion of an environment to which people have assigned a value or see as being available for use.
rhizome
an underground rootlike stem bearing both roots and shoots.
rip
a stretch of rough water where currents meet.
riparian
located or living along or near a stream, river, or body of water.
risk assessment
an estimate of the chance that environmental or health problems will result from a particular activity. Risk assessments play an important role in determining controls for the manufacture, use, and transportation of toxic chemicals.
rookery
a colony of rooks or seabirds.
roost
to settle for rest or sleep; place where this occurs. Applies primarily to birds but also to bats.
rotifer
minute aquatic animals with rotatory organs for swimming and feeding.
runoff
water that drains or flows off the surface of the land.
rut
the periodic sexual excitement of a male animal; the period during which this happens.
S
salt marsh
marsh forms affected by the daily or seasonal influence of brackish to saline waters, generally in coastal or dry prairie conditions.
sanctuary
a place where birds or other wild animals are protected and/or bred.
savanna
a parklike grassland with scattered trees or clumps of trees.
scapulars
feathers that grow close to where a bird?s wing joins its body.
scrub
low, woody vegetation, composed principally of shrubs.
season
a period of time, usually characterized by specific events or processes (e.g., in Canada, any of the four seasons of the year, each of which is marked by differences or changes in factors such as plant growth and temperature). In wildlife management or conservation terms, that time when hunting, fishing, or trapping is permitted for a particular species.
sedimentation
an increase in the number of solid particles suspended in water, caused primarily by soil erosion. The main human causes of sedimentation are forestry, farming, and construction. When sediment settles, it can smother the feeding and spawning grounds of fish and kill aquatic organisms.
seine net
a fishing net that hangs vertically in the water, with floats at the upper edge and sinkers at the lower.
sere
a series of animal or plant communities that follow one another in a natural succession, as in the change from a bare field to a mature forest.
sewage
the total organic waste and wastewater generated by residential and commercial establishments.
sewage treatment
the process of handling or treating sewage before discharging it into the environment.
shelter
cover; cover from the elements for giving birth, breeding, sleeping, etc.; varies depending upon species.
shoreline
the boundary where land and water meet.
singleton
an animal born singly, without a twin.
skerry
a reef or rocky island.
skink
any of a family of small, smooth-scaled lizards.
slough
a pool or lake produced when rain or melting snow floods a depression in the soil, common in the Prairie Pothole Region; a shallow inlet or estuary lined with grass.
small game
refers to smaller hunted species such as rabbits, woodchucks, squirrels, and doves, as opposed to big game such as deer, elk, moose, bear, and bighorn, or non-game such as songbirds and birds of prey. In many areas, species are legally designated as big game, small game, or non-game.
smog
smog is formed in the Earth’s lower atmosphere, near ground level, when pollutants emitted by cars, power plants, industrial boilers, refineries, chemical plants, and other sources react chemically in the presence of sunlight. Ninety percent of all smog found in urban areas is made up of ground-level ozone?the same chemical found in the stratosphere. In large enough quantities, ground-level ozone can cause respiratory problems in humans and other animals, and damage to plants and building materials. See ‘air quality.’
smolt
a young, silvery salmon migrating to the sea.
snag
a standing dead tree from which the leaves and most of the branches have fallen; typically important as habitat for wildlife such as cavity-nesting birds.
social limits
the saturation point of a species in an environment; how much crowding an individual will accept; varies widely with species.
softwood
a coniferous tree; a common but not strictly accurate term, since the wood of many conifers is harder than that of some so-called hardwood trees.
solubility
capability of being dissolved; the amount of a substance that can be dissolved in a given solvent under specified conditions.
songbird
a bird with a musical call.
spawning
producing or depositing eggs; usually refers to fish, frogs, molluscs, and crustaceans.
special concern
a category used by the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada to describe a species (or subspecies or population) that has ‘characteristics that make it particularly sensitive to human activities or natural events.’
species
a population of individuals that are more or less alike and that are able to breed and produce fertile offspring under natural conditions; a category of biological classification immediately below the genus or subgenus. See ?taxonomy.?
species at risk
a species listed by the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada as extirpated, endangered, threatened, or of special concern.
spill
the release of a liquid chemical, such as oil, into a body of water; a spill can have far-reaching impacts on the environment because it may disperse widely or even mix with the water.
stage
a regular stopping place on a route (e.g., a migration route).
static
showing little change; usually used in reference to a population or to a condition of habitat.
stewardship
in an environmental context, the concept of responsible caretaking; stewardship is based on the premise that we do not own resources (e.g., wildlife), but are managers of these resources and are responsible to future generations for their condition.
stratosphere
the second layer from the Earth of the atmosphere, extending from about 10 to 50 km above the Earth?s surface.
stress
usually thought of as a physical factor that applies detrimental pressure to an organism or population. A drought period would apply a stress to a plant community and thereby to an animal population, perhaps inhibiting reproduction rather than eliminating the species.
subgenus
a taxonomic category below a genus.
subspecies
a taxonomic category below a species; usually a fairly permanent variety that is geographically isolated.
succession
the replacement of populations in a habitat through a regular progression to a stable state (climax). The process might start, for example, when pioneering plants begin to grow on soil exposed by a forest fire. These plants enrich the soil and help provide suitable conditions for more shade-tolerant tree seedlings, shrubs, and other plant species that subsequently colonize the site. A climax forest ecosystem could perhaps contain maples and hemlocks. Animal types would follow a similar pattern of succession, ending perhaps with a climax population of squirrels and porcupines as representative species.
sustainable development
economic development or growth that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. People who advocate sustainable development accept that a certain level of development is essential to satisfy human needs and improve the quality of human life, but they believe that development must be based on the efficient and environmentally responsible use of all of society’s resources?natural, human, and economic.
swale
a low or hollow place, especially a marshy depression or hollow between ridges.
swamp
a wetland where the soil is saturated and often inundated with water, and trees are the dominant cover vegetation.
symbiosis
two organisms of different species living in close association, where one or both of which may benefit and neither is harmed.
symbiotic
the characteristic of symbiosis, or two organisms of different species living in close association, where one or both of which may benefit and neither is harmed.
T
taiga
sparsely treed belt of subarctic forest in the Northern Hemisphere that blends into the tundra in the north and the boreal forest in the south. In Canada the taiga extends from the coast of Labrador to the Mackenzie Delta.
taxonomy
the science of classifying organisms, based on how closely related they are. In zoology (the scientific study of animals), the main classification ranks, from highest to lowest or general to specific, are kingdom, phylum, class, order, family, genus, and species.
terrestrial
having to do with land, not water or air; ground dweller.
territorial
tending to defend an area or territory.
territorial imperative
the instinctive compulsion to gain and defend a territory. Many zoologists believe this drive to be more compelling and persuasive than the sexual urge.
territory
the concept of ownership or dominance over a unit of habitat; an area defended by an animal against others of the same species; an area used for breeding, feeding, or both.
threatened
a category used by the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada to describe a species (or subspecies or population) that is ‘likely to become endangered if limiting factors are not reversed.’
toxic
referring to substances that have or may have an immediate or long-term harmful effect on the environment or human health.
transpiration
the release of water vapour from plants, principally from the leaves. Transpiration is the ‘engine’ that draws water and nutrients up from the roots and also helps cool the plant.
transplant
a plant or animal that has been moved to a new area ; the act of moving a plant or animal to a new area.
trawl net
a large cone-shaped fishing net dragged along the ocean bottom by a boat.
tree
a woody plant, usually four or more metres tall, with a single main stem (trunk) and a more or less distinct crown of leaves.
tree line
also known as timber line. The line or level in a geographic region above which no trees grow.
tribe
a group of related animals or plants, especially one ranking between the genus and the subfamily.
truthing
on-site verification of an observation or assumption made elsewhere. For example, a biologist may visit a site to ‘truth’ an observation about habitat that was made in a laboratory or office based on a map or air photo (also known as ‘ground-truthing’).
tundra
a level to undulating treeless plain characteristic of arctic regions.
U
underfur
the dense layer of fur, short hairs, or wool under the long outer coat of an animal.
understorey
the layer of plants growing under another higher layer of plants (e.g., grass and shrubs under forest trees); the level of forest vegetation beneath the canopy.
ungulate
a mammal with hooves.
V
vascular plant
seed plants, such as flowering trees, shrubs, herbs, and the conifers, as well as other plants, like the ferns and horsetails that reproduce by spores. All of these have specialized conducting cells organized as vascular tissues in their roots, stems, and leaves. They conduct water and inorganic nutrients as well as food made by green cells throughout the plant. These tissues allow vascular plants to grow to considerable size.
vegetation
the mass of plants that covers a given area. Flora, a term often wrongly used interchangeably with vegetation, is a list of the species of plants that compose the vegetation.
vegetation buffer
a physical barrier made of plants; a vegetation buffer may be used to shelter an area from wind or noise or to shield it from an unpleasant view.
vertebrae
(singular: vertebra): the bones of the spinal column.
vertebrate
animal having a backbone or segmented spinal column.
viable
capable of living, growing, and developing.
vulnerable
a category formerly used by the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada to describe a species (or subspecies or population) that has characteristics that make it sensitive to human activities or natural events.
W
waste
a solid, semi-solid, liquid, or contained gaseous material discarded from industrial, mining, agricultural, commercial, or residential operations.
waste management
the disposal, processing, control, recycling, and reuse of the solid, liquid, and gaseous wastes of plants, animals, humans, and other organisms. Some waste materials are hazardous, whereas others are simply so voluminous that their permanent disposal becomes a problem.
water
a colourless, odourless, and tasteless compound made up of hydrogen and oxygen. Water in general refers to rainwater, groundwater, seas, lakes, rivers, etc.
water conservation
reducing water usage or using water more efficiently, in order to reduce pollution and health risks, lower water costs, and extend the useful life of the existing supply and waste-treatment facilities.
water cycle
the continuous circulation of water in systems throughout the planet, involving condensation, precipitation, runoff, evaporation, and transpiration.
water quality
the quality of water as determined by its chemical and bacterial composition. To ensure the safety of drinking water in Canada, maximum allowable limits exist for all potentially harmful contaminants.
waterfowl
any bird that frequents the water or lives on or near rivers, lakes, seas, etc.; some waterfowl are long-legged waders (such as cranes and herons), whereas others are web-footed swimmers (such as ducks and geese). The term is commonly used to refer to swimming game birds.
watershed
the land surrounding and draining into a body of water. The drainage water brings sediments and nutrients from the watershed into the body of water.
waterway
a river, canal, or other body of water used as a route or way of travel or transport.
wean
to accustom a young animal to food other than its mother?s milk; to gradually stop nursing.
wetland
land where the water table is at, near, or above the surface, or which is saturated for a long enough period to create such features as wet-altered soils and water-tolerant vegetation. Wetlands include bogs, fens, marshes, swamps, and shallow open water. They are threatened by human development and water pollution.
wild
not tamed or domesticated and living in a basically free condition. A wild animal provides for its own food, shelter, and other needs in an environment that serves as a suitable habitat.
wild
not tamed or domesticated and living in a basically free condition. A wild animal provides for its own food, shelter, and other needs in an environment that serves as a suitable habitat.
wildfire
any fire other than a controlled or prescribed burn occurring on wild land.
wildlife agency
a government agency responsible for all management of wildlife, including establishing game laws, hunting and fishing dates, and bag limits.
wildlife management
the application of scientific knowledge and technical skills to protect, preserve, conserve, limit, enhance, or extend the value of wildlife and its habitat.
wildlife manager
a person who applies scientific knowledge and technical skills to protect, preserve, conserve, limit, enhance, or extend the value of wildlife and its habitat. A wildlife manager may manipulate or manage wildlife habitat and/or related human activities such as hunting.
woodland
a wooded area in which the trees are often small, short-boled (short-trunked), and open-grown; farm woodland is any wooded area that is part of a farm.
Y
yard up
to gather in a sheltered area in winter; used typically in reference to deer, moose, etc.
Z
zero population growth
the maintenance of population numbers at a fixed level.
zooplankton
tiny animals and animal matter suspended in an aquatic habitat; see ?plankton.?