Conservation of Our Natural Resources Midterm Exam Notes Flashcards
What are natural resources? Why are they important?
Natural resources are resources found in nature. They are important because some of them are essential to the survival of mankind, while others are important to maintaining our standard of living.
Name the eight groups of natural resources.
Wildlife, air and wind, soil, water, minerals, fossil fuels, sunlight, and people.
What is domestication?
It means bringing animals and plants under the control of humans.
What is the most important component of air? Why?
Oxygen. It is required by just about all living things.
What is wind power?
Harnessing air movement.
What is the source of nearly all energy used on the earth?
The sun.
Why are people listed as natural resources?
Because people have many talents and skills. They can use the earth’s resources wisely or abuse and damage resources. The lives of people are influenced by how they use resources and relate to one another.
What is renewability?
The capacity of resource to be restored after it has been used.
What are two classes of natural resources based on renewability?
Renewable natural resources and nonrenewable natural resources.
What is exhaustibility?
The capacity of a resource supply to be replenished as it is used.
What are the two classes of natural resources based on exhaustibility?
Exhaustible and inexhaustible natural resources.
What is sustainable resource use? How does it relate to conservation?
It means using resources in such a way that they last a long time. Conservation is using resources wisely.
Preservation
maintaining resources without use
Wildlife
living organisms that haven’t been domesticated
Wind
large-scale air movement across the surface of the earth
Water
a colorless and tasteless liquid
Soil
the outer layer of the earth’s surface that supports plant life
Renewable natural resources
a resource that can be replaced when it is used up (examples: air, soil, and wildlife)
Nonrenewable natural resources
cannot be replaced when used (examples: minerals such as gold, fossil fuels)
Fossil fuels
materials used to provide energy that were created by the decomposition of dead plants and animals
What is a solid form of a fossil fuel?
coal
What is a liquid form of a fossil fuel?
petroleum, which is used to make gasoline
What is one big problem with fossil fuels?
they are major sources of pollution
Exhaustible natural resources
natural resources that are available in limited amounts that can be used up (examples: minerals and fossil fuels)
Exhaustible resources can be further placed in which two categories?
Irreplaceable and replaceable
Inexhaustible resources
are continually being replenished (examples: sunlight, air and wind, and water)
Atmosphere
the area that surrounds the earth
Mineral
a natural inorganic substance on or in the earth
Inorganic substance
does not have the structure of living things
Sunlight
the light and warmth of the sun
What can light produce?
solar energy
What three forms can water be found in?
solid, liquid, and gas
Air
the mixture of gases that surrounds the earth
What is the distinction between consumptive and non consumptive uses of natural resources?
Consumptive uses deplete a resource so it no longer exists. Nonconsumptive uses do not.
What are the basic needs of humans?
food, shelter, and clothing
What is the trend in the earth’s human population?
rapid growth
Why is resource depletion a concern in meeting population demands?
because human life requires natural resources
What is waste? What wastes are created by people?
Waste is unused materials or discarded products. People create household waste from life processes.
Why is landscape degradation a concern?
because landscape is a source of resources, and some alterations may not be reversible.
What are three areas of concern related to the atmosphere?
unclean air, the greenhouse effect, and destruction of the ozone layer
What is hunger? How is it related to malnourishment and undernourishment?
Hunger is shortage of food. Malnourishment and undernourishment are both results of inadequate food resources.
What are three areas of urban and rural impact? Why is each important?
Three areas of urban and rural impact are land-use planning, resource protection, and agricultural land use. Land-use planning is important because it guides the use of land for agricultural, residential, commercial and other uses. It attempts to minimize pollution and maximize the quality of life. Resource use is important to both urban and rural areas. Urban areas depend on rural areas to provide quality water and other resources. Rural areas depend on urban areas to promote a good environment. Agricultural land use is important for both rural and urban areas. urban areas depend on cropland to produce food and other materials. Both areas require the use of these resources to support human life
Why are recycling and reusing important?
they reduce the demand for new natural resources
Hunger
a shortage of food
Belief
a person’s conviction about something
Land-use planning
the process of determining how land will be used
Desertification
the formation of desert on land that was once productive
Landscape alteration
altering the natural features of the earth
Issue
a problem or question to be solved
Consumptive use
using a resource so the amount used no longer exists
Demography
the study of human population
Greenhouse effect
a condition in the atmosphere that traps radiation near the earth
Sustainability
using resources so some are available for future generations
Reusing
using a product again without remanufacturing
Recycling
using a product or the materials to make a product again. The product produced may be different from the previous use of the material.
Malnourishment
the lack of proper nutrients
Undernourishment
the lack of calories for energy
Resource depletion
using resources faster than they can be renewed
Ozone layer
filters out harmful radiation from the sun
Household waste
garbage and rubbish that originate in the home
Sewage
liquid waste containing water with solid materials
What is science? Why is it important in studying natural resources?
Science is knowledge of the world in which we live. Science is important in several ways, including research, sustainability, restoration, and protection.
What are the areas of science?
The four major areas of science are physical science, which is the study of nonliving things around us; life science, which deals with the study of living things; mathematics, which is the science of numbers; and social science, which is the study of human behavior.
How does the planet Earth move in its solar system?
Earth moves in two ways: rotation is the turning of the earth on an axis; revolution is the circling of the earth around the sun.
What is the importance of the rotations and revolutions of the earth?
Rotation allows for day and night, which creates cycles in living organisms. Light provides energy and promotes photosynthesis in plants, while dark provides times of rest. The revolution of the earth provides for the different seasons of the year.
What are the three major spheres associated with the earth?
The lithosphere, atmosphere, and hydrosphere.
What is the earth’s internal structure? How does this structure sometimes cause changes on the surface?
The earth consists of three layers—the crust, the outer layer; the mantle, the middle layer; and the core, which is the center. The earth is continually moving deep inside, which affects landform. Great pressure causes rocks to move, fold, crack, and/or bend. Some movements cause earthquakes, volcanic action, and tsunamis.
What is a community? What are the two types of communities?
A community is the assortment of plants, animals, and other organisms that live together. The two major types of communities are aquatic, based in water, and terrestrial, based on land.
What food relationships exist in the biosphere?
Each species has a different food chain, which is the sequence in which organisms obtain their food.
Distinguish between herbivores, carnivores, and omnivores.
A herbivore is an animal species that exclusively eats plants for food. A carnivore is an animal species that eats the flesh of other animals. An omnivore is an animal species that eats both plants and animals.
What is succession? Why is it important?
Succession is the replacement of one community by another. Succession includes natural selection. Natural selection is the process by which organisms that are best adapted to an environment survivive longer and have more offspring.
Earth science
the area of physical science that deals with the environment in which organisms live and grow
Surface water
water found on the surface of the earth
Botany
the study of plants
Solar system
a group of objects in space that are held together by a sun
Timberline
the elevation at which trees stop growing
Revolution (earth revolution)
circling of the earth around the sun. Takes approximately 365 days for a revolution to be completed
Ecology
the study of how living organisms exist in their natural environment
Lithosphere
the solid portion of the planet Earth
Sphere
the environment in which something exists
Plate tectonics
a theory of plates deep inside the earth that explains surface movements of the earth
Niche
the unique way a species lives in a community
Habitat
the physical, environmental characteristics of a community that allow a particular species to live there
What is needed in a habitat?
climate, moisture, soil, and food
Terrestrial community
one that is based on the land
Aquatic community
one that is based in water
Ecosystem
all the parts of the environment in which an organism lives
Biosphere
the part of the ecosphere that supports life
Ecosphere
where living things are found on the earth
All of the water on Earth forms what sphere?
the hydrosphere
Groundwater
water stored below the surface of the earth (can be held by soil particles or as aquifers)
Water cycle (hydrologic cycle)
the circulation of water through the hydrosphere
What percent of the air is oxygen?
21%
What percent of the air is nitrogen?
78%
What percent of the air is neon, argon, and carbon dioxide?
1%
What sphere are satellites in?
mesosphere
What four layers does the atmosphere have?
troposphere, stratosphere, mesosphere, and thermosphere
Troposphere
the first layer in the atmosphere; it extends upward 5 to 11 miles
Stratosphere
the second layer in the atmosphere; it extends about 30 miles
Mesosphere
the third layer in the atmosphere
Thermosphere
the fourth and final layer in the atmosphere; it is hot due to intense heat from the sun (hence the name “thermosphere”)
Topography
the study and mapping of the detailed landform features of an area
Crust
the outer portion of the earth. It contains the soil that supports plant life.
Mantle
the part of the earth that is located between the crust and the core. It is made of aluminum, silicon, iron, and other materials. The mantle is very hot.
Core
the center of the earth. It is divided into the outer core and center. The core is made of molten iron and nickel.
Rotation (earth rotation)
the turning of Earth on an axis
Where are the Earth’s axis’ located?
the North and South poles
How long does it take for one Earth rotation?
one 24-hour day
Social science
the study of human behavior
Mathematics
the science of numbers
Zoology
the study of animals
Protoplasm
the only natural substance in which life exists
What is natural resource conservation? Why is it important?
Natural resource conservation is the wise use of natural resources in order to sustain them for ourselves as well as for future generations. If we do not conserve, we will run out of resources.
What are two reasons for conservation?
Resource conservation is important for two main reasons: one, people need natural resources such as food and water to live. Two, they want to maintain their standard of living by having conveniences such as running water and electricity that will promote health and well-being.
What are two examples of how to conserve natural resources?
One example is by reusing natural resources as some materials can be reused without remanufacturing. Second is by preventing damage. This involves properly disposing of wastes in order to prevent pollution and damage to natural resources.
What is the meaning of interdependent relationships?
The meaning of interdependent relationships is that organisms depend on each other.
What is pollution?
Pollution is hazardous or poisonous substances released into the biosphere.
What undesirable changes might be caused by pollution in the biosphere?
Disease, reduced growth, and reproduction failure are some examples of undesirable changes that might be caused by pollution in the biosphere.
What are some examples of landscape degradation?
Examples of landscape degradation include cutting natural trees; changing topography by using heavy equipment to move earth around; mining minerals such as copper, sand, and gravel; building power lines and roads through forests and over mountains; and other activities that degrade the scenic value of the landscape.
What are two types of pollution sources?
The two types are point source pollution and nonpoint source pollution. Point source pollution is from sources that are readily identifiable, while nonpoint source pollution is from sources that cannot be directly identified.
What is exploitation of natural resources? How did it create problems?
Exploitation of natural resources is using natural resources for profit. Previous generations used resources without regard to people, without considering that resources were limited.
Why are water and soil conservation closely related?
Water and soil conservation are closely related because water washes away unprotected soil, and these soil particles damage the quality of water. Silt can clog rivers and create floods.
What did the Lacey Act do to protect wildlife?
The Lacey Act made transporting illegally killed wildlife across state lines a federal crime.
Symbiotic relationship
when different species live together and benefit from each other
Dust Bowl
area of the Great Plains that suffered severe wind erosion in the 1930s
Rachel Carson
informed the public about environmental risks in using pesticides
Aldo Leopold
used ecology in studying wildlife
Point source pollution
a source of pollution that is readily identifiable (example: factories that produce wastewater)
Gifford Pinchot
an early leader in the conservation of forests. He headed the agency in the federal government that is known today as the Forest Service.
Pollutant
a material that causes pollution
Aesthetic benefit
a feature that has human appeal
Economic value
the value of a resource in terms of economics
Landscape degradation
changing the features of the earth’s surface so natural features are less appealing
Franklin D. Roosevelt
his efforts included setting up an agency in the U.S. Department of Agriculture with the mission of conserving soil and water. The programs involved landowners in planning and implementing conservation practices that were subsidized with federal funds.
Hugh H. Bennet
known as the “father of soil conservation”.
Theodore Roosevelt
he set up the first wildlife refuge at Pelican Island, Florida. Millions of acres of forests were added to the nation’s reserves during his presidency.
John Muir
he traveled and studied the forest areas of the U.S. He explored what is now the Yosemite and Sequoia National Parks in California. He founded the Sierra Club in 1892 to promote conservation.
Exploitation
using natural resources for profit
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)
the lead federal agency in the restoration of coastal resources and fisheries
Restoration
the process of reestablishing a habitat
Non-point source pollution
from sources that cannot be directly identified (example: the use of pesticides)
Pollution
releasing hazardous or poisonous substances into the biosphere
What are the reasons soil is important?
Soil is important for plant growth, microbe habitat, water renewal, foundations for structure sites, waste disposal, reservoirs, and aesthetic purposes.
What are the four major components of soil?
minerals, water, air, and organic matter
What are the mineral materials in soil?
The minerals in soil include sand, silt, and clay. Sand has the largest particle size; silt has a medium particle size; and clay has the smallest particle size.
What are the sources of organic matter in soil?
Organic matter is decaying plant and animal remains.
How is soil formed?
Soil is formed by the weathering process. The parent material is rock. Rock is weathered into soil through climate factors.
What is soil pH?
the acidity or alkalinity of soil
What nutrients are present in soil?
The nutrients found in soil are those essential for plant growth. Any soil that is deficient will cause poor plant growth. Examples of nutrients in the soil include nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium.
What comprises the physical nature of soil?
Soil is classified based on its physical nature, including texture, depth, color, structure, consistency, and permeability.
What is a soil profile?
a vertical section of the soil at a site
What are the ways water is held in soil?
The three forms of water found in soil are gravitational, which is superfluous water; capillary, which is water available to plants and important for terrestrial growth; and hygroscopic, which is not readily available to plants.
Mineral soil
a soil that has more minerals than other materials
Parent material
the mineral and organic material from which soil is formed
Permeability
water movement through the soil. It depends on the texture and structure of the soil.
Clay
the smallest particle sizes in soil
Soil texture
the relative proportion of soil components by particle size
Water table
the level at which water saturates the ground
Root zone
the area in soil where roots are found
Soil amendment
material added to soil to improve its productivity
Weathering
the process of materials becoming soil
Organic matter
decaying remains of plants and animals form soil
What are the three forms of water found in soil?
gravitational, capillary, and hygroscopic
Gravitational water
the water that drains downward through the soil. It helps restore the supply of groundwater.
Capillary water
the water held between the soil particles. It is most important for terrestrial plant growth.
Hygroscopic water
the water that adheres to each soil particle. It forms a very thin film around the particles. It moves only in vapor form.
What are the layers of a soil profile?
O horizon, A horizon, B horizon, C horizon, and R horizon.
O horizon
the top layer. It consists of leaves, roots, limbs, and decaying matter.
A horizon
the topsoil. Organic matter is concentrated here. It provides nutrients for plant growth.
B horizon
the subsoil. Plant roots use this layer as a source of nutrients and to anchor the plant.
C horizon
parent material is found here.
R horizon
the bedrock layer. Consists of solid rock. (think “R for rock”)
Hardpan
compacted layer of soil beneath the topsoil. They interfere with water movement and root growth.
Consistency
how easy it is to work with a soil.
Soil structure
the arrangement of soil particles into shapes and pieces.
What type of soil helps water move faster and encourages root growth?
granular
Fertilizer
soil amendments containing nutrients
Humus
organic matter that is well decomposed
Sand
the component of soil with the largest particle size
Silt
the component of soil of medium particle size - smaller than sand and larger than clay. High silt soils are fertile and hold more water than soil high in sand.
What is erosion? How does erosion damage soil?
Soil erosion is the loss of soil. Erosion destroys the fertility of the soil.
What are the kinds of erosion?
Kinds of erosion include sheet erosion, rill erosion, and gully erosion.
What is soil degradation?
Soil degradation is any action or event that lowers the quality of the soil.
How is use related to soil conservation?
Soil conservation begins with proper land use. If land is used for purposes for which it is not well suited, erosion is more likely to occur.
Why are wetlands important?
Wetlands are important in maintaining productive soil and quality water. Three reasons wetlands are important are groundwater renewal, preservation of waterfowl habitat, and preservation of fish nurseries.
What soil conservation practices may be used?
Soil conservation practices include terracing, contouring, strip cropping, ponds, vegetative covers and grass strips, windbreaks and shelter breaks, conservation tillage, and crop rotation. A terrace is a long ridge of earth that follows the contour of the land to slow runoff. Contouring is performing all field operations on the contour of the land elevation. Strip cropping is planting crops of different types in strips across a hillside. Pond levees may be designed to collect runoff. Vegetative cover, including grass strips, is a protective crop that is grown to prevent soil erosion. A windbreak is a row of trees or shrubs planted to slow the movement of surface wind. A shelter break is a row of shrubs, trees, or a combination of plants that help provide protection from the wind. Conservation tillage is using very little those tillage practices that disturb the surface of the land. Crop rotation is alternating the use of land in producing crops.
How does conservation tillage help prevent erosion?
Conservation tillage helps prevent erosion by using tillage practices, such as no-till and minimum tillage, that minimally disturb the surface of the land.
What is the difference between a level terrace and a graded terrace?
A level terrace is parallel with the slope of the land and does not divert runoff into a waterway. A graded terrace has a gradual slope from one end to the other that follows the contour of the land. It collects and diverts the water into a waterway.
What is soil renewal?
The purpose of soil renewal is to restore the productivity of the soil when moderate to severe loss has occurred.
Name one practice that can be used to conserve soil in urban areas and one in agricultural areas.
The use of mulch will conserve soil in urban areas because mulch helps hold water and reduce the impact of water flow. Building terraces is an effective soil-conservation strategy in agricultural areas because terraces prevent the rapid flow of water and help hold the soil in place.
Conservation tillage
using tillage practices that disturb the surface of the land very little
Mulch
a layer of straw, burlap, or other material that covers the soil
Topsoil
first few inches of soil high in nutrients
Soil erosion
loss of soil by movement to another location
Soil degradation
actions or events that lower the quality of soil
Wetland
an area where soil is often saturated with water
Soil conservation
using soil so loss or damage is very little or none
Tilth
the physical condition of soil that makes it suitable for crops
Terrace
long ridge of earth that follows the contour of the land to prevent soil and water loss
Contouring
performing land use operations on the contour of the elevation
Silt fence
a structure placed at the bottom of a slope to allow water to flow through but to hold back the soil particles
Broad-base terrace
used in large fields with gradual slopes. They accommodate the use of farm machinery.
Grassed back-slope terraces
used on land with more slope than the broad-base terrace. The back slope of the terrace is not tilled but is seeded to permanent grass.
Narrow-base terraces
used on land with somewhat more slope than the first two types. Both the front and the back of the terrace has permanent grass.
Bench terraces
used on steeper hillsides.
Ridge terraces
used to hold water in place rather than drain it away
Diversion terraces
built on steep slops of more than 10% grade. They are designed to quickly carry away water from heavy rains.
Lister terraces
small terraces often used on a temporary basis.
Crop rotation
alternating the use of land in producing crops
Grassed waterway
a shallow vegetated ditch that carries runoff away
Windbreak
a row of trees or shrubs planted to slow the movement of surface wind
Shelter break
a row or cluster of shrubs, trees, or combination of plants that help provide protection from the wind
No-till
producing a traditional crop without plowing
Minimum tillage
plowing so the surface of the land is disturbed as little as possible
Vegetative cover
a protective crop grown to prevent soil erosion. This is the most widely used approach to soil conservation.
Strip cropping
planting crops of different types in strips across a hillside
Gully erosion
a severe kind of erosion
Sheet erosion
the loss of thin layers or sheets of soil
Rill erosion
the loss of soil on sloping land where small channels are formed by running water
Wind erosion
the loss of soil due to wind. It usually occurs in dry climates where the soil is loose.
Water erosion
the loss of soil due to water movement. It is the major cause of soil loss in North America.
What are the important uses of water?
Water is important for life processes, daily living, food and fiber production, climate, manufacturing, transportation, and recreation.
What is the chemical formula for water?
The chemical formula for water is H2O. Two atoms of hydrogen combine with one atom of oxygen to form one molecule of water.
What are the three states of water?
The three states of water are solid, liquid, and gas.
When does water change from one state to another?
Ice, which is the solid state, forms at the freezing point of 32°F. The liquid form is between freezing and boiling temperatures. Water vapor, which is the gas state, forms when water boils or evaporates at 212°F at sea level.
What is salinity? Why is it a problem?
Salinity refers to the level of salt in water. Salt content limits the use of water for many purposes, such as drinking and irrigating.
How is salinity measured?
in parts per thousand
What are the major sources of water?
Water comes from two major sources—the surface of the earth and underground. Surface water is found in lakes, streams, reservoirs, and oceans, and most of it is saline. Groundwater comes from within the earth.
What is the water cycle? Why is it important?
The water cycle is the natural process of water going from the earth to the atmosphere and back to the earth. The water cycle cleans and renews water.
What is a watershed?
an area that provides runoff for a stream or reservoir
Why is it important to keep watersheds free of pollution?
Watersheds must be free of pollutants because anything in a watershed might be carried away in runoff to a creek or river. This may contaminate the water, which then cannot be used.
What are the kinds of streams?
rivers, creeks, and brooks
Why is flood plain information needed before building a home?
Flooding can destroy homes, businesses, crops, and other things. Therefore, people need to know the flood history of an area before building on it.
What is water quality?
the condition of water for a particular use
What factors indicate water quality?
odor, taste, color, pH, hardness, turbidity, presence of heavy metals, chemical residues, and coliform bacteria
What is physical monitoring of water?
observing the characteristics of a stream, ocean, or lake
Freshwater
water with very little or no salt
Saltwater
water containing more than 16.5 ppt salt
Desalination
the process of removing salt from water
Distillation
the process of making water pure
Aquifer
underground areas where water fills pores between sand and rock
Brackish water
water that is a six of saltwater and freshwater
Potable water
water that is suitable for drinking and other household use
Evaporation
the movement of water molecules from liquid into the air
Watershed
the area that provides runoff for a stream of reservoir
Flood plain
the area along a stream that may be covered with overflow water
Stream channel
the sides and bottom of a stream. They may be formed of earth or rock.
What are the kinds of streams?
rivers, creeks, brooks, and canals
River
a river is a large stream that has high streamflow
Creek
a creek is a stream that is smaller than a river. Many people associate creeks with muddy, polluted water.
Brook
a brook is a small stream. They are often associated with cool, clear freshwater.
Canal
a canal is an artificial waterway. They are built for transportation, to relieve flooding, or to divert water to where it is needed.
Streamflow
the movement of water in a stream. It includes both volume and velocity of water movement.
Velocity
the rate of flow
Volume
the amount of flow
Stream
a flowing body of water. Most streams are freshwater.
Transpiration
the release of water from the leaves of plants.
Precipitation
rain. It is made of freshwater.
Water distribution
moving water from its source to where it is needed
Aquifer
an area of porous sand, gravel, and limestone that is saturated with water in spaces between particles and in cracks. Wells are bored into aquifers to get water.
How much of the earth’s water is saltwater?
97% in lakes, seas, and oceans.
Evapotranspiration
the loss of water from the soil by plant transpiration and evaporation
Irrigation
the artificial application of water to crops
What percent of animals is water?
60 to 70%
What percent of plants is water?
70 to 95%
How much water does the average person in the U.S. use each day?
100 gallons
Distinguish between vertebrate and invertebrate animal wildlife.
A vertebrate is an animal that has a backbone. An invertebrate is an animal that does not have a backbone.
What are the five groups of vertebrates?
mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, and fish
In identifying wildlife, what is a sign?
evidence that an animal is or has been in the area
What are four benefits of wildlife?
aesthetic benefits, game benefits, economic benefits, scientific benefits, and ecological benefits
What are five uses of wildlife?
Uses of wildlife include food, clothing, ornamentation, medicine, and recreation.
What four components are found in habitat?
food, water, shelter, and space
What is cover? Why is cover important?
Cover is the protection from predators and weather that animals gain in their habitat. Cover offers a safe place for animals to rear their young.
What are the three major classifications of habitat?
The three major classifications of habitat are aquatic, terrestrial, and amphibious. An aquatic habitat is a water-based habitat for animals that live in and/or depend on water for their food and reproduction. An amphibious habitat is a habitat for animals that require both land and water. A terrestrial habitat is a habitat for animals that live on the land.
What is wildlife endangerment?
a condition in the ecosystem that threatens the continued existence of a species
What are the threats to wildlife?
loss of habitat, threats to health and age, presence of predators, pollution, and hunting
What activities may be used in wildlife management?
promoting habitat, introducing or reestablishing species, preventing pollution, and taking property
What are the three major recreational uses of wildlife?
hunting, which is killing game for food or sport; fishing, which is capturing fish with hooks, nets, seines, traps, and other means; and nature study, which is learning about things through nature
Nature study
the process of learning about things in nature
Vertebrate
an animal that has a backbone (examples: mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, and fish)
Home range
the area in which an animal travels
Anadromous fish
a fish that lives in saltwater and spawns in freshwater
Bait
live or dead material used to attract animals
Hunter safety
the use of hunting gear and practices to prevent accidents and injury
Waterfowl
swimming birds that live in water habitats
Woodland
a land area covered with trees, shrubs, vines, mosses, fallen limbs, and tree trunks
Extinct species
a species no longer found on earth (example: passenger pigeon)
Bag limit
restriction on the number of animals that can be taken in one day or one hunt
Predation
the capture and consumption of one animal by another
Endangered species
one that is threatened with becoming extinct. The species is not reproducing itself sufficiently to maintain its population. (example: grizzly bears, whooping cranes, and gray wolves)
Threatened species
one that is facing serious dangers and likely to become endangered. Many species are threatened by hunting, trapping, and other harvesting.
Rare species
one that exists in small numbers and could become threatened.
Brush
shrubs, scrub trees, vines, herbaceous plants, and dead plant materials
Edge
the area where two habitats meet
Diadromous fish
fish that migrate between freshwater and saltwater
Catadromous fish
freshwater species that go to saltwater to spawn
Feral animal
one that has escaped from domestication and returned to the wild
Invertebrate
an animal that does not have a backbone (examples: insects, worms, shrimp, spiders, and lobsters)
What is a forest?
an area where trees and other plants grow in an ever-changing community
Distinguish between native forests and tree farms.
In native forests, species grow voluntarily and are naturally present. A tree farm is an area that has been planted with selected and improved tree species.
How were forests important in the development of the United States?
The availability of quality timber was a major factor in the colonization of the United States.
What is urban forestry? Why is it important?
Urban forestry is establishing and caring for trees in urban areas. Benefits include soil conservation, water conservation, and temperature modification.
What are the major products harvested from forests?
logs and pulpwood
What are the environmental and aesthetic benefits of forests?
Forests provide benefits such as influence upon local climate, conservation of moisture, pollutant removal and detection, noise reduction, and habitats.
What common kinds of plants are found in forests?
The common kinds of plants found in forests include trees, shrubs, vines, herbs, mosses, and ferns. A tree is a perennial plant more than fifteen feet tall. Shrubs are perennials that grow less than fifteen feet tall. A vine is a plant that creeps or climbs on other plants, rocks, or the ground. An herb is a plant with roots, stems, and leaves but without definite structure. Mosses are very low-growing plants that do not have flowers. Ferns are non-flowering plants that reproduce with spores.
What is story? What kinds of story are found in a forest?
A story is a horizontal layer of growth, often in three layers—understory, mid-story, upper story. Forests with mixed species of different ages and sizes have greater story.
What are the major parts of a tree? What are the functions of each part?
Trees have three major parts—the crown, which holds leaves up to collect sunlight so photosynthesis can occur; the trunk, which transports raw materials upward to the crown for photosynthesis and manufactured food down to the roots; and the roots, which take water and nutrients from the soil, store manufactured food, and allow the tree to stay in position.
What are the two general groups of tree species?
Two general groups of tree species are conifers and hardwoods. A conifer has needles and produces seed in cones; many conifers are evergreens and retain needles all year. Hardwoods lose their leaves each fall, have broad leaves, and produce seeds in fruits, berries, and nuts.
What are the major things to look for in identifying a tree?
leaves, twigs, bark, flowers, and fruit
What is a forest region? How many regions are there in the U.S.?
A forest region is an area with a predominance of related tree species. There are six major forests regions in the United States.
What silviculture practices are used to improve forests?
planting, thinning, cleaning, liberation, harvesting, and protecting
Stand
number of plants distributed over an area of land
Seedling
a young tree no more than 15 to 18 inches (38 to 45 cm) tall
Log
the stem of a tree harvested for making lumber
Native forest
a forest where the species are voluntarily growing
Urban forestry
the care and management of trees in cities
Shrub
a perennial plant that does not grow as tall as a tree
Canopy
the upper part of a tree composed of limbs, leaves, etc.
Story
the horizontal layer of vegetative growth in a forest
Lichen
a non plant organism that is a combined fungus and alga
Conifer
a tree that produces seed in cones
Silviculture
managing tree stands to increase productivity
Northern Forest Region
the largest of the six forest regions. It extends through Canada and the interior of Alaska. The northern portion produces small-size trees such as spruce, balsam fir, larch, paper birch, aspen balsam, poplar, and willows. The southern portion produces highly valuable timber species like spruce, birches, beech, basswood, maples, and red oak.
Southern Forest Region
covers the coastal area from Texas to Maryland. It is one of the most important timber producing areas in North America. It produces seven species of pine, bald cypress, tupelo gum, sweet gum, beech, ashes, elms, oaks, hickories, etc.
Central Hardwood Region
covers the central portion of the eastern U.S. Oaks are the dominant species. Others include hickories, ashes, elms, maples, gum, beech, yellow poplar, walnut, cottonwood, sycamore, and dogwood.
Tropical Forest Region
found in Arizona, California, southern Florida, and extreme southern Texas. Trees are small here and lack commercial value. Arizona and California provide a desert climate with brushy plants capable of living under extremely dry conditions, such as palms, ebony, mesquite, and other thorny species.
Rocky Mountain Forest Region
spread over the mountains from Mexico into northern Canada. The primary tree species are spruce, lodgepole pine, aspen, poplar, ponderosa pine, Douglas-fir, oaks, pinyon pine, junipers, and cottonwood.
Pacific Coast Forest Region
includes the Pacific coast states. This region supports the largest and tallest trees in the world (giant sequoia and redwood). The Douglas-fir is in this forest region.
What is the single most important timber species in the world?
Douglas-fir
Dominant species (trees)
those that grow the largest and shade the other species
Hardwood
a tree that has broadleaves and has wood that is hard and of fine grain (examples: oaks, gums, walnut, cherry, maple)
Conifer
has needles and produces seeds in cones (examples: pines, spruces, and firs). They are predominantly used in making lumber.
Dendrology
the study of tree identification
Root
the part of a tree that is in the ground.
Trunk
the main stem connecting the crown with the roots.
Crown
the top part of a tree, with limbs, leaves, and perhaps flowers and fruit. The crown holds the leaves to collect sunlight so photosynthesis can occur.
Vine
a plant that creeps or climbs on other plants, rocks, or the ground
Tree
a perennial plant more than 15 feet.
Pulpwood
used to make paper and similar products
Old-growth forest
an uncut forest. Most old-growth forests are in the Pacific coast states.
Regrowth forest
it regrows every quarter century or so after cutting
