vocab
WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT
the scientifically based art of manipulating habitats to produce a desired effect: protect, conserve, limit,
or enhance wildlife populations
POPULATION ABUNDANCE
number of individuals of a species that occupies a particular area
NICHE
functional role of a species in the community, including activities and relationships
NATALITY
births; production of new individuals in a population
KEYSTONE SPECIES
a species whose activities have a significant role in determining community structure
THREATENED
any species that is likely to become “endangered” in the foreseeable future; legal term when threatened status is declared by U.S. Dept. of Interior
POLYGYNY
mating of one male with more than one female within a single reproductive cycle
FUNDAMENTAL NICHE
total range of environmental conditions under which a species can survive
FERTILITY
the potential capability of an organism to produce young; percent of eggs that are fertile
INVASIVE SPECIES
a non-native species whose introduction does or is likely to cause economic or environmental harm or harm to human health
PROMISCUITY
mating between any number of males and females with no pair bonds formed
PHENOTYPE
physical expression of a characteristic of an organism as determined by genetic constitution and environment
POACH -- to illegally take (kill) fish or wildlife
REALIZED NICHE
portion of fundamental niche actually occupied by a species because of competition from populations of
other species; environmental conditions under which a population survives and reproduces in
nature
ECOLOGY
study of interrelationships among living systems, and their environments
ABIOTIC
nonliving components of the environment
PRINCIPLE OF COMPETITIVE EXCLUSION
when two or more species coexist using the same resource, one must displace or exclude
the other
PARASITISM
symbiotic relationship where the host is harmed and the parasite benefits
NATURAL SELECTION
the process of genetically different individuals with a higher survival potential in a given environment leaving more progeny; differential survival and reproduction of organisms based on genetic differences
BIOTA
all the plants and animals within an area or region
ACTIVE MANAGEMENT
direct manipulation of animal populations (e.g., translocation, hunt)
PRESERVATION
Hands off” no manipulation of a species or its habitat
PASSIVE MANAGEMENT
no direct action is allocated toward the manipulation of wildlife populations, also called inactive
management
LIMITING FACTOR
factor or condition greater than or outweighing other factors in limiting wildlife population growth
ADAPTATION
genetically controlled structural, physiological, or behavioral characteristics that enhance the chances for members
of a population to survive and reproduce in their environment
COMPETITION
Interaction between individuals that share a required resource that is limited; between organisms of the same species is intraspecific and between organisms of different species is interspecific