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Glossary of Envirothon Forestry 2

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What is a boreal forest?
Forests of high altitudes and steep slopes.
What is a young forest?
Results from disturbance or land-use change, range in age from 0-10 yrs
What is a middle aged forest?
trees of small diameter from 10-70 yrs, understory becomes more scarce, middle story produces more mast
What is a mature forest?
large diameter trees and diverse understory
What are snags?
standing dead or partially dead trees
What are cavity trees or den trees?
Live trees that have at least one nesting site.
What is succession (biotic change)?
the gradual and fairly predictable change of species that occupy and alter a site over time
What is primary succession?
An ecological succession that begins in an area where no life is present.
What are primary species?
in primary succession, the lichens and mosses that first colonize the site
What are common animals in primary succession?
seed eating birds and snakes
What is a climax community (mature communitiy)?
a relatively stable, long-lasting community reached in ecological sucession, usually determined by climate and soil type
What is secondary succession?
The pattern of change in an ecosystem where a community has previously existed (soil remains in place).
What is an ecotone?
An area where two ecosystems in different stages of succession meet.
What is the edge effect?
The greater variety of wildlife and greater population density found in an ecotone.
What is ecology?
the study of how living things interact with each other and with their nonliving environment
What is the biotic portion of the forest?
The trees, shrubs, wildflowers, ferns, other plants, fugi, mammals, birds, etc.
What are producers?
green plants that make their own food using the sun as the energy source
What are consumers?
animals that eat plants or other animals
What are decomposers?
break down the plant and animal matter to be nutrients essential for plant and animal growth
What is symbiosis?
A close association between different species usually over an extended period of time
What is parasitism?
A relationship between two species or organisms where one is hurt and one benefits from the relationship
What is mutualism?
A relationship between two species where both benefit from the relationship.
What is commensalism?
a relationship between two species where one benfits but the other one does not benefit nor is harmed
What is hard mast?
nuts and acorns
What is biodiversity?
Large variety of plant and animal species
What are microecosystems?
small areas that are part of a larger system with their own set of complex interactions occurring within them
What is the abiotic portion of the forest ecosystem?
the air, water, soil, sunlight, climate, and essential nutrients
What is the photoperiod?
day length
What is respiration?
the sugar made during photosynthesis is broken down with the use of oxygen to prduce energy, carbon dioxide, and water
What are the six nutrients commonly recognized as necessary for life?
C, H, O, Nitrogen, Phosphors, and Sulfur

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