Guide to Significant Wildlife Habitat - Door County Web Map
Guide to Significant Wildlife Habitat - Door County Web Map
Guide to Significant Wildlife Habitat - Door County Web Map
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hydrological cycle<br />
The cyclical movement of water from the ocean <strong>to</strong> the atmosphere, through rain <strong>to</strong> the surface,<br />
through runoff and groundwater <strong>to</strong> streams, and back <strong>to</strong> the sea. (from Earth, F. Press and R. Siever)<br />
hydrology<br />
The science of that part of the hydrologic cycle between rain and return <strong>to</strong> the sea; the study of<br />
water on and within the land. (from Earth, F. Press and R. Siever)<br />
impervious surface<br />
Generally used in reference <strong>to</strong> water, an impervious surface is one (e.g. pavement, asphalt,<br />
roofing material) through which water cannot drain. The existence of impervious surfaces is linked <strong>to</strong><br />
increased rates and speed of runoff from an area, in that they prevent water from draining in<strong>to</strong> the soil.<br />
indica<strong>to</strong>r species<br />
A species used as a gauge for the condition of a particular habitat, community, or ecosystem.<br />
(from Principles of Conservation Biology, G. Meffe and C. Carrol et al)<br />
interior species<br />
A species adapted <strong>to</strong> the conditions of a forest interior. Populations of interior species may<br />
decline or cease <strong>to</strong> thrive if subjected <strong>to</strong> edge environments. (from Ecology of Greenways, J. Thorne)<br />
local government unit<br />
A unit of government at the <strong>to</strong>wnship, village, city, or county level.<br />
native species<br />
Usually, a species known <strong>to</strong> have existed on a site prior <strong>to</strong> the influence of humans. It depends on<br />
the temporal or spatial context of analysis, since long-established exotic species are often considered <strong>to</strong> be<br />
native by default. (from Dictionary of Natural Resource Management, Julian & Katherine Dunster<br />
1996,UBC Press, Vancouver, BC)<br />
natural area<br />
A site largely unaltered by modern human activity, where native vegetation is distributed in<br />
naturally occurring patterns. (See also, a working definition, Appendix D, page 179)<br />
natural community<br />
An assemblage of plants and animals, in a particular place at a particular time, interacting with<br />
one another, the abiotic environment around them, and subject <strong>to</strong> primarily natural disturbance regimes.<br />
Those assemblages that are repeated across a landscape in an observable pattern constitute a community<br />
type. No two assemblages, however, are exactly alike. (See also, Chapter 1, page 16, paragraph 4)<br />
natural disturbance events<br />
Recurring perturbations (such as lightning-caused fires, high winds, s<strong>to</strong>rms, floods, and insect<br />
outbreaks) that occur in ecosystems without human intervention. (from Saving Nature's Legacy, R. Noss<br />
and A. Cooperrider)<br />
natural succession<br />
The natural, sequential change of species composition of a community in a given area. (from<br />
Principles of Conservation Biology, G. Meffe and C. Carrol et. al.)<br />
old-growth forest<br />
Several definitions are possible depending on the forest type under scrutiny. Typically, oldgrowth<br />
forests differ significantly from younger forests in structure, ecological function, and species<br />
composition. Typical characteristics of an old-growth forest include: (1) moderate <strong>to</strong> high canopy<br />
closure; (2) patchy, multi-layered, multi-species canopy with trees of several age classes, but dominated<br />
by large overs<strong>to</strong>rey trees, some with broken <strong>to</strong>ps and other indications of old and decaying wood; (3)<br />
numerous large, standing, dead trees; (4) heavy accumulations of down woody debris; and (5) the<br />
presence of species and functional processes that are representative of the potential natural community.<br />
– Glossary – 155