Wildlife Management: Glossary

A

aquatic habitat

an animal's address that is mainly in water

B

biodiversity

the numbers and types, or varieties, of different plants and animals that live in an ecosystem

C

carrying capacity

the number of animals that an area of land or water can support over time with enough food, water, shelter and space

community

the region occupied by a group of interacting organisms

E

ecosystem

a system formed by the interaction of a community of organisms with their physical environment

endangered animal

an animal that is in danger of becoming extinct. One of the reasons an animal might become extinct is if there is not enough habitat available to support all members of the population. When the habitat vanishes, and all members of the population die, then the species is considered extinct

extinct (extinction)

having no living members of the species or family anywhere on earth

G

game wildlife

animals which are normally hunted, fished, or trapped

H

habitat

any place on the earth that contains everything an animal needs to survive and reproduce, such as food, air, water, shelter, rainfall, temperature, soil type. Forests, deserts, oceans, and wetlands are different types of habitats

M

marsh

an environment where terrestrial and aquatic habitats overlap; a wetland containing fresh water and aquatic plants

N

niche

the job or role of an organism in its community. It includes such things as where and how it gathers food; its role in the food chain; what it gives and does for the community; its habits, periods of activity. Plants and animals have special roles in making natural communities work and stay healthy

non-game wildlife

animals which are not normally hunted, fished, or trapped. Idaho has 502 non-games species including songbirds, waterbirds, raptors, small mammals, reptiles and amphibians, and threatened and endangered wildlife

P

predator

an animal that lives by capturing, killing and eating other animals for food

prey

an animal that is killed and eaten by another animal

T

terrestrial habitat

an animal's address that is mainly on land

W

wetland

a marsh, or swamp, where the soil is near the surface and is covered with water. It can be home to certain types of wildlife