arid land vocab
fawning
act of giving birth; uniquely identified as fawning in several different species
supplemental water
additional water not provided naturally in the environment
yeomans plow
agricultural tool invented by Texan bill graeme and perfected by Australian p. a. yeoman's, whose intended to purpose is to improve water preservation on ridges
satellite animals
animals living on their own apart from any group or herd
non game species
animals not typically hunted for food , sport or other reasons
pronghorn antelope
antilopcarpa Americana; ungulates related to goats and antelope; native to vast areas of arid land
habitat
areas providing animals with food, water, cover, and space
free water
available water on open lands provided by natural means or human interaction
prescribed burns
burning native plants and landscapes in a controlled manner for the benefit of the local ecosystem
water harvesting
capturing water for use by native species or for other production means
apex carnivore
carnivore at the top of the food chain
spotlight surveys
counting animals on land with a spotlight
aerial surveys
counting animals with a fixed wing aircraft or helicopter, covering vast amounts of land compared to other survey methods
scat
fecal matter from animals
riparian habitat
habitat residing alongside a stream or river which may be dry at times and carry water at others
ungulates
hoofed animals which are most often herbaceous
non game monitoring
include a large variety of methods used for monitoring non game wildlife including bird surveys walking transects and track counts
browse
leaves tender shoots and other vegetation targeted for consumption by a wide variety of herbaceous animals; especially ungulates
gestation period
length of time between conception and fawning
forbs
non grass herbs or plants
herbaceous
non woody plants identifies as foliage by producers
mule deer
odocileus heminus; ungulates native to north america whom occupy arid regions
desert big horn sheep
ovis canadensis; ungulates native to north america whom occupy arid regions
photo point
permanent location from which photos are taken over a period of time to show gradual changes in the environment
succulents
plants living in arid conditions known for exceptional water holding capacity
mountain lions
puma concolor; carnivorous hunters closely related to domesticated house cats; are also known as pumas and panthers; known to prey on various animals, especially ungulates
trophy cascade
removal of predators in an environment leading to overpopulation and habitat devastation
pre-formed water
water available through plant consumption