1.
association: a group of organisms (plants and animals) that live together in a certain geographical region and constitute a community with a few dominant species
2.
biogeoclimatic zone: a region with a certain type of plant life, soil, geography, and climate
3.
biome: a major biotic community characterized by the dominant forms of plant life and the prevailing climate
4.
bract: a) thin flattened structure attached to the underside of a conifer cone scale (eg. 3-pointed bracts of douglas-fir)
b) leaf-like structure at the base of one or more flowers (large white bracts of pacific dogwood)
5.
bundle: in conifers, particularly pines, where 2 or more needles are attached at their bases in a "bundle". in contrast, the needles of most conifers are single at the point of attachment.
6.
Coastal Western Hemlock Zone (CWHZ): Alaska down coast of BC & Washington, Van isl. & QC isl. seal level to 900m elevation locally. rainiest of all zone. annual temp 8C. cool summers and mild winters w/ little seasonal drought. soils are acidic w/ moderate to heavy leeching. large proportion of humus. dominant tree species western hemlock and rec cedar.
7.
compound leaf: leaf with a blade divided into leaflets
8.
concept of site indicator species and zonal indicator species: site indicator species are dominant species in an area that has specific edaphic factors. zonal indicator species are commonly found in a certain biogeoclimatic zone which they indicate with their presence.
9.
cone scale: the flattened woody component of the conifer cone which bear the seeds. scales are arranged spirally around the central cone axis.
10.
describe differences btwn four plant associations described in the lab: xeric(salal association)-bracken fern, trailing blackberry, red huckleberry, salal
mesic(western sword fern assoc.)-indian plum, vine maple, red huckleberry, trailing blackberry, wild rose
hyrgic(salmonberry assoc.)-thimbleberry, broadleaf maple, red elderberry, salmonberry, deer fern,
hydric(skunk cabbage assoc.)-devil's club, oval-leafed blueberry, salmonberry, lady fern, western red cedar, skunk cabbage
11.
ecological significance of ericaceae family: they use ammonia form of nitrogen rather than nitrates.
12.
ecosystem: a system formed by the interaction of a community of organisms with their physical environment
13.
edaphic factors: related with physical and chemical composition of soil
14.
entire: smooth leaf edge, with no indentations
15.
ericaceae: heath family use ammonia form of nitrogen.
16.
frond: the leaf of a fern or palm, usually compound
17.
Generalized role of edaphic factor: modify effects of the climate. can be soil (depth) &/or topography. ie:
Arbutus
18.
How many biogeoclimatic zones are described in bc?: 14
19.
humus: substance or rich soil formed by decaying vegetable matter; CF. soil
20.
hydric: water source: permanent water table, slope position: depressions; receiving, drainage: very poor, humus: very deep
21.
hygric: water source: primarily seepage, slope position: lower; receiving, drainage:imperfect to poor, humus: deep to very deep
22.
indusium: specialized outgrowth of fern leaf that covers sori
23.
lobed: very deep indentations in a leaf margin
24.
mesic: water source: precipitation and limited seepage, slope position: mid-slope, rolling to level, drainage: well to moderately well, humus: moderately deep
25.
nitrogen fixation: process of converting nitrogen gas into ammonia
26.
nitrophilous: flourishing in or preferring locations with abundant nitrogen
27.
palmate venation: a type of leaf venation in which the principal veins branch out, like fingers on a hand, from the apex of the petiole
28.
petiole: the leaf stalk
29.
pinnae: "leaflets" on a frond
30.
pinnules: subdivisions of pinnae
31.
pioneer species: first species to populate an area during primary succession
32.
serrated: "sawtooth", forward pointing indentations on a leaf margin
33.
shade tolerance/intolerance: shade intolerant plants grow earlier in succession because they have access to sunlight. shade tolerant plants grow in climax communities because they are able to grow in the shade of the shade intolerant trees and eventually take over the area.
34.
simple leaf: leaf in which the blade is not divided into leaflets
35.
stipe: ferm stem or supporting stalk
36.
taxonomic key: A series of paired statements that describe the physical characteristics of different organisms
37.
taxonomy: practice of classifying plants and animals according to their presumed natural relationships
38.
topography: the configuration of a surface and the relations among its man-made and natural features
39.
venation: patterns of veins in a leaf
40.
xeric: water source:precipitation, slope position: ridges, crests, upper slopes, drainage: rapid, humus: very shallow
