Glossary

Question 1

AONB

Answer 1

Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty - area of countryside in England, Wales or Northern Ireland designated for conservation due to significant landscape value

Question 2

Calcareous (grassland)

Answer 2

Ecosystem associated with shallow, basic soils (principally calcium carbonate)

Formed by the weathering of chalk + other types of limestone

Characterised by vegetation dominated by grasses and herbs

Question 3

Coastal squeeze

Answer 3

Impact on coastal habitats trapped between a fixed landward boundary (such as a sea wall) and rising sea levels

Question 4

Demography

Answer 4

Statistical study of populations (mainly humans)

Question 5

Gravid

Answer 5

Carrying eggs or young - pregnant

Question 6

Harvest index

Answer 6

Pounds of grain (or any economically valuable portion) divided by the total pounds of above ground biomass

Question 7

Hyperspectral imaging

Answer 7

Combines spectroscopy with imaging capability

Collects and processes information across the electromagnetic spectrum to obtain the spectrum for each pixel in an image.

Allows for identification of objects + materials by analyzing their unique spectral signatures.

(Note that spectral imaging uses multiple bands across the EM spectrum ranging from 250nm to 15,000nm + thermal infrared)

Question 8

Interstitial

Answer 8

In this context: short lived plants that occupy a niche between other habitat dominating species

Question 9

Myxomatosis

Answer 9

Disease that affects rabbits, caused by myxoma virus. Infection usually fatal within a fortnight of contraction.

Question 10

National Nature Reserve (NNR)

Answer 10

Areas designated as key places for wildlife + natural features, often of national or international importance

Question 11

National Park

Answer 11

Park in use for conservation purposes, often a reserve of natural, semi-natural or developed land

Question 12

Oxisols

Answer 12

Order in USDA soil taxonomy.
Most highly weathered tropical + subtropical soils, formed in hot, humid climates that receive a lot of rainfall

Question 13

Perennial

Answer 13

Plant that lives for several years

Question 14

Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI)

Answer 14

Protected area in the UK selected for either biological or geological interest

Question 15

Subsistence

Answer 15

Action of maintaining or supporting oneself, especially at a minimal level

Question 16

Tiller

Answer 16

Stem produced by grasses, refers to all shoots that grow after the initial parent shoot

Question 17

Ultisol

Answer 17

Order in USDA soil taxonomy

Reddish, clay-rich, acidic soils that support mixed forest vegetation, found in humid temperate or tropical regions