SpATS – Glossary of Terms

Scientific research often involves many technical terms specific to a type of research going on. To help you better understand SpATS, here are definitions some of the terms used in the study:

Biome

A geographical region containing a specific type of ecological environment. An example is a desert biome, which contains a desert environment. In the SpATS studies, there are generally two types of biomes— Parkland and Prairie. Parkland biomes are lightly wooded grasslands. Prairie biomes are typically open grasslands.

Chemical Fallow

A type of summer fallow that involves using herbicides, or a combination of herbicides and late tillage, on a fallow field.

Field Candling

A technique used by researches to determine the age of an egg. It involves placing an egg against the end of a small plastic tube and holding it up to the light, which allows researchers to see inside and determine how near the egg is to hatching.

Focal Quarter

A quarter-section of land (equal to 0.65 km²) where research is taking place. Typically, research takes place on eight quarter-sections of land in each study area. These are called focal quarters.

Forbs

Non-woody plants other than grasses.

Geographic Information System (GIS)

A computer-based system that allows researchers to perform complex spatial analyses. These systems generate maps that show different layers and types of information.

For example, a SpATS map generated by a GIS might show a study area with all the information gathered on where nests are located, where certain types of wetlands or uplands are found, breeding pair locations, etc.

This allows scientists to determine the relationships between different factors on the land. For SpATS, they are trying to find out how the spatial arrangement of certain habitat types relates to breeding and nesting success of waterfowl.

Plant/Vegetative Cover

The amount of cover and shelter that plants and vegetation provide for waterfowl. Waterfowl hens lay their nests in cover, which keeps them and their eggs hidden from predators. It’s an important factor in how certain types of habitat will affect waterfowl nesting success. In SpATS, plant/vegetative cover are measured for the type of plants and how high they are.

Pothole

A ‘pothole’ is a type of wetland. They vary in size from large wetlands that hold water year-round to small ponds that are wet for only a few weeks annually. These wetlands are common in the Prairie provinces, earning the region the name ‘Prairie Pothole Region’. This is an extremely important area, as the pothole wetlands are key breeding habitat for waterfowl.

Prairie Habitat Joint Venture (PHJV)

A component of the North American Waterfowl Management Plan that focuses on conserving habitat in the Prairie Pothole Region of south-central Canada. More information on the PHJV Assessment is available on this Web site.

Stewart and Kantrud Wetland Classification System

A method of classifying types of wetlands. It involves observing and recording plant cover type and permanency (i.e., whether it will typically hold water throughout the year or just for a few weeks each spring). This method is based on one used by R.E. Stewart and H.A. Kantrud in their 1971 study.

Summer Fallow

An agricultural technique where a crop or field is left unplanted for a year. This may help to manage weeds and nutrients, and save moisture for the following crop year.

Tillage-fallow

A type of fallow where the field being left unplanted is plowed or tilled.

Uplands

The land and habitat located around a wetland. This can include grasslands, shrubs, forest, etc. Ecologically, uplands and wetlands are both important, and they function together.

Disclaimer:

SpATS data presented on this Web site cannot be used without written permission from the authors.