V.  Managing the Forest Vocabulary



baron		

People with great wealth, power, and influence in a specified sphere of activity, for example, oil barons.



biologist 	

One who studies biology, the science of living organisms and life processes.



Chico Mendez	

A rubber tapper whose heroic demonstrations, with union support, were successful against cattle rancher's attempts to destroy the forest.  His murder by cattle ranchers made him a martyr and strengthened the conservation ethic of the Brazilian people.



clandestine	

Concealed or kept secret.



dung	

Solid animal waste.



ecosystem	

A community of interdependent organisms within a specific environment.  An ecosystem includes the atmosphere, the forest and plant cover, the animals, and the land and water in which the organisms grow.  Each part of the ecosystem is dependent on the others.



environment	

The physical features of the world around us.



extinction	

The process of an entire species dying out.



nutrients	

Nourishing ingredient in a food or soil.



population	

The total number of a certain species living in a particular area at a given time.



selective logging	

Only certain trees are removed, other trees are left standing.  The opposite of clear cutting.



"slash and burn"	

A farming method in which trees are felled and are used for houses and canoes.  Burning removes the under brush and enriches the soil for planting.



speculators		

Those who buy or sell a commodity, with an element of risk, on the chance of profit.



species	

A collection of plants or animals having certain common characteristics and the ability to interbreed and reproduce.







Third World	

Underdeveloped or developing countries.



tycoons		

Wealthy and powerful business people.