ALPECOLE
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ALPECOLe: Glossary

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habitat
The environment in which an organism lives. Habitat can also refer to both the organisms and physical environment in a particular place.
 
hemisphere
One half of a sphere or globe. On Earth the northern hemisphere is divided from the southern hemisphere by the equator.
 
herbivory
Eating of grasses and forbs (herbs)
 
heterostyly
The coexistence of genetically controlled hermaphrodite flowers with different style lengths, and usually with reciprocal anther positions.
 
hibernation
The dormant, sleeplike state, with a lower body temperature and slower heart and breathing rate that is characteristic of various animals during the winter months in cold climates. Before going into hibernation, animals will store fat in their bodies. Hibernators do arouse from hibernation periodically, but usually stay in their hibernation chamber or nest.
 
hogback
A narrow ridge, underlain and controlled by a resistant bed dipping at some 40 degrees or more
 
Holocene
About the last 11'000 years. In general, the Holocene is the relatively warm period after the last ice age.
 
home range
The area in which an animal or group spends the majority of its time
 
hot spot
An area with an unusual concentration of species, many of which are endemic to the area
 
hotspot
A center of attraction or richness (e.g. in species)
 
humic
Rich in humus (dark) and often associated with low pH
 
hybridise
Genetic crossing commonly related species of the same genus
 
hydrosphere
The envelope of gaseous, liquid, and solid water on the earth, including oceans, lakes, groundwater, ice and snow, and water vapor
 

 

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29 August 2011
© ALPECOLe 2002-2007