Monetary or other payment received by a party as recompense or reparation for the taking of property under the powers of eminent domain or condemnation. From the takings clause of the Fifth Amendment to the United States Constitution, just compensation is often determined by the fair market value of a property. Other methods of determining fair compensation for property that has been taken through government proceedings include negotiation between the owner and the government or by court action.

The activities, operations, or purposes that are employed in a particualr geographic area; the specific manner in which a parcel or tract of land is utilized. Land use is usually regulated by municipal governments through zoning ordinances, although some land uses are regulated by state or federal governments.

A symbiotic relationship between fungi and algae; fungi provide the structure, algae supply food through photosynthesis

A landscaped public area set aside for pedestrian traffic.

A comprehensive plan to guide the long-term physical development of a particular area based on identified objectives, strategies, and timelines for implementation. Includes plans for land use, housing, community facilities and utlities, transportation of goods and people, and energy use and conservation. Zoning ordinances and policies are developed for different areas or zoning districts based on the master plan.

US federal agency that can assist land owners solve their natural resource challenges and maintain and improve their economic viability.

The geographical range and habitat a species can or does occupy, and the ecological (functional) role it can or does fulfill in the ecosystem; “what an animal/plant does for a living”

Formerly the Soil Conservation Service (SCS) a US federal agency that can land owners solve their natural resource challenges and maintain and improve their economic viability.

Certain portions of the landscape which have not been built upon and which are sought either to be conserved in their natural states or used for agricultural or recreational purposes (such as parks, squares, and the like).

1. A unit of length or area equal to one linear rod or one square rod, commonly used in land surveys. The terms, rod, pole, and perch are equivalent and may be used interchangeably, although "rod" is the most common. One (1) pole is equal to 25 links, 16.5 feet, or 1/4 (0.25) chain. For conversions and examples, see Rod, pole, or perch equivalents and conversions and the various Converting rods, poles, or perches to... entries.
2. A roundwood product used primarily for structural support. Tree species used for poles are selected for resistance to weather, wear, and mechanical stress and include lodgepole pine, Douglas-fir, western hemlock, and a variety of southern pines.
3. Term applied to trees that have too small a diameter to be considered sawlogs, but are useful as structural supports, flagpoles, etc.
4. The end of an axis, as in poles of the earth or of cellular mitotic spindles in plants and animals.
5. Either of two opposing parts, forces, or situations, as in magnets, batteries, or opinions.

A pattern of regular or semi-regular occurrences or processes that characterizes and governs a natural system, as in precipitation regime, fire regime, disturbance regime, etc.

The outcome of an experiment conducted using the scientific method. This observed result is compared to the expected result according to the research hypothesis, and a conclusion is made about whether the results support or contradict the hypothesis.

1. The series of rational steps that leads to the proof (or disproof) of a scientific or research hypothesis. The steps are observation, which leads to the formulation of a hypothesis through abductive reasoning, followed by tests or experiments to determine the validity of the hypothesis (deductive reasoning). The observed result of the experiment is compared to the expected result, and a conclusion is made supporting or contradicting the hypothesis. 2. The scientific method is the process by which scientific facts are discovered, proven, or learned.

A contiguous group of trees that are similar enough in species composition, age class distribution, and site productivity or characteristics that it can be considered a single unit, regardless of size.

A steady flow or current of water on the earth, such as a river, creek or brook.

The orderly progression of community change; the sequence of communities that replace one another in a given area culminating in a climax community.

Idea that resources should be developed and used to meet the needs of the present generation in a way that does not compromise the ability of future generations to satisfy their needs.

See "Alternative agriculture"

See "Alternative agriculture"

1. Live trees of merchantable species and sufficient size that they can be profitably harvested and sold. Timber is then milled and made into lumber and other wood products. 2. Forest land covered by trees of suitable size, kind, and quality to be of commercial value.

Term that refers to older ponderosa pines (generally 120 years +) that display yellow-orange bark