VOCABULARY - W
Water Cycle - the continuous circulation of water from the atmosphere to the earth, including the ocean, and back to the atmosphere through condensation, precipitation, evaporation, and transpiration.
Water Table - upper surface of the groundwater.
Watershed - area of land where precipitation is absorbed into the soil as ground water. Watersheds are separated by natural divisions or geologic forms.
Wilderness - an area of undeveloped land that has been affected primarily by the forces of nature, with the imprints of humans work largely unnoticeable.
Wildfire - a fire that burns uncontrollably in a natural setting (e.g., a forest, or grassland).
Wildlife Biologist - a person who researches wildlife and their habitats and takes action to improve those habitats.
Windthrow - trees uprooted by excessive wind. Shallow-rooted trees (i.e. white pine and birch) are almost always affected.
Winged - a type of fruit that has flat edges so that it can be carried by the wind.
Wood-based Industry - an industry focusing on timber production, primary and secondary wood processing, and reconstituted wood products production.
Wood Utilization - manufacture of raw materials into saleable goods with as little waste of the resource as possible.