hominoids

a primate grouping including five genera: gibbons, gorillas, orangutans, chimpanzees, and humans

hominids

bipedal primates

hunter-gatherers

occupation of early hominids; omnivores

domestic animal

one that has been bred in captivity for purposes of economic profit to a human community, with complete human control over its breeding, organization of territory, and food supply

dog

the first domestic animal; domesticated 12,000-14,000 years ago; originates from one or more species of wild canines

neoteny

a phenomenon in which animals retain juvenile features of their ancestors into adulthood

founder population

a small number of individuals from the wild population, which do not have the full diversity of the population, used to initiate the domestication process

environmental appreciation

the level of alertness, fear responses, and motor activity; aka "relying on wits"; waned in domestic animals

human-canine bond

one of the best things ever; applicable in human medicine in favorably influencing medical conditions such as loneliness and obesity

aurochs

aka the giant wild ox, a very successful species widespread throughout Eurasia from which modern breeds of cattle descend

Przewalski's horse

the last recorded wild horse in 1968, in Mongolia

ratite

flightless bird

qiviut

a high quality wool with potential as a luxury fiver; taken from musk oxen in the arctic tundra

chronic wasting disease (CWD)

an encephalopathy similar to mad cow disease found in some elk populations; a hindrance to elk farming

aquaculture

the farming of fish which is increasing rapidly in importance

microlivestock

small animals that would be useful for subsistence farmers in developing countries; have the advantages of low feed requirements, low space requirements, and inexpensive facilities and equipment, ease of handling and transport, and a small carcass which does not require refrigeration

game farming

growing native wild herbivores which may utilize forage more efficiently than do domestic species

biogas production

when manure is anaerobically digested and the methane is stored in tanks to be used as fuel; the resulting matter is rich in nitrogen and other nutrients and can be used as fertilizer

biotechnology

the use of living organisms or other biological systems in the manufacture of drugs or other environmental products

sustainable agriculture/alternative agriculture

environmentally friendly farming methods which preserve an ecological balance by avoiding depletion of natural resources

monoculture

the production and specialization of a single crop; results in high yield but a significant environmental impact

optimal resource utilization

using the same single resource to satisfy a wide variety of needs; eg. utilizing crop residues for feeding and bedding a cow, which produces milk, leather, meat, work, and manure

industrial agriculture

consolidation of farms into huge feedlots and confinement units

Heifer Project International (HPI)

a nongovernmental organization with a mission to alleviate poverty and hunger by giving people motivation and training and encouraging them to "pass on the gift" of animal offspring and education

second shift

a phrase given to describe the extra housework the traditional wife completes after finishing the day's work "at the office"