F

fanglomerates— Sedimentary rocks of heterogeneous materials that were originally deposited in an alluvial fan and have since become cemented (by carbonates or silica) into solid rock.

farinose— Covered with a meal-like powder.

fascicle— A bundle of pine leaves or other needle-like leaves of gymnosperms.

fault— A fracture or a zone of fractures along which there has been displacement of the sides relative to one another.

fauna— An entire animal population.

feature— A group of objects whose positioning relative to each other is due to human activity.

fell-field— Habitats above treeline supporting only low-growing, commonly sparse vegetation.

felsenmeer— An expanse of large blocks of rock produced by block separation along joints and shattering by frost action at high altitudes.

femur— A segment of an arthropod leg between the coxa and the tibia. (See Fig. 7.3.)

filiform— Threadlike; long, slender, and tapering at both ends.

flexuous— Gently zigzagging.

fluorite— A transparent to translucent varicolored mineral, CaF₂ .

fluvial— Of or pertaining to rivers; produced by the action of a stream or river.

foehn— A warm, dry wind blowing down the side of a mountain.

foehn wall— The steep leeward boundary of clouds over a mountain range during foehn conditions; generally, the cap cloud and cloud fall considered together.

foliaceous— Leaflike, said especially of sepals or bracts that resemble leaves in texture or appearance.

forb— An herb or annual flowering plant, other than grass (e.g., small broad-leaved plants).

formation— A body of rock that is mappable and is continuous over a region.