Conservation Biology exam Flashcards

The ongoing effort to preserve Earth's species, habitats, and ecosystems to maintain biodiversity.

The variety of life in the world or in a particular habitat or ecosystem, including genetic, species, and ecosystem diversity.

The total genetic information contained in the individuals of a species, including variation within and between populations.

A measure of both species richness (number of species) and relative abundance (numbers of different species) in a community.

Species that are unique to a specific geographic location and found nowhere else in the world.

A taxonomic method that uses genetic markers to determine if an organism belongs to a particular species.

Variation in ecosystems over the planet and between ecosystems in a region.

The ways in which humans benefit from ecosystems, including provisioning, regulating, cultural, and supporting services.

Biogeographic regions that are rich in biodiversity and threatened with destruction.

Species living outside their natural range due to human activity, either intentionally or accidentally.

Non-native species that spread in a new environment and compete with local flora and fauna.

The harvesting of a renewable resource to the point where there are diminishing returns.

When habitats are rendered unable to support the species that are currently present.

The process where a large, continuous habitat is divided into smaller, isolated sections.

Changes in population or community structures that occur at the boundary of two habitats.

The introduction of contaminants into the natural environment, surpassing the critical load of nutrients.

Long-term changes in the statistical distribution of weather patterns, contributing to global warming.

Widespread rapid decreases in Earth's biodiversity, with five major events in the past.

The ongoing sixth mass extinction, primarily due to human activity.

A downward spiral of smaller and smaller population size, leading to extinction.

The smallest population size that can exist without facing extinction.

The number of members of a population that contribute to the offspring of the next generation.

A relationship showing that larger areas tend to have more species.

The ability to maintain ecological processes, biodiversity, and productivity over time.

Long-term storage facilities for seeds to preserve genetic diversity of plants.

The preservation of endangered species outside their natural habitats, such as in zoos.

Pathways that connect fragmented habitats, allowing species to move and maintain genetic diversity.

The deliberate movement of species to a different habitat to help them survive.