Topic 14: Conservation Biology

A set of flashcards focused on key terms and concepts in conservation biology.

Biodiversity

The variety of life in the world or in a particular habitat or ecosystem.

Genetic Diversity

The variety of genes within a particular species or population.

Species Diversity

The variety of species within a particular ecosystem.

Ecosystem Diversity

The variety of ecosystems within a given region.

Extirpation

The local extinction of a species in a specific area.

Extinction

The permanent loss of a species globally.

COSEWIC

Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada, tasked with assessing the status of species in Canada.

SARA

Species at Risk Act, legislation providing protection for threatened species.

Minimum Viable Population (MVP)

The smallest population size at which a species can sustain its numbers.

Effective Population Size (Ne)

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

Extinction Vortex

A downward spiral of population decline leading to extinction.

Overharvesting

The excessive removal of species from their habitats.

Habitat Loss

The destruction or alteration of the natural environment where species live.

Invasive Species

Non-native species that spread rapidly and cause harm to the native ecosystem.

Biophilia

The innate human affinity for nature and living things.

Ecosystem Services

The benefits provided by ecosystems that support life and human well-being.

Sustainable Development

Economic development that is conducted without depletion of natural resources.

Biodiversity Hot Spots

Regions with significant biodiversity that are under threat from human activities.

Conservation Biology

A discipline that aims to understand the factors, forces, and processes that influence the loss of biodiversity and to develop strategies to protect it.