Aquatic Biodiversity and Conservation

Vocabulary flashcards covering key concepts related to aquatic biodiversity, threats, conservation strategies, and management practices.

Aquatic Biodiversity

The variety of life in water environments including oceans, rivers, and wetlands.

HIPCCO

A mnemonic for major threats to aquatic biodiversity: Habitat loss, Invasive species, Population growth, Pollution, Climate change, Overexploitation.

Coral Reefs

Highly diverse underwater ecosystems characterized by reef-building corals.

Invasive Species

Non-native species that disrupt local ecosystems, often leading to extinctions.

Eutrophication

Nutrient overload in water bodies causing excessive growth of algae, which depletes oxygen.

Marine Protected Areas (MPAs)

Regions of the ocean dedicated to protecting marine ecosystems and biodiversity.

Trawl Fishing

A method of fishing involving dragging nets through the water, which can destroy habitats.

Maximum Sustained Yield (MSY)

The largest yield or catch that can be taken from a specific fish stock over an indefinite period.

Bycatch

Non-target species caught while fishing for a specific species, often resulting in waste.

Ocean Acidification

Decrease in pH levels in the ocean due to increased CO2, harming marine life.

Fisheries Management

The process of regulating and managing fish populations and their habitats.

Wetlands

Areas where water covers the soil or is present near the surface for part of the year.

Commercial Fishing

Fishing conducted for commercial profit, as opposed to subsistence or recreational purposes.

Overexploitation

Excessive use of resources, leading to depletion of species.

Fishing Down the Food Chain

A phenomenon where larger fish stocks are depleted, leading to increased fishing of smaller species.

Territorial Waters

The waters surrounding a nation, over which it has sovereignty.

Contiguous Zone

A maritime zone extending 12 nautical miles from a baseline, where a state can enforce laws.

Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ)

A sea zone over which a state has special rights regarding exploration and use of marine resources.

Zoning Laws

Regulations that dictate how land is used, including protecting wetlands.

Mitigation Banking

A conservation strategy requiring the restoration of wetland areas when others are destroyed.

Kissimmee River Restoration

A project aimed at restoring the natural flow of the Kissimmee River in Florida.

Biodiversity

The variety of life in a particular habitat or ecosystem.

Marine Stewardship Council (MSC)

An organization that certifies sustainable fishing practices.

Ecological Footprint

A measure of human demand on the Earth's ecosystems.

Community-based Integrated Coastal Management

A collaborative approach involving communities in the conservation of coastal environments.

Turtle Excluder Devices (TEDs)

Equipment used to allow sea turtles to escape from fishing nets.

Plastic Pollution

The accumulation of plastic products in the environment which adversely affects wildlife.

Phytoplankton

Tiny plants that float in the ocean and are vital to marine ecosystems as primary producers.

CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species)

An international agreement aimed at ensuring that international trade does not threaten species survival.

Marine Mammal Protection Act

U.S. legislation that protects marine mammals from being killed or harassed.

Ecological Benefits

Positive outcomes provided by ecosystems, such as clean air and water.

Sediment Pollution

The accumulation of sediments in aquatic environments often from upstream sources, affecting water quality.

Hydrological Cycle

The continuous movement of water within the Earth and atmosphere.

Coral Bleaching

A stress response in corals that causes them to expel algae, turning white and contributing to death.

Aquaculture

The cultivation of aquatic organisms in controlled environments for food production.

Biodiversity Hotspots

Regions that are both biologically rich and threatened by human activity.

Overfishing

Harvesting fish to the point that species are depleted and unable to reproduce.

Aquatic Ecosystems

Communities of living organisms in water environments interacting with their physical environment.

Restoration Ecology

The scientific study of restoring damaged ecosystems.

Government Subsidies

Financial assistance provided by the government to support a specific industry, which can lead to overfishing in this context.