Chapter 56: Conservation Biology and Global Change

conservation biology

a discipline that integrates ecology, physiology, molecular biology, genetics, and evolutionary biology to conserve Earth’s diversity of life

genetic diversity

the first level of biodiversity, comprised of both the individual genetic variation within a population, and genetic variation between populations

species diversity

the second level of biodiversity; the number of species in an ecosystem or across the biosphere

endangered species

species that is in danger of extinction throughout all or much of its range

threatened species

species that is likely to become endangered in the near future

ecosystem diversity

the third level of biodiversity that is comprised of the variety of ecosystems on Earth

biophilia

our human sense of connection to nature and all forms of life

ecosystem services

services that encompass all the processes through which natural ecosystems help sustain human life

habitat loss

threat to biodiversity that is the alteration or destruction of a habitat

introduced species

sometimes called ‘invasive species’, non-native, or exotic species, those that humans move intentionally or accidentally from the species’ native locations to new geographic regions

overharvesting

the harvesting of wild organisms at rates exceeding the ability of other populations to rebound; molecular genetics are used to track this

global change

alteration to the fabric of Earth’s ecosystems at regional to global scales

acid precipitation

rain, snow, or fog with a pH less than 5.2

extinction vortex

a self-reinforcing downward spiral that can lead a population toward extinction

minimum viable population (MVP)

the minimal population size at which a species is able to sustain its numbers

effective population size

the number of breeding individuals in a population

Ne = (4Nf * Nm) / Nf + Nm

Nf = # of successfully breeding females

Nm = # of successfully breeding males

habitat fragmentation

the division of a continuous habitat into smaller, isolated areas

movement corridor

a narrow strip of small clumps of habitat connecting otherwise isolated populations

biodiversity hot spot

a relatively small area with numerous endemic species and a large number of endangered and threatened species

zoned reserves

extensive regions that include areas relatively undisturbed by humans, but surrounded by areas that have been changed by human activity for economic gain

urban ecology

field that examines organisms and their environment in urban settings

critical load

the amount of added nutrient, usually nitrogen or phosphorus, that can be absorbed by plants without damaging ecosystem integrity

biological magnification

phenomenon in which accumulated toxins become more concentrated in successive trophic levels of a food web, which is dangerous

4 types of environmental toxins

industrial compounds/pesticides, pharmaceuticals, plastic waste, and greenhouse gases/climate change

microplastics

plastic particles less than 5 mm in size

climate change

a directional change to the global climate that lasts for three decades or more

greenhouse effect

the process in which gases in the atmosphere intercept and absorb Earth’s emitted infrared radiation, radiating it back to Earth, retaining some solar heat

CO2 sink

absorbing more CO2 than releasing to the atmosphere

CO2 source

releasing more CO2 than absorbing from the atmosphere

Paris agreement

international effort between all nations to take steps to reduce CO2 emissions

Montreal protocol

a treaty that regulates the use of ozone-depleting chemicals

sustainable development

economic development that meets the needs of people today without limiting the ability of future generations to meet their needs