Conservation Biology Chapter 5

Flashcards related to climate change and other threats to biodiversity. Each flashcard contains a vocabulary term and a corresponding definition.

Greenhouse Gases

Gases that trap energy radiating from Earth's surface as heat, slowing the rate at which heat leaves Earth.

Greenhouse Effect

The warming effect of Earth's atmospheric gases, functioning like the glass in a greenhouse.

IPCC (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change)

An intergovernmental panel organized by the United Nations in 1988 to address climate change.

Ocean Acidification

The process by which the ocean's pH decreases due to the absorption of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.

Coral Bleaching

The expulsion of symbiotic algae (Zooxanthellae) from corals due to high temperatures, leading to coral's unhealthy condition.

Invasive Species

Species that establish and proliferate in new ranges, causing environmental harm.

Mechanical culling

Removing weeds by hand, or trapping/shooting animals to control invasive species.

Biological control

Using one organism to control another, often used for invasive species.

DNA barcoding

A method by which species can be identified using a designated section of a gene or genes.

Maximum sustainable yield

The greatest amount of a resource that can be harvested per year and replicated next year through population growth without detriment to the population.

GMO (Genetically Modified Organism)

Organisms that have added genes from a different source species using recombinant DNA technology.

Integrated pest management

A combination of strategies to control and eliminate invasives, such as pesticides, mechanical culling and biological control.