Conservation Biology Overview

Flashcards on key concepts and vocabulary related to conservation biology.

Effective Population Size (NE)

The number of individuals in a population that contribute offspring to the next generation, adjusted for factors like sex ratio.

Minimum Viable Population (MVP)

The smallest isolated population having a 99% chance of remaining extant for 1,000 years despite foreseeable threats.

Temperature Dependent Sex Determination

A phenomenon where the sex of an organism is determined by the temperature at which it develops during a critical period.

Demographic Stochasticity

Random variations in birth and death rates that can significantly affect small populations.

In Situ Conservation

Conservation strategies that focus on preserving species in their natural habitat without direct intervention.

Ex Situ Conservation

Conservation efforts that involve the removal of a species from its natural habitat to a controlled environment for breeding or rehabilitation.

Trophic Cascade

A process where changes in one species, especially predators, can lead to widespread changes in an ecosystem.

Cooperative Breeding

A breeding system in which multiple individuals contribute to the care of offspring, often seen in social species.

Population Viability Analysis (PVA)

A modeling tool used to predict the likelihood that a population will persist over time under varying environmental conditions.

Genetic Drift

Random changes in the frequency of alleles in a population, particularly significant in small populations.

Restoration Program

Conservation strategies aimed at restoring a previously existing population in its historical habitat.

Assisted Migration

A conservation strategy involving the relocation of a species to a more favorable habitat that it hasn't previously occupied.

Endangered Species Act (ESA)

A U.S. law aimed at protecting critically endangered species from extinction.

Founder Effect

A genetic phenomenon that occurs when a few individuals become isolated from a larger population, leading to reduced genetic diversity.

Bottleneck Effect

A sharp reduction in the size of a population due to environmental events or human activities, resulting in reduced genetic diversity.

Hybridization

The process of breeding between two different species or populations, which can affect genetic diversity.