Conservation Biology and Global Change – Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary flashcards summarizing fundamental terms from Chapter 43: Conservation Biology and Global Change.

Conservation biology

The integrated study of ecology, evolutionary biology, physiology, molecular biology, and genetics aimed at sustaining biological diversity at all levels.

Endangered species

A species that is in danger of extinction throughout all or a significant portion of its range.

Threatened species

A species considered likely to become endangered in the foreseeable future.

Ecosystem services

Functions performed by an ecosystem that directly or indirectly benefit humans.

Introduced species

A species moved by humans, intentionally or accidentally, to a new geographic region; also called non-native, exotic, or invasive species.

Extinction vortex

A downward population spiral where inbreeding and genetic drift cause a small population to shrink and, unless reversed, become extinct.

Minimum viable population (MVP)

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

Effective population size

An estimate of population size based on the numbers of breeding females and males; usually smaller than the total population.

Movement corridor

A series of small habitat clumps or a narrow strip of quality habitat that connects otherwise isolated habitat patches.

Urban ecology

The study of organisms and their environment in urban settings.

Biodiversity hot spot

A relatively small area with numerous endemic species and many endangered or threatened species.

Zoned reserve

An extensive region with areas relatively undisturbed by humans surrounded by lands used for economic gain.

Critical load

The amount of an added nutrient that plants can absorb without damaging ecosystem integrity.

Eutrophication

Nutrient enrichment (especially phosphorus and nitrogen) of a water body, leading to explosive growth of algae or cyanobacteria.

Biological magnification

The process by which retained substances become more concentrated at each higher trophic level in a food chain.

Microplastics

Plastic particles less than 5 mm in size that now contaminate oceans, freshwater, and terrestrial ecosystems worldwide.

Climate change

A long-term directional change in temperature, precipitation, or other aspects of the global climate lasting three decades or more.

Greenhouse effect

Warming of Earth caused by atmospheric accumulation of CO₂ and other gases that absorb and reradiate infrared radiation.

Ecological footprint

The total land and water area required by a person, city, or nation to produce the resources it consumes and absorb its wastes.

Sustainable development

Development that meets present needs without limiting the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.