Lecture 20 – Biodiversity and Conservation

A set of flashcards to help students review key concepts related to biodiversity and conservation.

Biodiversity

The sum of an area's organisms, considering diversity, genes, populations, and communities.

Biodiversity hotspots

Areas with high concentrations of endemic species, often experiencing rapid habitat loss.

Endemic species

Species restricted to a small region or isolated areas, resulting from unique habitat and climate features.

Evapotranspiration

A driver of biodiversity that includes solar energy and water availability.

Species area curve

A quantification of the idea that a larger geographic area has more species, all other factors being equal.

Theory of Island Biogeography

The theory that larger islands have more species due to a balance between colonization and extinction rates.

Immigration

The arrival of new species colonizing an island, which increases species richness.

Extinction

The disappearance of the last individual of a species from an island, which decreases species richness.

Island size

Larger islands have an increased probability of colonization and lower extinction rates leading to higher species richness.

Distance effect in biogeography

Islands closer to the mainland have increased colonization probability and lower extinction rates, thus higher species richness.

Extinction vortex

A combination of genetic, environmental, and demographic factors that increase the likelihood of extinction for small populations.

Background extinction rate

The rate of species loss in the absence of human activities, as indicated by the fossil record.

Mass extinctions

Rapid loss of large numbers of species, typically caused by significant catastrophic events.

Habitat loss

The destruction and degradation of habitats leading to species decline.

Pollution

The introduction of harmful substances into the environment, significantly affecting biodiversity.

Overexploitation

Unsustainable use of natural resources, often leading to populations decline.

Climate change

Irreversible changes in climate patterns, contributing to biodiversity loss.

Invasive species

Organisms introduced to new regions where they cause economic or environmental harm.

Fragmentation

The disruption of extensive habitats into small, isolated patches, leading to edge effects.

Predator and prey release

Invasive species can disrupt predator-prey dynamics, leading to decreased defenses in prey.

Bioaccumulation

The process by which toxin concentrations increase in living tissues through the food chain.

Nutrient enrichment

The addition of nutrients to ecosystems that can lead to eutrophication.

Ecosystem services

Quantifiable services provided by ecosystems that benefit humans, often economically.

Conservation biology

The scientific study of biodiversity with the aim of protecting species, habitats, and ecosystems.

Intrinsic value of biodiversity

The moral argument for preserving species for their own sake and for future generations.

Instrumental value of biodiversity

The functional roles species play in ecosystems that are beneficial to human beings.

Marine Mammal Protection Act

Legislation aimed at maintaining the health and stability of marine mammal populations.

Endangered Species Act of 1973

Prohibits taking any member of a population of an endangered animal species.

Critical habitat

Specific areas essential for the survival and recovery of endangered species.

Marine protected areas

Designated regions aimed at conserving marine environments and species.

Spillover

Benefits from marine reserves where fish move from protected areas to adjacent fished zones.

Seeding

Benefits from marine reserves where larvae spawning from adults in reserves subsidize adjacent fished zones.

Average species survival time

Typically between 1-10 million years, indicating the background extinction rate.

Anthropogenic influences

Human activities that result in significant impacts on natural habitats.