Conservation Biology and Island Biogeography

Vocabulary flashcards covering core conservation biology concepts, levels of biodiversity, island biogeography dynamics, and conservation strategies from the lecture notes.

Conservation Biology

A field of science that studies threats to biodiversity and develops solutions to protect, restore, and manage it.

Genetic Diversity

The variety of alleles within populations, which supports the other levels of biodiversity.

Species Richness

The number of different species present in an ecological area.

Species Evenness

The relative abundance of each species present.

Ecosystem Diversity

The variety of habitats and ecological communities.

Island Biogeography

The study of the factors that govern the biodiversity of species on islands, developed by ecologists Robert MacArthur and E.O. Wilson in the 1960s.

Equilibrium (Island Biogeography)

The balance point where the rate of immigration (arrival of new species) equals the rate of extinction.

Habitat Corridors

Connections built and maintained between isolated habitats to allow migration, recolonization, and gene flow.

Island A (Small & Far)

An island characterized by few reaching species, small populations, fewer resources, lower species richness, and a higher risk of local extinction.

Island D (Big & Close)

An island characterized by more species reaching it, more space, resources, and habitat types, larger populations, higher species richness, and lower risk of local extinction.

Endangered Species Act

A US law that protects listed species and the ecosystems upon which they depend.

CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora)

An international agreement that regulates cross-border trade in protected wildlife, plants, and their products.

Gene and Seed Bank

A conservation method where seeds, sperm, eggs, embryos, and cells are stored for future conservation efforts.

Captive Breeding

A practice where scientists, veterinarians, and animal-care specialists work together to breed endangered animals in human care.