General Biology II: Conservation Biology & Biodiversity

A series of vocabulary flashcards covering key concepts from General Biology II related to conservation biology and biodiversity.

Biodiversity

A measure of both the number of species in a given area plus the species’ relative abundance to each other.

Genetic diversity

The variety of genes in a species, taxonomic group, or ecosystem.

Species

A group of organisms that can reproduce and produce fertile offspring.

Extinction

The disappearance of a species from Earth.

Speciation

The formation of two species from one original species.

Mass extinction

A period in which a significant percentage of all life forms on Earth become extinct in a relatively short period of time.

Biodiversity hotspots

Regions that contain high numbers of endemic species and increased habitat heterogeneity.

Habitat heterogeneity

The number of ecological niches present in an environment, which can support diverse species.

Invasive species

Introduced foreign species that can outcompete native species in a given niche, leading to extinction.

Climate change

Long-term alteration of temperature and typical weather patterns in a place, which can threaten biodiversity.

Human health benefits of biodiversity

Many plants produce secondary compounds that can be extracted for medicine; a high percentage of modern drugs have plant extracts.

Agricultural benefits of biodiversity

A diverse gene pool in crops can lead to larger sizes, adaptation to conditions, and pest resistance.

Wild food sources

Diverse fish species are critical food sources, but populations have been declining due to unsustainable practices.

Physiological value of biodiversity

Natural environments are linked with lower stress and greater psychological benefits for humans.

Endemic species

Species that are native to a given region and found nowhere else.

Ecological niche

Sum of an organism's habitat requirements, including access to light, food, and mates.