Biodiversity and Sustainable Development

Flashcards covering key vocabulary and concepts related to biodiversity and sustainable development.

Biodiversity

The variety of life in the world, encompassing different species, ecosystems, and genetic variation among living organisms.

Ecosystem Services

The benefits humans obtain from ecosystems, including provisioning, regulating, cultural, and supporting services.

In-situ Conservation

The conservation of species in their natural habitat, allowing them to interact with their physical and biological environments.

Ex-situ Conservation

The conservation of species outside their natural habitat, such as in zoos or botanical gardens.

Species Diversity

The number and variety of species present in a particular environment.

Genetic Diversity

The total number of genetic characteristics in the genetic makeup of a species.

Ecosystem Diversity

The variety of ecosystems in a given place, encompassing aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems.

Earth Summit

A major conference held in 1992 in Rio de Janeiro aimed at addressing sustainable development and environmental issues.

Sustainable Development

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

Biodiversity Degradation

The decline in the variety and abundance of life in an ecosystem due to human activities and natural calamities.

Floral Diversity

The variety of plant species in a given area.

Faunal Diversity

The variety of animal species in a given area.

Global Warming

The long-term heating of Earth’s climate system due to human activities, primarily fossil fuel burning, which increases heat-trapping greenhouse gas levels in Earth's atmosphere.

Climate Change

Significant changes in global temperatures and weather patterns over time, influenced by factors such as global warming.

Conservation Measures

Strategies and actions aimed at preserving and protecting biodiversity and natural habitats.

Pollution

The introduction of harmful substances or products into the environment, leading to adverse effects on ecosystems.