Biodiversity and Conservation Flashcards

Flashcards covering key terms and concepts from Week 1: Biodiversity and Conservation for BIOL 101.

Ecosystem Diversity

One of the three levels of biodiversity, referring to the variety of ecosystems present within a given region or across the globe.

Species Diversity

One of the three levels of biodiversity, representing the variety and abundance of different species present in a community.

Genetic Diversity

One of the three levels of biodiversity, referring to the variation of genes and alleles within a population or species.

Biological Magnification

The process where persistent toxins or pesticides accumulate at increasingly higher concentrations in organisms at higher trophic levels in a food chain.

Habitat Fragmentation

The breaking apart of continuous habitats into smaller, isolated patches, which affects population dynamics and species survival.

Movement Corridor

A strip of natural habitat connecting separated populations that helps reduce the negative effects of habitat fragmentation.

Biodiversity Hotspot

An area characterized by high levels of species richness/endemism and a high degree of threat or loss of natural habitat.

Ecological Restoration

A conservation strategy, such as replanting native mangroves in a damaged coastal ecosystem, intended to assist in the recovery and renewal of damaged or destroyed ecosystems.

In-situ Conservation

The conservation of ecosystems and natural habitats, and the maintenance and recovery of viable populations of species in their natural surroundings.

Ex-situ Conservation

The conservation of components of biological diversity outside their natural habitats, such as in zoos, seed banks, or captive breeding facilities.