Conservation Biology and Global Change Vocabulary

A complete set of vocabulary flashcards covering key terms from Chapter 43 on Conservation Biology and Global Change, focusing on biodiversity threats, population dynamics, and rapid environmental changes caused by human actions.

conservation biology

The integrated study of ecology, evolutionary biology, physiology, molecular biology, and genetics to sustain biological diversity at all levels.

endangered species

A species that is in danger of extinction throughout all or a significant portion of its range.

threatened species

A species that is considered likely to become endangered in the foreseeable future.

ecosystem services

A function performed by an ecosystem that directly or indirectly benefits humans.

introduced species

A species moved by humans, either intentionally or accidentally, from its native location to a new geographic region; also called an invasive, exotic, or non-native species.

extinction vortex

A downward population spiral in which inbreeding and genetic drift combine to cause a small population to shrink and, unless the spiral is reversed, become extinct.

minimum viable population (MVP)

The smallest population size at which a species is able to sustain its numbers and survive.

effective population size

An estimate of the size of a population based on the numbers of females and males that successfully breed; generally smaller than the total population.

movement corridor

A series of small clumps or a narrow strip of quality habitat (usable by organisms) that connects otherwise isolated patches of quality habitat.

urban ecology

The field of study the examines organisms and their environment in urban settings.

biodiversity hot spot

A relatively small area with numerous endemic species and a large number of endangered and threatened species.

zoned reserve

An extensive region that includes areas relatively undisturbed by humans surrounded by areas that have been changed by human activity and are used for economic gain.

critical load

The amount of added nutrient, usually nitrogen or phosphorus, that can be absorbed by plants without damaging ecosystem integrity.

eutrophication

A process by which nutrients, particularly phosphorus and nitrogen, become highly concentrated in a body of water, leading to increased growth of organisms such as algae or cyanobacteria.

biological magnification

A process in which retained substances become more concentrated at each higher trophic level in a food chain.

microplastics

A plastic particle less than $5\,\text{mm}$ in size; microplastics have contaminated all of the world’s oceans as well as freshwater and terrestrial ecosystems.

climate change

A directional change in temperature, precipitation, or other aspect of the global climate that lasts for three decades or more.

greenhouse effect

The warming of Earth due to the atmospheric accumulation of carbon dioxide and certain other gases, which absorb reflected infrared radiation and reradiate some of it back toward Earth.

ecological footprint

The aggregate land and water area required by a person, city, or nation to produce all of the resources it consumes and to absorb all of the waste it generates.

sustainable development

Development that meets the needs of people today without limiting the ability of future generations to meet their needs.