Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services

These flashcards cover key concepts related to biodiversity, ecosystem services, conservation efforts, and the impacts of human activity on the environment.

Species Right to Exist

The ethical principle that all species have an inherent right to exist in their natural habitats, regardless of their utility to humans.

Genetic Resources

The genetic materials found in plants and animals that can be used for agriculture and medicine, important for maintaining biodiversity.

Ecosystem Services

Natural processes provided by ecosystems that sustain human life, including air and water purification, nutrient cycling, and climate regulation.

Bioremediation

The use of living organisms to remove or neutralize contaminants from the environment.

Invasive Species

Non-native species that are introduced to a new geographic area, which can outcompete or prey on native species, leading to ecological damage.

Overharvesting

The practice of harvesting species at a rate that exceeds their ability to reproduce, leading to population decline.

Nutrient Cycling

The process through which nutrients are exchanged between organisms and the environment, crucial for ecosystem health.

Horseshoe Crab Blood

Blood from horseshoe crabs that contains a special substance able to detect bacteria, critical for ensuring sterility in medical practices.

Habitat Loss

The destruction or degradation of natural habitats, largely due to human activity, leading to loss of biodiversity.

Monoculture

The agricultural practice of growing a single crop species over a wide area, which increases vulnerability to diseases and pests.

Food Chain

A linear sequence showing how energy is transferred from one organism to another, typically starting with producers and moving through various consumers.

Food Web

A complex network of interconnected food chains within an ecosystem, illustrating the multiple feeding relationships among different species.

Producers (Autotrophs)

Organisms, primarily plants and algae, that produce their own food using light or chemical energy; they form the base of most food chains.

Consumers (Heterotrophs)

Organisms that obtain energy by feeding on other organisms. They are categorized into primary (herbivores), secondary (carnivores/omnivores), and tertiary consumers.

Decomposers

Organisms, such as bacteria and fungi, that break down dead organic matter and waste products, returning essential nutrients to the ecosystem for producers to reuse.