Unit 4 - Conservation Biology

Biodiversity

variety of a biological system, typically conceived as the number of species, but also applying to genes, biochemistry, and ecosystems

Species richness

the number of species in a defined area/ community

Species evenness

relative abundance

Species diversity

measure that incorporates richness AND species evenness

Genetic diversity

defines the raw material (genes) for evolution and adaptation in a species

Chemical diversity

different species produce a variety of chemicals in their cells, both proteins as well as products and byproducts of metabolism

Ecosystem diversity

the number of different ecosystems on the planet or within a given geographic area

Endemic

species native to and found only in a specific geographic location

Phylogenetic diversity

a measure of biodiversity that incorporates information from the tree of life

Background extinction

normal extinction of various species as a result of changes in local environmental conditions

Biodiversity hotspot

geographical areas with exceptional concentrations of endemic species and high levels of habitat loss

Biomagnification

the increase in concentration of a substance in the tissues of organisms at successively higher levels in a food chain

Buffer zone

suboptimal habitat around a nature preserve that allows organisms to the boundaries of the preserve without immediate negative consequences from predation or natural resources

Bush meat

generic term used for wild animals killed for food

Carson, Rachel

author of "Silent Spring," which highlights the danger of pesticides to wildlife and humans

Chytridiomycosis

a disease of amphibians caused by the fungus Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis; thought to be a major cause of the global amphibian decline

Ecosystem services

direct and indirect benefits that humans derive from ecosystems

Endangered Species Act

legislation in the United States of America that require the development of plans to protect the listed species and bring them back to sustainable numbers

Exotic species

species that have been intentionally or unintentionally introduced into an ecosystem in which they did not evolve

Invasive species

exotic species that grows to a large population size and competes successfully with native species

Latitudinal diversity gradient

one of the strongest patterns in ecology, for most species there are more species at low latitudes (closer to equator) than high latitudes (closer to poles)

Mass extinction

a period in history with much higher rates of species loss compared to background extinction

Megafauna

large vertebrate animals

Myers, Norman

pioneered the study of biodiversity hotspots

Nature preserve

a protected area of importance for flora, fauna, or features of geological or other special interest

Pleistocene extinction

extinction period highlighted by disappearance of megafauna between 12,000-10,000 years ago

Regulating services

benefits from the regulation of ecosystem processes

Resilience

a measure of how quickly a community recovers from a disturbance

Secondary plant compounds

toxins used to protect the plant from insects and other animals that eat them, some of which are useful as medication

Species-area relationship

rate at which new species are seen when the area surveyed is increased

Supporting services

vital functions that are necessary for the production of all other ecosystem services

Tragedy of the commons

no individual has the incentive or ability to preserve a common, shared good that is free, so without collective effort, it is likely to be overused and perhaps ultimately destroyed

White-nose syndrome

a disease caused by a fungus introduced from Europe that infects and decimates cave-hibernating bats in Eastern North America

Wildlife corridors

connect small preserves so individuals and genes can move between preserves and make the smaller preserves act like one large preserve