Conservation and Biodiversity - Vocabulary Flashcards

Vocabulary-style flashcards covering key concepts from the lecture notes on conservation, biodiversity, and human impacts.

Mass extinction

A rapid, large-scale loss of many species in a short geological time due to extraordinary environmental change.

Background extinction

Extinctions that occur at a relatively steady, low rate outside mass extinction events.

Biodiversity

The variety of life in all its forms, levels, and combinations—genetic variability, species diversity, and ecosystem diversity.

Biodiversity hotspots

Regions with high species richness that cover <1% of the land but contain ≥20% of the world’s species (e.g., tropical forests, coral reefs, Madagascar).

Latitudinal biodiversity gradient

Pattern in which biodiversity is highest near the equator and decreases toward the poles.

Ecosystem

A community of organisms and its physical environment interacting as a system.

Species

A group of interbreeding organisms that produce fertile offspring; a basic unit of biodiversity.

Genes and alleles

Genetic variation within a species, including different versions of genes (alleles) that contribute to diversity.

Pioneer species

First colonizers of a barren or disturbed area; typically good dispersers but poor competitors.

Succession

The gradual change in species composition of a community over time.

Primary succession

Succession that begins in an area without soil or life after a disturbance.

Secondary succession

Succession that follows a disturbance in which soil and some organisms remain.

Colonizing community

First arrivals to a lifeless area; they disperse quickly but are poor competitors.

Intermediate communities

Diverse mix of species including colonizers and competitors; occurs after initial stages.

Climax community

Stable, long-lasting community where large, mature species persist and outcompete early colonizers.

Disturbance

An event that disrupts an ecosystem; intermediate disturbance can maximize species richness.

Deforestation

Removal of forests, contributing to biodiversity loss and altered ecosystem services.

Habitat fragmentation

Breaking up of continuous habitat into smaller, isolated patches, reducing connectivity and diversity.

Overexploitation

Harvesting or using a species faster than it can recover, threatening populations.

Introduced species

Species released by humans into a new region where they are not native, often impacting natives.

Invasive species

Non-native species that causes economic, environmental, or health problems in a new area.

Kudzu

An introduced plant species used as an example of how non-native plants can overwhelm ecosystems.

Nile perch

An introduced fish species that reshaped ecosystems in invaded habitats.

Zebra mussels

An invasive mollusk species that disrupts native aquatic communities.

Ocean warming

Increase in ocean temperatures due to climate change, threatening corals and marine life.

Coral reef bleaching

Stress response in corals caused by warming oceans, leading to loss of symbiotic algae and color.

Dead zones

Oxygen-depleted areas in oceans caused by nutrient runoff and pollution.

Mangrove loss

Significant loss of mangrove forests, reducing coastal protection and biodiversity.

Overfished

A status where fishing pressure exceeds a population’s capacity to recover (e.g., 29% of marine fisheries).

Marine protected area (MPA)

Sea areas protected to conserve biodiversity and resources; expanded protection can yield economic benefits.

DDT biomagnification

Accumulation of pollutants up the food chain, resulting in higher concentrations in top predators.

Mercury in fish

Concentration of mercury in fish tissues, posing health risks to humans who consume them.

Acid rain

Precipitation containing sulfuric and nitric acids formed from burning fossil fuels.

Greenhouse gases

Gases such as CO2 and methane that trap heat in the atmosphere, driving global warming.

Global climate change

Long-term shifts in temperature and weather patterns caused by natural and human factors.

Conservation biology

Multidisciplinary field focused on preserving biodiversity and managing natural resources.