Biodiversity and Conservation Flashcards

Flashcards about Biodiversity and Conservation, covering topics such as biodiversity levels, species-area relationships, threats to biodiversity, and conservation strategies.

Biodiversity

The term popularized by sociobiologist Edward Wilson to describe the combined diversity at all levels of biological organization.

Genetic Diversity

Diversity within a single species, such as the variation in potency and concentration of active chemicals in the medicinal plant Rauvolfia vomitoria or the different strains of rice.

Species Diversity

Diversity at the species level, such as the greater number of amphibian species in the Western Ghats compared to the Eastern Ghats.

Ecological Diversity

Diversity at the ecosystem level, such as the variety of ecosystems in India (deserts, rainforests, mangroves, coral reefs, etc.) compared to a Scandinavian country like Norway.

Robert May

Scientist who estimated global species diversity at about 7 million.

Latitudinal Gradient

In general, species diversity decreases as we move away from the equator towards the poles.

Species-Area Relationship

The relationship suggesting that within a region, species richness increases with increasing explored area, but only up to a limit.

Species Area Relationship Equation

The equation describing the species-area relationship: log S = log C + Z log A, where S is species richness, C is the y-intercept, Z is the slope of the line (regression coefficient), and A is area.

Paul Ehrlich

Scientist who proposed the rivet popper hypothesis, comparing species in an ecosystem to rivets in an airplane.

Rivet Popper Hypothesis

The hypothesis comparing species in an ecosystem to rivets in an airplane, suggesting that the loss of even a single species (rivet) can eventually lead to ecosystem collapse.

Keystone Species

A species whose presence is essential for maintaining the structure and function of an ecosystem.

Habitat Loss and Fragmentation

The main driver of animal and plant extinctions, involving the destruction and fragmentation of natural habitats.

Overexploitation

Exploiting natural resources to the point of diminishing returns, can lead to the endangering or extinction of species.

Alien Species Invasion

The introduction of non-native species that can outcompete and displace indigenous species, leading to biodiversity loss.

Co-extinction

The extinction of one species leading to the extinction of other species that are dependent on it, such as the extinction of a host leading to the extinction of its parasites.

Bioprospecting

Exploring molecular, genetic, and species-level diversity for products of economic importance.

Endemic Species

Species confined to a specific region and not found anywhere else.

In Situ Conservation

Protecting endangered species in their natural habitat, conserving the entire ecosystem.

Ex Situ Conservation

Protecting threatened animals and plants outside their natural habitat in specialized settings.

Biodiversity Hotspots

Hotspots are regions with high levels of species richness and high levels of endemism.