Conservation Biology and Sustainable Development

These flashcards cover key vocabulary and concepts related to conservation biology and sustainable development, derived from the lecture notes.

Homo sapiens

Abundant vertebrate organisms that dominate the planet and influence the persistence of other species.

Biodiversity loss

The decline in the variety of life forms on Earth, which conservation efforts aim to reverse.

Ecological restoration

The practice of using human interventions to reverse damage or degradation to ecosystems.

Sustainable development

A framework that aims to balance human needs with those of nature, focusing on economic, social, and environmental well-being.

Three pillars of sustainability

Economic, social, and environmental dimensions that sustainable development seeks to balance.

Augmentation

The enhancement of an ecosystem by adding chemical, physical, or biological features.

Rehabilitation

The process of reinstating some ecosystem functioning on degraded sites where full restoration is not possible.

Reclamation

Returning land damaged by human activity, such as mining, to a beneficial state.

Remediation

Cleaning contaminants from polluted ecosystems to protect human and ecosystem health.

Reference condition

A benchmark ecosystem that is perceived to be in 'good shape' used for restoration purposes.

De-extinction

The idea of resurrecting extinct species using new technologies such as genetic cloning.

Pleistocene rewilding

A proposal to restore mammoths and other large grazers that once roamed extensive grasslands.

UN Sustainable Development Goals

A set of 17 global goals aimed at addressing various social and environmental challenges.

Environmental imperative

The need to respect environmental limits and operate within the planet's biophysical carrying capacity.

Social imperative

The need to propagate socially equitable value systems that uphold justice and inclusiveness.

Economic imperative

The necessity to meet basic human needs and ensure a standard of living for all.

Nature-positive future

A future where biodiversity is stabilized and ecosystems are restored to benefit both nature and humanity.

Ecological design

Planning that incorporates ecological principles into the design of areas like landscapes and urban spaces.

Biodiversity management

The practice of managing ecosystems and natural resources to preserve biodiversity.

Sustainable Agriculture

Farming practices that maintain economic viability while enhancing environmental quality.

Conservation biology

A field of study concerned with understanding and maintaining biodiversity.

Funding shortfall

The gap between the required investment and the actual funding available for achieving sustainable development goals.

Social Progress Index (SPI)

A measure assessing the quality of life in a society based on human needs, well-being, and opportunity.

Agroecosystems

Ecosystems that are directly related to agricultural practices.

Population dynamics

The study of how and why populations change over time.

Natural resource management

The management of natural resources such as land, water, and biodiversity.

Human impacts on nature

The effects that human activity has on natural ecosystems and biodiversity.