Biodiversity and Conservation Key Concepts

A collection of key concepts and vocabulary related to biodiversity and conservation, designed to aid in study and review.

Biodiversity

The variety of life in a particular habitat or ecosystem.

Genetic Diversity

The total number of genetic characteristics in the genetic makeup of a species.

Species Diversity

The number of different species and the abundance of each species in a particular area.

Ecosystem Diversity

The variety of ecosystems in a given place.

Acropora cervicornis

A critically endangered coral species in the Caribbean, significant for its genetic diversity.

Species Richness

The number of different species represented in a given community.

Phylogenetic Diversity

A measure of biodiversity that reflects the evolutionary relationships among species.

Functional Diversity

The variety of roles that different species play in an ecosystem.

Ecological Resilience

The capacity of an ecosystem to respond to a disturbance by resisting damage and recovering quickly.

Facilitation

When one species helps create conditions for another species.

Provisioning Services

The products obtained from ecosystems, including food, fresh water, and medicines.

Supporting Services

Services that are necessary for the production of all other ecosystem services.

Cultural Services

Non-material benefits that people obtain from ecosystems, including aesthetic and recreational benefits.

Intrinsic Worth

The inherent value of an organism or species, regardless of its utility to humans.

Invasive Species

Non-native species that cause harm to the environment, economy, or human health.

Climate Change

Long-term alteration of temperature and typical weather patterns in a place.

Ethical Considerations in Conservation

Moral responsibilities to protect biodiversity and the environment for future generations.

Habitat Loss

The destruction or alteration of a habitat that reduces its capacity to support the species that live there.

Overexploitation

Harvesting a renewable resource to the point of diminishing returns.

Conservation Strategies

Techniques and methods used to preserve biodiversity, such as education campaigns and wildlife corridors.