A4.2 Conservation of biodiversity Notes

Biodiversity

The total variety of life on Earth, including all living organisms, ecosystems they inhabit, and genetic differences between populations.

Ecosystem Diversity

Refers to the variety of ecosystems within a region or globally, including their physical characteristics and supported organisms.

Species Diversity

The number and variety of species in a given ecosystem or the entire planet, encompassing species richness and species evenness.

Genetic Diversity

The variation of genes within and between populations of a species, crucial for survival and adaptability.

Ecosystem Services

Benefits provided by ecosystems that support life, such as climate regulation, water purification, and soil fertility.

Species Richness

The total number of different species in a given area.

Species Evenness

The relative abundance of individuals among different species in a given area.

Keystone Species

Species that have a disproportionately large effect on their environment relative to their abundance.

Pollination

The process by which pollen is transferred from the male anthers to the female stigmas of flowers, leading to fertilization.

Eutrophication

Nutrient enrichment of water bodies, often leading to excessive growth of algae and depletion of oxygen.

Invasive Species

Non-native species that, when introduced, outcompete or prey on native species, destabilizing ecosystems.

Climate Change

Long-term changes in temperature and weather patterns, primarily due to human activities.

Habitat Destruction

The conversion of natural environments into urban or agricultural areas, leading to loss of biodiversity.

Extinction Rate

The rate at which species become extinct, now estimated to be 100-1,000 times higher than natural background rates.

Biodiversity Hotspots

Regions with significant levels of plant endemism and experiencing habitat loss.

Anthropogenic Factors

Human-induced factors that contribute to biodiversity loss, such as pollution and urbanization.

Ecological Role

The role a species plays in its ecosystem, including its interactions with other species and its contribution to ecosystem functions.

Genetic Bottleneck

A sharp reduction in the size of a population, leading to decreased genetic diversity.

Biological Monitoring

The tracking of species and ecosystems to assess health and changes over time.

Conservation Biology

The science of protecting and managing biodiversity to prevent extinction and ecosystem loss.

Seed Banks

Facilities that store seeds to preserve genetic diversity for future use.

Captive Breeding

The breeding of endangered species in controlled environments to increase population size.

Ecotourism

Sustainable travel to natural areas that conserves the environment and improves the well-being of local people.

Ecosystem Restoration

Efforts to restore degraded ecosystems to a functional and biodiverse state.

Natural Selection

The process through which traits that enhance survival and reproduction become more common in a population.

Evolutionarily Distinct Species

Species that represent unique lineages with few or no close relatives.

EDGES Species

Species that are Evolutionarily Distinct and Globally Endangered, crucial for conservation prioritization.

Biodiversity Crisis

The accelerated loss of species, habitats, and genetic diversity characterized by high extinction rates.

Long-Term Monitoring

Ongoing observation of species populations and ecosystems to track changes and impacts.

Total Conversion

The complete change of an ecosystem to a different land use, such as transforming a forest into agricultural land.

Pollinators

Organisms that facilitate the process of pollination, essential for food production.

Habitat Fragmentation

The process by which large habitats are broken into smaller, isolated patches, affecting species' survival.