NRS Exam 1

0.0(0)
learnLearn
examPractice Test
spaced repetitionSpaced Repetition
heart puzzleMatch
flashcardsFlashcards
Card Sorting

1/107

flashcard set

Earn XP

Description and Tags

NRS Chapter 1-4 Terms

Study Analytics
Name
Mastery
Learn
Test
Matching
Spaced

No study sessions yet.

108 Terms

1
New cards
Biological Diversity
The complete range of species, biological communities, and their ecosystem interactions and genetic variation within species. Also known as biological diversity.
2
New cards
Biodiversity
The complete range of species, biological communities, and their ecosystem interactions and genetic variation within species. Also known as biological diversity.
3
New cards
Normative Discipline
A discipline that embraces ethical commitment rather than ethical neutrality
4
New cards
Environmentalism
A widespread movement, characterized by political activism, with the goal of protecting the natural environment.
5
New cards
Preservationist Ethic
A belief in the need to preserve wilderness areas for their intrinsic value
6
New cards
Resource Conservation Ethic
Natural resources should be used for the greatest good of the largest number of people for the longest time.
7
New cards
Sustainable development
Economic development that meets present and future human needs without damaging the environment and biodiversity.
8
New cards
Land ethic
Aldo Leopold’s philosophy advocating human use of natural resources that is compatible with or even enhances ecosystem health.
9
New cards
Ecosystem management
Large-scale management that often involves multiple stakeholders, the primary goal of which is the preservation of ecosystem components and processes.
10
New cards
Biophilia
The postulated predisposition in humans to feel an affinity for the diversity of the living world.
11
New cards
Conservation Biology
Scientific discipline that draws on diverse fields to carry out research on biodiversity, identify threats to biodiversity, and play an active role in the preservation of biodiversity.
12
New cards
Population
A geographically defined group of individuals of the same species that mate and otherwise interact with eachother.
13
New cards
Ecosystem
A biological community together with its associated physical and chemical environment.
14
New cards
Community
An assemblage of interacting populations of different species living in a particular area.
15
New cards
Species diversity
The entire range of species found in a particular place
16
New cards
Genetic Diversity
The range of genetic variation found within a species
17
New cards
Ecosystem diversity
The variety of ecosystems present in a place or geographic area
18
New cards
Morphospecies
Individuals that are probably a distinct species based on their appearance but that do not currently have a scientific name
19
New cards
Morphological definition of species
A group of individuals, recognized as a species, that is morphologically, physiologically, or biochemically distinct from other groups (compare w/ biological definition of species)
20
New cards
Taxonomists
Scientists involved in the identification and classification of species
21
New cards
Biological definition of species
Among biologists, the most generally used of several definitions of “species”. A group of individuals that can potentially breed among themselves in the wild and that do not breed with individuals of other groups(Compare w/ morphological definition of species)
22
New cards
Hybridize
Interbreeding between different species
23
New cards
Evolutionary definition of species
A group of individuals that share unique similarities of their DNA and hence their evolutionary past
24
New cards
Binomial
The unique two-part Latin name taxonomists bestow on a species, such as Canis lupus (Gray Wolf) or Homo sapiens (Humans)
25
New cards
Cryptic species
Two or more species that have similar appearance but that are genetically distinct
26
New cards
Hybrids
Intermediate offspring resulting from mating between individuals of two different species
27
New cards
Functional diversity
The diversity of organisms categorized by their ecological roles or traits rather than their taxonomy
28
New cards
Species richness
The number of species found in a community
29
New cards
Alpha diversity
The number of different species in a community or specific location; species richness
30
New cards
Gamma diversity
The number of species in a large geographic area
31
New cards
Beta diversity
Rate of change of species composition along a gradient or transect (Divide gamma diversity by alpha diversity)
32
New cards
Shannon diversity index
A species diversity index that takes into account the numbers of different species and their relative abundance
33
New cards
Alleles
Different forms of the same gene
34
New cards
Locus
DNA sequences on a chromosome that code for specific proteins (also called loci)
35
New cards
Mutations
Changes that occur in genes and chromosomes, sometimes resulting in new allele forms and genetic variation
36
New cards
Transposable element
Segment of DNA capable of changing its location on a chromosome, sometimes resulting in a different trait appearing
37
New cards
Recombination
Mixing of the genes on the two copies of a chromosome that occurs during meiosis
38
New cards
Gene pool
The total array of genes and alleles in a population
39
New cards
Genotype
Particular combination of alleles that an individual possesses.
40
New cards
Phenotype
The morphological, physiological, anatomical, and biochemical characteristics of an individual that result from the expression of its genotype in a particular environment.
41
New cards
Biogeographic Barrier
Factors in an environment that prevent the exchange of species among regions
42
New cards
Polymorphic genes
Within a population, genes that have more than one form or allele
43
New cards
Heterozygous
Condition of an individual having two different allele forms of the same gene
44
New cards
Homozygous
Condition of an individual having two identical allele forms of the same gene
45
New cards
Genetic Structure
Patterns of genotypes within and among populations
46
New cards
Environmental DNA (eDNA)
DNA shed into the environment by organisms and that is detected with genetic techniques.
47
New cards
Biological Community
A group of species that occupies a particular locality
48
New cards
Biota
A region’s plants and animals
49
New cards
Habitat
The location or type of environment in which a specific animal or plant species lives
50
New cards
Limiting resource
Any requirement for existence whose presence or absence limits a population’s size (Ex. water in a desert)
51
New cards
Competition
A contest between individuals or groups of animals for resources. Occurs when individuals or a species use a limiting resource in a way that prevents others from using it
52
New cards
Predation
Act of killing and consuming another organism for food
53
New cards
Predators
An animal species that consumes other animals to survive. Also called a secondary consumer or predator. (*Compare with* primary consumers)
54
New cards
Prey
An animal that is eaten as food by another species.
55
New cards
Herbivory
Predation on plants
56
New cards
Carrying capacity
The number of individuals or biomass of a species that an ecosystem can support
57
New cards
Mutualism
When two species benefit each other by their relationship
58
New cards
Symbiotic
A mutualistic relationship in which neither of the two species involved can survive without the other
59
New cards
Trophic levels
Levels of biological communities representing ways in which energy is captured and moved through the ecosystem by the various types of species.Organisms such as green plants, algae, and seaweeds that obtain their energy directly from the sun via photosynthesis. Also known as autotrophs.A species that eats plants or other photosynthetic organisms. Also called a primary consumer.An animal species that consumes other animals to survive. Also called a secondary consumer or predator. *Compare with* primary consumers.A species that feeds or grows on dead plant and animal material. Also called a detritivore
60
New cards
Primary producers
Organisms such as green plants, algae, and seaweeds that obtain their energy directly from the sun via photosynthesis. Also known as autotrophs
61
New cards
Herbivores
A species that eats plants or other photosynthetic organisms. Also called a primary consumer
62
New cards
Primary consumers
A species that eats plants or other photosynthetic organisms. Also called a herbivore
63
New cards
Carnivores
An animal species that consumes other animals to survive. Also called a secondary consumer or predator. (*Compare with* primary consumers)
64
New cards
Secondary consumers
An animal species that consumes other animals to survive. Also called a secondary consumer or predator. (*Compare with* primary consumers)
65
New cards
Tertiary consumers
The fourth trophic level, in which predators eat other predators
66
New cards
Omnivores
Species that eat both plants and animals
67
New cards
Parasites
Organisms that live on or in another organism (host), receiving nutritive benefit while decreasing the fitness of the host, which remains alive
68
New cards
Pathogens
Disease-causing organisms
69
New cards
Decomposers
A species that feeds or grows on dead plant and animal material. Also called a detritivore
70
New cards
Detritivores
A species that feeds or grows on dead plant and animal material. Also called a decomposer
71
New cards
Food chain
Specific feeding relationships between species at different trophic levels
72
New cards
Food web
A network of feeding relationships among species
73
New cards
Guild
A group of species at the same trophic level that use approximately the same environmental resources
74
New cards
Abiotic
Not derived from living things
75
New cards
Biotic
Related to living things
76
New cards
Evolution
Genetic changes over time in a population that sometimes can result in a new species
77
New cards
Keystone species
A species that has a disproportionate impact (relative to its numbers or biomass) on the organization of a biological community. Loss of a keystone species may have far-reaching consequences for the community
78
New cards
Trophic cascade
Major changes in vegetation and biodiversity resulting from the loss of a keystone species
79
New cards
Ecosystem engineers
Species that modify the physical structure of an ecosystem
80
New cards
Extinction cascade
A series of linked extinctions whereby the extinction of one species leads to the extinction of one or more other species
81
New cards
Keystone resources
Any resource in an ecosystem that is crucial to the survival of many species (Ex. watering hole)
82
New cards
Healthy ecosystem
Ecosystem in which processes are functioning normally, whether or not there are human influences
83
New cards
Stable ecosystems
Ecosystems that are able to remain in roughly the same compositional state despite human intervention or stochastic events such as unseasonable weather
84
New cards
Resistance
The ability of an ecosystem to remain in the same state even with ongoing disturbance

\
85
New cards
Resilience
The ability of an ecosystem to return to its original state following disturbance
86
New cards
Bioblitz
A one-day event in which scientists and citizen scientists perform an intensive biological survey of a designated area in a short time with the goal of documenting all living species in that area
87
New cards
Endemic species
Species found in one place and nowhere else (Ex. the many lemur species found only on the island of Madagascar)
88
New cards
Option value
Value of biodiversity in providing possible future benefits for human society (such as new medicines)
89
New cards
Perverse subsidies
Government payments or other financial incentives to industries that result in environmentally destructive activities
90
New cards
Precautionary Principle
Principle stating that it may be better to avoid taking a particular action due to the possibility of causing unexpected harm
91
New cards
Private Goods
Value assigned to products, such as timber and animals, that are harvested and directly used by the people who harvest them. Also known as commodity value or private goods
92
New cards
Productive Use value
Value assigned to products that are sold in markets
93
New cards
Public goods
Nonconsumptive benefits that belong to society in general, without private ownership. Also known as indirect use values
94
New cards
Replacement cost approach
How much people would have to pay for an equivalent product if what they normally use is unavailable
95
New cards
Tragedy of the commons
The unregulated use of a public resource that results in its degradation
96
New cards
Use values
The direct and indirect values provided by some aspect of biodiversity
97
New cards
Acid rain
Rainwater that has become acidic due to air pollution
98
New cards
Biomagnification
Process whereby toxins become more concentrated in animals at higher levels in the food chain
99
New cards
Ecological footprint
The influence a group of people has on both the surrounding environment and locations across the globe as measured by global hectares per person
100
New cards
Edge effects
Altered environmental and biological conditions at the edges of a fragmented habitat