Ch 10 Key Terms Flashcards
Biodiversity
Biodiversity is the shortened form of two words “biological” and “diversity”. It refers to all the variety of life that can be found on Earth (plants, animals, fungi and micro-organisms) as well as to the communities that they form and the habitats in which they live.
Gene
The basic unit of heredity that occupies a specific location on a chromosome.
Keystone Species
A keystone species is an organism that helps define an entire ecosystem. Without its keystone species, the ecosystem would be dramatically different or cease to exist altogether
Ecotourism
responsible travel to natural areas that conserve the environment, sustains the well-being of the local people, and involves interpretation and education
Endangered species
a species of animal or plant that is seriously at risk of extinction.
Threatened species
any species that is likely to become an endangered species within the foreseeable future throughout all or a significant portion of its range
poaching
to encroach upon especially for the purpose of taking something.
endemic species
the state of a species being found in to a single defined geographic location, such as an island, state, nation, country or other defined zone; organisms that are indigenous to a place are not endemic to it if they are also found elsewhere
germ plasm
germ cells and their precursors serving as the bearers of heredity
endangered species act
prohibits importing, exporting, taking, possessing, selling, and transporting endangered and threatened species
Habitat Conservation plan
This long-term plan guides protection and enhancement of habitats for ‘threatened’ and ‘endangered’ wildlife species, while ongoing natural resource management continues.
Biodiversity Treaty
promote the conservation of biodiversity and to ensure the sustainable use and equitable sharing of genetic resources.
exotic species
plant species or an animal species that is non-native
