Chapter 10/11 SKIP Flashcards
biodiversity
the variety of life on Earth; it includes species, genetic, and ecological diversity
species diversity
the variety of species, including how many are present (richness) and their abundance relative to each other (evenness)
genetic diversity
the heritable variation among individuals of a single population or within the species as a whole
ecological diversity
the variety within an ecosystem structure, including many communities, habitats, niches, and trophic levels.
ecosystem services
benefits provided by functional ecosystems that are important to all life (including humans); includes such things as nutrient cycles, air and water purification, and ecosystems goods such as food and fuel.
instrumental value
an object’s or species’ worth, based on its usefulness to humans.
instrinsic value
an object’s or species’ worth, based on its mere existence, it has an inherent right to exist.
endemic
a species that is native to a particular area and is not naturally found elsewhere.
biodiversity hotspot
an area that contains a large number of endemic but threatened species.
extirpated
a species that is locally extinct in one or more areas but still has some individual members in other areas.
conservation biology
the science concerned with preserving biodiversity.
threatened species
species that are at risk for extinction; various threat levels have been identified, ranging from “least concern” to “extinct”
keystone species
a species that impacts its community more than its mere abundance would predict.
single-species approach
a conservation strategy that focuses on protecting one particular species.
flagship species
the focus of public awareness campaigns aimed at generating interest in conservation in general, usually at interesting or charismatic species, such as the giant panda or tiger
ecosystem approach
a conservation strategy that focuses on protecting the ecosystem as a whole in an effort to protect the species that live there.
ecosystem restoration
the repair of natural habitats back to (or close to) their original state.
remediation
restoration that focuses on the cleanup of pollution in a natural area.
indicator species
the species that are particularly vulnerable to ecosystem perturbations, and that, when we monitor them, can give us advance warning of a problem.
landscape conservation
an ecosystem conservation strategy that specifically identifies a suite of species, chosen because they use all the vital areas within an ecosystem; meeting the needs of these species will keep the ecosystem fully functional, thus meeting the needs of all species that live there
conservation genetics
scientific field that relies on species’ genetics to inform conservation efforts.
Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES)
An international treaty that regulates the global trade of selected species.
Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD)
An international treaty that promotes sustainable use of ecosystems and biodiversity.
Endangered Species Act (ESA)
the primary federal law under which biodiversity is protected in United States.
protected areas
geographic spaces on land or at sea recognized, dedicated, and managed to achieve the long-term conservation of nature
ecotourism
low-impact travel to natural areas that contributes to the protection of the environment and respects to local people.
debt-for-nature-swaps
a wealthy nation forgives the debt of a developing nation in return for a pledge to protect natural areas in that developing nation.
