Chapter 11 - Biodiversity and Conservation Biology

Question 1

precautionary principle

Answer 1

the idea that one should not undertake a new action until the ramifications of that action are well understood

Question 2

biotechnology

Answer 2

the material application of biological science to create products derived from organisms. the creation of transgenic organisms is on type of biotechnology

Question 3

community-supported agriculture (CSA)

Answer 3

a system in which consumers pay farmers in advance for a share of their yield, usually in the form of weekly deliveries of produce

Question 4

farmers market

Answer 4

a market at which local farmers and food producers sell fresh locally grown iteams

Question 5

life-cycle analysis

Answer 5

a quantitative analysis of inputs across the entire life cycle of a product-from its origins, through its production, transportation, sale, and use, and finally its disposal-in an attempt to judge the sustainability of the process and make it more ecologically efficient

Question 6

poaching

Answer 6

the illegal killing of wildlife, usually for meat or body parts

Question 7

genetic diversity

Answer 7

a measurement of differences in DNA composition among individuals within a given species

Question 8

ecosystem diversity

Answer 8

the number and variety of ecosystems in a particular area. on way to express biodiversity. related concepts consider the geographic arrangements of habitats, communities, or ecosystems at the landscape level, including sizes, shapes, and interconnectedness of patches of these entities

Question 9

species diversity

Answer 9

the number and variety of species in the world or in a particular region

Question 10

red list

Answer 10

an updated list of species facing unusually high risks of extinction. This list in maintained by the World Conservation Union

Question 11

species

Answer 11

a population or group of populations of organisms were member share certain characteristics and can breed freely with one another and produce fertile offspring. different biologists may have different approaches to diagnosing a species boundaries

Question 12

biodiversity (biological diversity)

Answer 12

the variety of life across all levels of biological organization, including the diversity of species, their genes, their populations, and their communities

Question 13

recombinant DNA

Answer 13

DNA that has been patched together from the DNA of multiple organisms in an attempt to produce desirable traits such as rapid growth, disease and pest resistance or higher nutrient content in organisms lacking those trairs

Question 14

habitat fragmentation

Answer 14

the process by which an expanse of natural habitat becomes broken up into discontinuous fragments, often as a result of farming, road building, and other types of human development and land use

Question 15

biophilia

Answer 15

an inherent love for and fascination with nature and an instinctive desire people have to affiliate with other living things defined by biologist E.O. wilson as “the connections that human beings subconsciously seek with the rest of life.”

Question 16

conservation biology

Answer 16

a scientific discipline devoted to understanding the factors, forces, and processes that influence the loss, protection, and restoration of biodiversity within and among ecosystems

Question 17

Endangered species act (ESA)

Answer 17

the primary legislation, enacted in 1973, for protecting biodiversity in the u.s. it forbids the government and private citizens from taking actions (such as developing land) that would destroy endangered species or their habitats and it prohibits trade in products made from endangered species

Question 18

species at risk act

Answer 18

Canada’s Endangered specie protection law,enacted in 2002

Question 19

convention on international trade in endangered species of wild fauna and fiora (cites)

Answer 19

a 1973 treaty facilitated by the in that protects endangered species so that their young can be bred and raised in controlled areas and subsequently reintroduced into the wild

Question 20

captive breeding

Answer 20

the practice of capturing members of a threatened species so that their young can be bred and raised controlled areas and subsequently reintroduced into the wild

Question 21

foresnsic science

Answer 21

the scientific analysis of evidence to make an identifyicationor answer a question relating to a crime or a accident

Question 22

biodiversity hotspot

Answer 22

an area that supports an especially great diversity of species, particulary species that are endemic to the area

Question 23

ecological restoration

Answer 23

efforts to reverse the effects of human disruption of ecological systems and to restore communities to their condition before the disruption. The practice that applies principles of restoration ecology

Question 24

community-based conservation

Answer 24

the practice of engaging local people to protect land and wildlife in their own region