Chapter 3 Flashcards
1
Q
Extinction rate
A
A percentage or number of species that go extinct within a certain time period such as a year
2
Q
Mass extinction
A
Extinction of many species in a relatively short period of geologic time
3
Q
Endangered species
A
So few individual survivors that the species could soon become extinct
4
Q
Threatened species
A
Still has enough remaining to survive in the short term. But because of declining numbers it is soon to become endangered
5
Q
Habitat fragmentation
A
Occurs when a large, intact area of habitat such as a forest or natural grassland is divided, typically by roads
6
Q
Precautionary principle
A
Substantial preliminary evidence Indicating that an activity can harm human health or the environment
7
Q
Background extinction rate
A
A natural, low rate of species extinction.
