Chapter 56- Conservation Biology and Global Change Flashcards
bio
life
biodiversity hot spot: a relatively small area with an exceptional concentration of species
assisted migration
The translocation of a species to a favorable habitat beyond its native range for the purpose of protecting the species from human-caused threats
biodiversity hot spot
A relatively small area with numerous endemic species and a large number of endangered and threatened species
biological magnification
A process in which retained substances become more concentrated at each higher trophic level in a food chain
conservation biology
The intergrated study of ecology,evolutionary biology, physiology, molecular biology, and genetics to sustain biological diversity at all levels
critical load
The amount of added nutrient usually nitrogen or phosphorous, that can be absorbed by plants without damaging ecosystem integrity
ecosystem service
A function performed by an ecosystem that directly or indirectly benefits humans
effective population size
An estimate of the size of a population based on the numbers of females and males that successfully breed, generally smaller than total population
endangered species
A species that is in danger of extinction throughout all or a significant portion of its range
extinction vortex
A downward population spiral in which inbreeding and genetic drift combine to cause a small population to shrink, and unless the spiral is reversed become extinct
greenhouse effect
The warming of Earth due to the atmospheric accumulation of carbon dioxide and certain other gases, which absorb reflected infrared radiation and reradiate some of it back toward Earth
introduced species
A species moved by humans, either intentionally or accidentally, from its native location to a now geographic region; also called non-native or exotic species
minimum viable population (MVP)
The smallest population size at which a species is able to sustain its number and survive
movement corridor
A series of small clumps or a narrow strip of quality habitat (usable by organisms) that connects otherwise isolate patches of quality habitat
sustainable development
Development that meets the needs of people today without limiting the ability of future generations to meet their needs
