Chapter 56 - Conservation Biology and Global Change

Question 1

conservation biology

Answer 1

The integrated study of ecology, evolutionary biology, physiology, molecular biology, and genetics to sustain biological diversity at all levels.

Question 2

endangered species

Answer 2

A species that is in danger of extinction throughout all or a significant portion of its range.

Question 3

threatened species

Answer 3

A species that is considered likely to become endangered in the foreseeable future.

Question 4

ecosystem service

Answer 4

A function performed by an ecosystem that directly or indirectly benefits humans.

Question 5

introduced species

Answer 5

A species moved by humans, either intentionally or accidentally, from its native location to a new geographic region; also called non-native or exotic species.

Question 6

extinction vortex

Answer 6

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.

Question 7

minimum viable population (MVP)

Answer 7

The smallest population size at which a species is able to sustain its numbers and survive.

Question 8

effective population size

Answer 8

An estimate of the size of a population based on the numbers of females and males that successfully breed; generally smaller than the total population.

Question 9

movement corridor

Answer 9

A series of small clumps or a narrow strip of quality habitat (usable by organisms) that connects otherwise isolated patches of quality habitat.

Question 10

biodiversity hot spot

Answer 10

A relatively small area with numerous endemic species and a large number of endangered and threatened species.

Question 11

zoned reserve

Answer 11

An extensive region that includes areas relatively undisturbed by humans surrounded by areas that have been changed by human activity and are used for economic gain.

Question 12

critical load

Answer 12

The amount of added nutrient, usually nitrogen or phosphorus, that can be absorbed by plants without damaging ecosystem integrity.

Question 13

biological magnification

Answer 13

A process in which retained substances become more concentrated at each higher trophic level in a food chain.

Question 14

greenhouse effect

Answer 14

The [believed?] warming of the 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.

Question 15

assisted migration

Answer 15

The translocation of a species to a favorable habitat beyond its native range for the purpose of protecting the species from human-caused threats.