Unit 1 - Wildlife Conservation - Keywords Flashcards
Biomimetics
the imitation of the models, systems, and elements of nature for the purpose of solving complex human problems.
Flagship species
a species selected to act as an ambassador, icon or symbol for a defined habitat, issue, campaign or environmental cause.
Teratology
is the study of birth defects (structural, functional, and physiological).
Indigenous species
species and communities that occur naturally, not as accidental or deliberate introductions, in an area.
Gene pool
The stock of different genes in an interbreeding population.
Vaviloc Centre
is a region of the world first indicated by Nikolai Vavilov to be an original center for the domestication of plants.
CITES
The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (of wild fauna and flora).
Niches
The niche of a species is the role it plays in its habitat, which includes how it makes use of resources and responds to the other species in its habitat.
Endemic
an endemic species is indigenous to a particular area and is not naturally found elsewhere. (The world is also used in disease epidemiology to mean a disease that is normally
present).
Wildlife and Countryside Act
a UK Act of Parliament that provides protection for many wildlife species and designated protected areas.
SSSIs
Sites of Special Scientific Interest.
NNRs
National Nature Reserves.
SPAs
Special Protection Areas.
SACs
Special Areas of Conservation
MNRs
Marine Nature Reserves
Ramsar site
A wetland site designated to protect its biodiversity.
International Whaling Commission
The IWC is an international organisation that aims to
ensure the sustainable exploitation of whales.
EU Common Fisheries
the European Union agreed to manage fishing and aquaculture. It attempts to balance the needs of the Member States and their fishing industries with sustainable
exploitation of the environment
Inbreeding
breeding between closely related individuals. Inbreeding increases the risk of recessive genes producing offspring with disadvantageous characteristics.
Cryopreservation
the preservation of material by freezing, such as the freezing of semen for artificial insemination.
Artificial insemination
a form of selective breeding where semen is collected from a chosen male and is inserted artificially into the chosen female to cause her to become pregnant.
Embryo transfer
the transfer of fertilised eggs or embryos from a female or rare species, into females of closely related more common species. This enables more young to be produced than could be achieved through normal breeding. It is also used in livestock breeding.
Micro-propagation
a tissue culture method where large numbers of plants can be produced from a tissue sample from an original plant, without the need for seeds. The young plants may be raised on agar under sterile conditions.
RSPB
Royal Society for the Protection of Birds.
Environmental Stewardship Scheme
An angri-environmental scheme where farmers
receive payments for farm management practices that benefit wildlife and the environment. Higher payments are available for organic farms.
Plagioclimax
is an area or habitat in which the influences of the humans have prevented the ecosystem from developing further. The ecosystem may have been stopped from reaching its full
climatic climax or deflected towards a different climax by activities such as: Cutting down the
existing vegetation.
Ecotourism
tourism directed towards exotic natural environments, intended to support conservation efforts and observe wildlife.
NGOs
non-governmental organisations.
