Unit 4 Flashcards
Extinction
The disappearance of all members of a species from Earth
Endangered species
A species that is headed toward biological extinction
Natural capital
Natural resources and services that keep us and other species alive and support our economies
Bushmeat
Meat from African wild animals
Overgrazing
Occurs when too many aniamls graze an area for too long, damaging or killing the vegetation and exceeding the area’s carrying capacity for grazing
Biosphere reserve
A protected area meant for conservation of plants and animals
Background extinction rate
The natural low rate of extinction on Earth
Threatened species
A species with enough individuals to survive short term but is likely to become endangered due to declining numbers
Habitat fragmentation
Occurs when a large, intact area of habitat (like forest or grassland) is divided into smaller, isolated patches or habitat islands
CITES
The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wilde Fauna and Flora
A 1975 treaty that bans the hunting, capturing, and selling of endangered or threatened species
Lists 1,003 species that endangered
Restricts trade of 5,800 other animal and 30,000 other plant species
Habitat corrider
An area of restored habitat connecting wildlife populations seperated by human activities or habitat fragmentation (habitat islands)
Biodiversity hotspot
Areas rich in highly endangered species found nowhere else and threatened by human activities
Mass extinction
The global etinction of many species in a relatively short period of geologic time
Ecotourism
Tourism directed toward natural, often threatened, environment
Promotes conservarions, low environmental impct, respect for local cultures, and support for local economies
Indicator species
Species whose declines serves as early warnings that a community or ecosystem is being degraded
