Term
|
Definition
| biological diversity, usually refers to the number of different species in a given area. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| a piece of DNA that codes for a specific trait that can be inherited by an organism's offspring |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| species that are so clearly critical to the functioning of an ecosystem |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| a form of tourism that supports the conservation and sustainable development of ecologically unique areas |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| species that is likely to become extinct if protective measures are not taken immediately; species at risk include those that migrate, those that need large or special habitats, those that are exploited by humans (florida panther is nearly extinct, bison, bald eagle) |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| a species that has a declining population and that is likely to become endangered if it is not protected |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| species that is not native to a particular region |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| regulated hunting, fishing, harvesting and trade of wildlife that continues illegally |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| species that are native to and found only within a limited area |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| any form of genetic material, such as that contained within the reproductive, or germ, cells of plants and animals |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| in 1973, the U.S. Congress passed this act designed to protect plant and animal species in danger of extinction |
|
|
Term
| habitat conservation plan |
|
Definition
| a plan that attempts to protect one or more species across large areas of land through trade-offs or cooperative agreement |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| an important result of the earth summit was this international agreement with the goal of preserving biodiversity and ensure that sustainable and fair use of genetic resources in all countries |
|
|
Term
| how many species are on Earth |
|
Definition
the number known to science = 1.7 million
but most scientists agree that we have not studied earth's species adequately and they estimate there are more than 10 million |
|
|
Term
| Every day, somewhere on earth, several unique species become what? |
|
Definition
|
|
Term
|
Definition
species diversity - the number of different species in an area
ecosystem diversity - the variety of habitats, communities and ecological processes within and between ecosystems
genetic diversity - all the different genes contained within all members of the population |
|
|
Term
| 4 ways biodiversity is important to ecosystems and humans |
|
Definition
1. species are connected to ecosystems - healthy ecosystems ensure a healthy biosphere that has balance cycles of energy and nutrients. All the species play an important role in the ecosystem
2. Species and population survival - genetic diversity within a population is critical to species survival
3. Medical, industrial and agricultural uses - people use a variety of organisms for food, clothing, shelter, and medicine
4. Ethics, aesthetics and recreation - some believe we should preserve biodiversity for ethical reasons and species have the right to exist. some value biodiversity for aesthetic or personal enjoyment (keeping pets, camping, picking flowers, watching wildlife) |
|
|
Term
| ways species are being threatened with extinction |
|
Definition
1. habitat destruction and fragmentation
2. invasive exotic species - species brought to regions where they have never been before, they have no predators so they use all the resources or attack other native species
3. harvesting, hunting and poaching
4. pollution |
|
|
Term
| areas of the world that have high levels of biodiversity and many threats to species |
|
Definition
1. tropical rain forest
2. coral reefs and coastal ecosystems
3. islands
4. biodiversity hotspots - most threatened areas of high species diversity on earth. most of these hotspots have lost at least 70 percent of their original natural vegetation. |
|
|
Term
| 4 efforts to save individual species |
|
Definition
1. captive breeding programs
2. preserving genetic material
3. zoos, aquariums, parks and gardens
4. more study needed |
|
|
Term
| advantages of protecting entire ecosystems rather than individual species |
|
Definition
| some species require a large range to find adequate food, find a suitable mate and rear their young. protecting the habitat often means preserving or managing large areas |
|
|
Term
| main provision of endangered species act |
|
Definition
1. US fish and wildlife service must compile a list of all endangered and threatened species
2. endangered and threatened animal species may not be caught or killed. endangered plants on federal land may not be uprooted. no part of an endangered species may be sold or traded |
|
|
Term
| Protecting endangered species can be controversial |
|
Definition
| attempts to restrict human uses of land can be controversial. Real estate developers may be prevented from building on their own land because it contains critical habitat for a species. People can lose income when their land use is restricted. |
|
|
Term
| 3 examples of world wide cooperation to prevent extinctions |
|
Definition
1. CITES treaty - prevented slaughter of African elephants
2. biodiversity treaty - earth summit resulted in this treaty to preserve biodiversity and ensure the sustainable and fair use of genetic resources in all countries
3. private conservation efforts - world wildlife fund, nature conservancy, greenpeace, etc |
|
|
