biodiversity
the variety of organisms in a given area, the genetic variation within a population, the variety of species in a community, or the variety of communities in an ecosystem
extinct
species that no longer exist
ecosystem biodiversity
refers to the variety of habitats, communities, and ecological processes within and between ecosystems
gene
a segment of DNA that is located in a chromosome and that codes for a specific hereditary trait
keystone species
a species whose very presence contributes to an ecosystem's diversity and whose extinction would consequently lead to the extinction of other forms of life, , not usually abundant in a community yet exerts strong control on the structure of a community
flagship species
a popular, charismatic species that serves as a symbol and rallying point to stimulate conservation awareness and action, frequently used by businesses and sports teams as mascots
bottleneck
severe reduction in population size follwed by an increase in population again; can reduce genetic diversity
hybrid
the offspring of two animals or plants of different species or varieties, mixed breed
ecotourism
a form of tourism that supports the conservation and sustainable development of ecologically unique areas
mass extinction
occurs when a large proportion of the Earth's species go extinct in a relatively short period of time.
endangered species
a population of organisms which is identified to be at risk of becoming extinct because it is either few in numbers, or threatened by changing environmental or predation parameters throughout all or a significant part of its range, and thus under protecti
threatened species
when the population of a species is likely to become endangered in the foreseeable future
exotic species
a species that is not native to a particular region
poaching
the illegal harvesting of fish, game, or other species
Human causes of Extinction
destruction of habitats, introduction of non-native species, pollution, and over-harvesting of species (hunting/poaching)
endemic species
a species that is native to a particular place and that is found only there
biodiversity hotspots
areas especially rich in plant and animal species that are found nowhere else and are in great danger of extinction or serious ecological disruption; ex: Brazil's Amazon Rainforests, Great Barrier Reef of Australia
germ plasm
hereditary material (chromosomes and genes) that is usually contained in the protoplasm of germ cells
Four Types of Efforts to Save Species
captive breeding programs, preserving genetic materials, zoos-aquariums-parks, and protecting entire ecoysystems
Endangered Species Act
(1973) identifies threatened and endangered species in the U.S., and puts their protection ahead of economic considerations
Major Provisions of the Endangered Species Act
compiles a list of endangered and threatened species, prohibits importing or trading products made from threatened or endangered species from being bought, sold, captured, or killed, prohibits government from any project that endangers a species, and requ
habitat conservation plan
a land-use plan that attempts to protect threatened or endangered species across a given area by allowing some trade-offs between harm to the species and additional conservation commitments among cooperating parties
CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species)
Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species; international agreement between 175 governments that aims to ensure that international trade in specimens of wild animals and plants does not threaten their survival
IUCN (International Union for the Conservation of Nature)
International Union for the Conservation of Nature; a coalition of the world's leading conservation groups - maintains a Red List of threatened species worldwide
Biodiversity Treaty
an international agreement aimed at strengthening national control and preservation of biological resources; associated with the UN Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED or Earth Summit) in 1992
Red Lists
The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species (also known as the IUCN Red List or Red Data List), founded in 1948, is the world's most comprehensive inventory of the global conservation status of plant and animal species