Conservation Biology Flashcards

What is biodiversity?

Answer: The variety of life forms in an ecosystem at genetic, species, and ecosystem levels

Biodiversity encompasses three levels: genetic diversity (within species), species diversity (between species), and ecosystem diversity (variety of habitats and ecological processes).

What is the primary cause of species extinction today?

Answer: Habitat loss and degradation

Habitat loss and degradation from human activities (deforestation, urbanization, agriculture) is the leading driver of species extinction, affecting more species than any other single threat.

What is a keystone species?

Answer: A species whose impact on the ecosystem is disproportionately large relative to its abundance

Keystone species have an outsized ecological impact relative to their numbers. Removing them triggers cascading effects throughout the ecosystem, like sea otters controlling sea urchin populations to protect kelp forests.

What is an invasive species?

Answer: A non-native organism that causes ecological or economic harm in its new environment

Invasive species are non-native organisms introduced to new environments where they lack natural predators and competitors, often outcompeting native species and disrupting ecosystems.

What is the purpose of a wildlife corridor?

Answer: To connect fragmented habitats allowing animals to move between them

Wildlife corridors are strips of habitat connecting isolated patches, allowing animals to move between them for feeding, mating, and migration, which is essential for maintaining genetic diversity and viable populations.

What does the term 'endangered species' mean?

Answer: A species at serious risk of extinction

Endangered species face a very high risk of extinction in the wild due to factors like habitat loss, overhunting, pollution, or climate change, and are legally protected under laws like the Endangered Species Act.