Chapter 8: Biodiversity And Conservation Biology

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Biodiversity

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Describes the variety of life across all levels of biological organization, including the diversity of species, their genes, their populations, and their communities.

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Species

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A distinct type of organism, a set of individuals that uniquely share certain characteristics and can breed with one another and produce fertile offspring

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Species Diversity

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The number or variety of species in a particular region

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Species richness

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The number of species

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Taxonomists

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Scientists who classify species by their similarity into a hierarchy of categories meant to reflect evolutionary relationships

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Subspecies

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Populations of a species that occur in separate geographic areas and differ in some characteristics

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Genetic Diversity

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Encompasses the differences in DNA composition among individuals

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Inbreeding Depression

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In low populations, genetically similar parents mate and produce weak or defective offspring

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Ecosystem Diversity

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Refers to the number and variety of ecosystems

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Latitudinal gradient

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Species richness increases toward the equator

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Extinction

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Occurs when the last member of a species dies and the species ceases to exist

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Extirpation

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The disappearance of a population from a given area, but not the entire species globally

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Background extinction rate

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Natural extinctions

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Mass Extinction

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An event that eliminates at least 50% of all species

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Red List

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An updated list of species facing high risks of extinction

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Habitat fragmentation

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Gradual, piecemeal degradation and loss of habitat

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Ecosystem services

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Free services provided by intact ecosystems

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Ecotourism

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Travel to see wildlife and explore nature

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Biophilia

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Humans love nature and have an emotional bond with other living things

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"Nature deficit disorder"

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Alienation from biodiversity and nature damages childhood development

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Conservation biology

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Studies the factors behind the loss, protection, and restoration of biodiversity

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Conservation geneticists

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Study the effects of loss of genetic variation (e.g. inbreeding depression)

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Minimum viable population size

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How small a population can become before it runs into problems

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Endangered Species Act

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The primary legislation for protecting biodiversity in the U.S.

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Captive breeding

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Individuals are bred and raised so they can be reintroduced into the wild

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U.N. Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora

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Protects endangered species by banning international transport of their body parts

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Conservation on Biological Diversity

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Seeks to conserve biodiversity, use biodiversity in a sustainable manner, and ensures the fair distribution of biodiversity's benefits

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Forensic science

Back 28

Analyzes evidence to identify or answer questions relating to a crime

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Umbrella species

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Species that, when protected, also help protect other, less charismatic species

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Flagship species

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Large, charismatic species used as spearheads for biodiversity conservation

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Biodiversity hotspots

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An international approach oriented around geographic regions

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Endemic species

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Species found nowhere else in the world

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Ecological Restoration

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Restores degraded areas to some semblance of their former condition

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Community-based conservation

Back 34

Biologists partner with local people to protect land and wildlife