Chapter 56: Conservation Biology and Restoration Ecology – Flashcards
Unlock all answers in this set
Unlock answersquestion
type of biology that uses ecology, physiology, molecular biology genetics, and evolutionary biology to conserve diversity at all levels
answer
conservation biology
question
division of ecology dedicated to the repair of ecosystems and the environment
answer
restoration ecology
question
What are the three types of diversity?
answer
genetic, species, and ecosystem
question
What is the impact of the loss of genetic diversity?
answer
harder for a species to adapt- escape the extinction vortex
question
What is the impact of the loss of species diversity?
answer
change the way an ecosystem functions/ could loose medicinally valuable species
question
What is the impact of the loss of ecosystem diversity?
answer
extinction of one species could have a negative effect on other species
question
species that are in danger of extinction at all locations
answer
endangered species
question
those species considered likely to become extinct in the near future
answer
threatened species
question
How does habitat loss reduce biodiversity?
answer
-single greatest threat -could mean extinction for species who have no where else to go -can occur over immense regions
question
how do introduced species reduce biodiversity?
answer
free from predators/pathogens/parasites that limit growth takes away resources from native species
question
how does over exploitation reduce biodiversity?
answer
could mean population depletion/extinction
question
What do conservation biologists who adopt the small-population approach study?
answer
processes that cause extinction once population sizes have been severely reduced
question
downward population spiral in which inbreeding and genetic drift combine to make a small population shrink and eventually become extinct
answer
extinction vortex
question
Why is genetic drift the key issue in the small-population approach?
answer
-it becomes harder for the species to adapt -small populations are prone to negative feedback loops of inbreeding and genetic drift that draws the population down the extinction vortex
question
on what type of population does the declining-population model focus?
answer
threatened or endangered populations (even if they are above its minimum viable population)
question
What is the emphasis for study in the declining-population model?
answer
research must be evaluated in a case-by-case basis, carefully analyzing decline before correcting it
question
positive effects of movement corridors
answer
promote dispersal and reduce inbreeding in declining populations
question
negative effects of movement corridors
answer
allows the spread of disease
question
narrow strip/series of small clumps of habitat connecting otherwise isolated pieces of habitat
answer
movement corridors
question
explain the concept behind a zoned reserve
answer
-tries to develop a social and economic climate that protects the environment for the long term
question
extensive region which includes areas with relatively low human disturbance and areas that have been altered for economic gain
answer
zoned reserve
question
What is the goal of restoration ecology?
answer
initiate/speed up the recovery of damaged ecosystems
question
what are the two main strategies of restoration ecology?
answer
bioremediation and biological augmentation
question
using organisms (usually prokaryotes) to detoxify polluted environments
answer
bioremediation
question
using organisms to add essential materials into a degraded ecosystem
answer
biological augmentation
question
economic development that meets the needs of people without limiting the ability of future generations
answer
sustainable development
question
all processes through which natural ecosystems help to sustain human life
answer
ecosystem services
question
What are the four major threats to biodiversity?
answer
habitat loss, introduced species, overharvesting, and global change
question
non-native species/ exotic species
answer
introduced species
question
the minimal population size at which a species is available to sustain its numbers
answer
minimum viable population
question
an estimate of the size of the population based on the number of males and females that can successfully breed; generally smaller that the total population
answer
effective population size
question
relatively small area with numerous endemic species (species that are found nowhere else in the world) and a large number of endangered and threatened species
answer
biodiversity hot spot
question
amount of added nutrient (usually nitrogen or phosphorus) that can be absorbed by plants without damaging ecosystem integrity
answer
critical load
question
translocation of a species to a favorable habitat beyond its native range to protect the species from human caused threats
answer
assisted migration
question
the warming of the earth due to the atmospheric accumulation of carbon dioxide and certain other gases, which absorb reflected infrared radiation and reradiate some of it back towards earth
answer
greenhouse effect
