Chapter Three Terms

The number and variety of organisms found in a specific region.

To legally guard a species that is listed as endangered threatened, or of special concern.For example over half od ontareo's boreal forests are protected, from harm.

A place where there is an exceptionally large number of species in a relatively small area. For example the Tropical rainforest.

All the populations of the different species that interact in a specific area or ecosystem.

A species that is so abundant that is has the largest biomass of any community member. In  most ecosystems the dominant species is a primary producer.

A species that can greatly effect population  numbers and the health of an ecosystem.

The breeding of rare or endangered wildlife in a controlled setting to increase the population. 

A species that causes such dramatic change to landscape that it creates a new ecosystem.

The series of changes in an ecosystem that changes that occurs over time following a disturbance.

The destruction of habitats, which usually result from human activity. When a new city is built an ecosystem is destroyed.

The practice of cleaning forests for logging or other human purposes,and never replacing them.

A species that is accidentally or deliberately introduced into a new location, usually as a result of human activity.For example the Zebra mussels in the great lakes.

A species that can take over the habitat of native species or invade their bodies.

The use or extraction of a resource until its depleted. Usually because of human activity. For example the over expliotation of cod in the maritimes, caused a major decrease in the poulation. 

The death of all of the individuals of a species.

The current accelerated rate of extinctions on earth.

The renewal of degraded or destroyed ecosystems through active human intervention.

The regrowth of a forest, either through the planting of seeds or trees in an area where a forest was cut down.

The use of a species to control population growth or spread of an undesirable species. If for example a species of secondary consumers invades an ecosystem, a natural predator of this species will be brought in to try to control the growth rates of this undesirable species.

The use of a species to clean up contaminated areas naturally.Example the use of bateria to control the levels of oil in the water during the gulf spill.

The use of a species to replenish nutrients back to depleted soils. for example clovers add nutrients to soils allowing the ecosystem fo flourish.