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Ecology chapter 3
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Biodiversity
The measure of the different species in an ecosystem
Eg. More biodiversity in the rainforest than in the arctic
Protect
To keep from going extinct
Usually refers to species that are endangered
Biodiversity hotspot
An area with a large amount of biodiversity
Eg. The rainforest in South America
Community
A group of species that interact with each other within an ecosystem
Includes competitors, predators and symbiotic relations
Dominant species
The species that has the largest biomass in an ecosystem
Major trouble if they are destroyed
Keystone species
A species with a vital role in an ecosystem
Usually has smaller population
Eg. Otters
Captive breeding
The breeding of animals in captivity
Usually to increase low populations of certain species
Eg. California condor
Ecosystem engineer
A species that changes an ecosystem to such an extent that it creates a new ecosystem
Eg. Beaver
Succession
The change of an ecosystem over a shortish period of time.
Eg. Beaver ponds
Habitat loss
The loss of a population's habitat
Usually due to humans
Deforestation
The cutting down of forests by humans
Usually for logging, always refer to its effect on wildlife
Alien species
Species not normally found in a certain area that have been found there
Usually put there by humans for various reasons
invasive species
Alien species that cause harm to the ecosystem they are introduced to.
Eg. Zebra mussels, humans (it's true!)
Overexploitation
The overuse of a particular resource
Usually by humans
eg. atlantic cod
extintion
the total annihilation of a species
eg. the dodo
biodiversity crisis
the term used to describe the current problem of extreme rates of extinction
caused by humans
restoration ecology
the science of returning an ecosystem to its original form
eg. cleaning oil spills
reforestation
the planting of trees to replace logged ones
done by humans
biocontrol
use of one species to destroy an invasive species
eg. bringing ferrets in to take care of mice
bioremediation
the use of organisms to change an ecosystem to its original form
eg. bacteria at oil spills
bioaugmentation
the use of organisms to replenish an ecosystem's nutrients
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Author
andrew_johnstone
ID
238434
Card Set
Ecology chapter 3
Description
Glossary terms for chapter 3
Updated
2013-10-03T15:30:06Z
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