Biology - Biological Diversity & Conservation
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16 terms
Terms | Definitions |
|---|---|
 acid rain | rain containing acids that form in the atmosphere when industrial gas emissions (especially sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides) combine with water |
| biodiversity | the variety of species living within an ecosystem |
| edge effect | the condition in which, at ecosystem boundaries, there is greater species diversity and biological density than there is in the heart of ecological communities. |
| endangered species | a species whose numbers are so small that the species is at risk of extinction |
| exotic species | organisms that are not native to a particular area |
| extinction | disappearance of a species from all parts of its geographical range |
| habitat fragmentation | Breakup of a habitat into smaller pieces, usually as a result of human activities. |
| habitat degradation | Threat to biodiversity. The damage to a habitat by pollution. |
| ozone layer | layer of the stratosphere with a high concentration of ozone; absorbs most of the Sun's harmful ultraviolet radiation |
| threatened species | a species that could become endangered in the near future |
| captivity | an organism that is held by people |
| conservation biology | field of biology that studies methods and implements plans to protect biodiversity |
| habitat corridors | natural strips that allow the migration of organisms from one area to another |
| natural resources | materials found in nature that are used by living things |
| reintroduction programs | programs that release organisms into an area where their species once lived in hopes of reestablishing naturally reproducing populations |
| sustainable use | philosophy that promotes letting people use resources in wilderness areas in ways that will not damage the ecosystem |
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