All flashcards
Flashcard 1: What is one effect of poaching on endangered species?
Answer: Population decline. Illegal hunting reduces breeding individuals and disrupts population structure.
Flashcard 2: What is one way to measure the success of a conservation program?
Answer: Population increase of target species. Population growth indicates improved survival and reproductive success.
Flashcard 3: Which factor is most likely to contribute to a species' recovery?
Answer: Habitat restoration. Provides suitable habitat necessary for species survival and reproduction.
Flashcard 4: Identify one effect of invasive species on endangered species.
Answer: Competition for resources. Invasive species outcompete natives for food, space, and other resources.
Flashcard 5: What does 'extinct in the wild' mean?
Answer: Species survives only in captivity. No wild populations exist; species maintained only in zoos or breeding facilities.
Flashcard 6: Identify one major challenge in enforcing international wildlife trade laws.
Answer: Lack of resources and coordination. Limited enforcement capacity across international borders and jurisdictions.
Flashcard 7: What is 'keystone species' in an ecosystem?
Answer: Species with a critical role affecting many others. Disproportionate ecological impact relative to their abundance in ecosystems.
Flashcard 8: Identify one key goal of the Endangered Species Act.
Answer: Recover endangered species to healthy populations. Mandates recovery plans and critical habitat designation for listed species.
Flashcard 9: What is one criterion for a species to be classified as 'endangered'?
Answer: Population decline of 50% over 10 years. IUCN criteria based on population trends and habitat loss rates.
Flashcard 10: What is a flagship species in conservation?
Answer: Species that represents an environmental cause. Charismatic species that generates public support for conservation efforts.
Flashcard 11: What role do zoos play in conservation of endangered species?
Answer: Breeding programs and education. Ex situ conservation maintaining genetic diversity for potential reintroduction.
Flashcard 12: What is one consequence of habitat fragmentation?
Answer: Isolated populations. Prevents gene flow and increases extinction risk for small populations.
Flashcard 13: What is the role of wildlife corridors in conservation?
Answer: Connect fragmented habitats. Allows species movement and gene flow between isolated habitat patches.
Flashcard 14: What is genetic diversity and why is it important?
Answer: Variation within species; crucial for adaptation. Low genetic diversity reduces species' ability to survive environmental changes.
Flashcard 15: Which conservation status indicates the highest risk of extinction?
Answer: Critically Endangered. IUCN's highest risk category before extinction in the wild.
Flashcard 16: What is 'in situ' conservation?
Answer: Conservation within natural habitats. Protected areas and reserves preserving species within their natural ecosystems.
Flashcard 17: What is 'biodiversity hotspot' in conservation terms?
Answer: Area with high endemic species and significant threats. Priority regions for conservation due to exceptional species richness.
Flashcard 18: What is 'ex situ' conservation?
Answer: Conservation outside natural habitats. Zoos, aquariums, and seed banks maintaining species outside natural environments.
Flashcard 19: What does the term 'biodiversity' encompass?
Answer: Variety of life on Earth. Includes species diversity, genetic diversity, and ecosystem diversity.
Flashcard 20: What is the primary legislation for protecting endangered species in the USA?
Answer: Endangered Species Act of 1973. Federal law providing legal protection for threatened and endangered species.
Flashcard 21: Identify one key factor leading to species endangerment.
Answer: Habitat destruction. Primary cause of species loss, accounting for over 80% of threats globally.
Flashcard 22: Which human activity is a significant threat to marine species?
Answer: Overfishing. Depletes fish populations faster than they can naturally reproduce.
Flashcard 23: What percentage of species are currently threatened with extinction?
Answer: Approximately 28%. Global assessment showing accelerating biodiversity loss across all ecosystems.
Flashcard 24: What term describes the legal protection of species through legislation?
Answer: Species protection laws. Legal frameworks providing formal protection from exploitation and habitat loss.
Flashcard 25: What is meant by 'species recovery plan'?
Answer: Plan to restore species to sustainable levels. Detailed strategy outlining specific actions needed for population recovery.
Flashcard 26: Identify the main purpose of captive breeding programs.
Answer: Increase population of endangered species. Controlled breeding to maintain genetic diversity and boost wild populations.
Flashcard 27: Identify one method to raise public awareness about endangered species.
Answer: Education campaigns. Public education increases support for conservation policies and funding.
Flashcard 28: Name one international agreement aimed at protecting biodiversity.
Answer: Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD). Global treaty promoting conservation and sustainable use of biological resources.
Flashcard 29: Identify one impact of pollution on endangered species.
Answer: Contaminated habitats. Toxic substances poison species directly or accumulate in food chains.
Flashcard 30: What role do NGOs play in species conservation?
Answer: Advocacy, research, and funding. Non-governmental organizations mobilize resources and expertise for conservation.