Maintaining Biodiversity

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Biodiversity Noun

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[by-oh-di-vur-si-tee]

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Biodiversity

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The variety of life within a specific habitat or ecosystem, encompassing genetic, species, and ecosystem diversity.

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Example: A coral reef with diverse marine life shows biodiversity in an ecosystem.

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Invasive Species Noun

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[in-vey-siv spee-sheez]

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Invasive Species

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An organism introduced to an ecosystem where it spreads and harms native species by outcompeting them for resources.

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Example: An invasive species is introduced to a new ecosystem and can harm native species.

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Habitat Destruction Noun

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[hab-i-tat di-struk-shun]

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Habitat Destruction

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The process by which a natural habitat is altered so much that it can no longer support the species living there.

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Example: The image shows a forest split into a healthy side and a deforested side, illustrating habitat destruction.

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Pollution Noun

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[puh-loo-shun]

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Pollution

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The introduction of harmful substances or contaminants into the natural environment, which causes adverse change and damages life.

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Example: Pollution from a pipe shows harmful substances entering a river, affecting water quality and life.

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Overexploitation Noun

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[oh-ver-ek-sploi-tey-shun]

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Overexploitation

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The overuse of a plant or animal species by humans to a point that threatens its long-term survival.

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Example: The image shows a healthy forest next to a barren land, illustrating the effects of overexploitation.

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Climate Change Noun

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[klahy-mit cheynj]

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Climate Change

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Significant, long-term changes in the global or regional climate patterns, including temperature, precipitation, and wind patterns.

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Example: The image shows how greenhouse gases trap heat from the sun, causing climate change.

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Ecosystem Noun

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[ee-koh-sis-tuhm]

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Ecosystem

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A biological community of interacting organisms and their physical environment, functioning together as a single, complex unit.

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Example: An ecosystem includes animals, plants, and their environment interacting together.

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Native Species Noun

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[ney-tiv spee-sheez]

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Native Species

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A species that has historically occurred in a particular ecosystem or region without introduction by any human activity.

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Example: A coral reef with fish and plants shows native species living naturally in their ecosystem.

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Nonnative Species Noun

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[non-ney-tiv spee-sheez]

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Nonnative Species

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A species living outside its native range, which has arrived there by human activity, either deliberate or accidental.

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Example: A lionfish, a nonnative species, swims among native fish, showing its impact on local ecosystems.

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Wetland Noun

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[wet-land]

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Wetland

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An area of land that is saturated with water, such as a marsh or swamp, supporting diverse aquatic plant life.

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Example: A wetland with aquatic plants and fish shows how these areas support diverse life.