- GLOSSARY -
A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M | N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W | X | Y | Z
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B
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Biodiversity: the variety/diversity of life in a given area; may describe diversity at the ecosystem, species, or genetic level
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Biodiversity hotspot: a region where high levels of biodiversity (specifically, the region must have at least 1,500 endemic vascular plants) are currently threatened (only 30% or less of its original natural vegetation remains); read more at Conservation International
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E
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Ecosystem: a community of interacting, biological (living) organisms and their physical (non-living) environment in a given space
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Endangered: describes a species at risk of extinction; noun: endangerment
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Endemic: describes a species that is unique to a biogeographic region, i.e. it only exists on a particular island, mountain range, or part of a continent; noun: endemism
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H
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Herptile: a reptile or amphibian
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I
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Indigenous: a species that naturally occurs in a given region without human intervention; synonym: native
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Invasive: describes a non-native species whose uncontrolled population growth and spread causes economic or environmental problems
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N
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Non-native: describes a species living or growing in an area that is not part of its native range; synonyms: alien, exotic, introduced
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S
Species richness: the number of different species in a given area; does not describe how many individuals of each species are present
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Symbiosis: a mutually beneficial relationship between two different species; adjective: symbiotic
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T
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Threatened: describes a species at risk of endangerment