Wildlife: 3_Conservation and Society Flashcards
(26 cards)
What does ‘At Risk’ mean under Alberta’s species risk status?
‘At Risk’ refers to any species known to be ‘At Risk’ after formal detailed status assessment and designation as ‘Endangered’ or ‘Threatened’ in Alberta.
What does ‘May Be At Risk’ indicate?
‘May Be At Risk’ refers to any species that may be at risk of extinction or extirpation and is therefore a candidate for detailed status assessment.
What is meant by ‘Sensitive’ in Alberta’s species risk status?
‘Sensitive’ refers to any species that is not ‘At Risk’ of extinction or extirpation but may require special attention or protection to prevent it from becoming at risk.
What does ‘Secure’ mean in the context of species risk status?
‘Secure’ refers to a species that is not ‘At Risk’, ‘May Be At Risk’, or ‘Sensitive’.
What does ‘Undetermined’ signify?
‘Undetermined’ refers to any species for which insufficient information, knowledge or data is available to reliably evaluate its general status.
What does ‘Not Assessed’ mean?
‘Not Assessed’ refers to any species that has not been examined.
What is an ‘Exotic/Alien’ species?
‘Exotic/Alien’ refers to any species that has been introduced as a result of human activities, synonymous with invasive.
What does ‘Extirpated’ mean?
‘Extirpated’ refers to any species no longer thought to be present in Alberta.
What does ‘Extinct’ indicate?
‘Extinct’ refers to any species no longer believed to be present anywhere in the world.
What is an ‘Accidental/Vagrant’ species?
‘Accidental/Vagrant’ refers to any species occurring infrequently and unpredictably in Alberta (i.e., outside its usual range).
What is the definition of ‘Endemic’ species?
‘Endemic’ refers to a species that is native or restricted to a particular country or area.
What does COSEWIC stand for?
COSEWIC stands for the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada, an independent body of experts responsible for identifying and assessing wildlife species considered to be at risk in Canada.
What is the Species at Risk Act (SARA)?
The Species at Risk Act (SARA) is a federal Canadian law proclaimed in 2003 with the purpose of protecting wildlife species at risk in Canada.
What are Megafauna?
Megafauna are large animals, particularly those that existed in the Pleistocene epoch, such as mammoths, camels, and horses.
What is the Overkill Hypothesis?
The Overkill Hypothesis is the theory that human hunting played a significant role in the extinction of megafauna, particularly at the end of the Pleistocene.
What is a Phenotype?
A Phenotype is the physical expression of a gene, influenced by both genetics and environmental conditions.
What is Density Dependence?
Density Dependence is an ecological principle where population growth rates are regulated by the density of the population.
What are Feral Species?
Feral Species are domesticated animals that have returned to a wild state, such as feral rabbits and wild boars.
What are Invasive Species?
Invasive Species are species that are non-native to an ecosystem and whose introduction causes or is likely to cause economic or environmental harm or harm to human health.
What are Exotic Species?
Exotic Species are species that are not native to a particular region or ecosystem and are introduced as a result of human activities, synonymous with invasive.
What is a Sounder?
A Sounder is a group of wild pigs or boars.
What is a Boreal Forest?
A Boreal Forest is a biome characterized by coniferous forests, found in the high northern latitudes.
What are Peatlands?
Peatlands are wetlands characterized by the accumulation of partially decayed plant material (peat), including bogs and fens.
What is Apparent Competition?
Apparent Competition is an indirect interaction between two prey species, where the increase of one prey species leads to an increase in a shared predator population, negatively impacting the other prey species.
