Biodiversity
The variety of life in an area, including genes, species, and ecosystems
Biodiversity
When the last individual of a species dies.
Biological Extinction
A trait that helps an organism survive and reproduce.
Adaptation
U.S. law that protects endangered and threatened species.
Endangered Species Act
Protected local land with forests and natural areas.
Forest Preserve
The variety of roles organisms have in an ecosystem.
Functional Diversity
When a species is too rare to play its role in the ecosystem.
Ecological Extinction
An environmental factor that affects survival.
Slective Pressure
Protected natural land in Illinois with rare species or habitats.
Illinois Nature Preserve
Protected land managed by a state for recreation and nature.
State Park
Large regions with similar climate, plants, and animals (desert, tundra, forest).
Biomes
When a species disappears from one area but exists elsewhere.
Extirpation
A change in DNA that creates variation.
Mutation
Protected land managed for nature and recreation.
National Park
Benefits people get from nature, like clean water, food, and pollination
Ecosystem Services
Travel focused on enjoying nature while supporting conservation.
Ecotourism
A short period when many species go extinct worldwide.
Mass Extinction
Organisms with helpful traits survive and reproduce more.
Natural Selection
Public land (forest) managed for conservation and resource use.
National Forest
Protecting nature, species, and habitats.
Conservation
A proposed time period where humans strongly affect Earth’s systems.
Anthropocene
The normal slow rate of extinction over time.
Background Extinction Rate
The formation of a new species.
Speciation
Protected areas mainly for wildlife habitat.
National Wildlife Refuge
Repairing damaged ecosystems to make them healthy again.
Ecological Restoration