- Biodiversity: The variety of life in all its forms, including the different species of plants, animals, microorganisms, the genetic diversity within these species, and the ecosystems they form.
- Biogeography: - The study of the distribution of species and ecosystems across geographical areas and the factors that influence their patterns.
- Bioinformatics: The use of computational methods and tools to analyze and manage biological data, often used in biodiversity research.
- Biological control agents: Organisms used to control pests and diseases, an alternative to chemical pesticides, which helps maintain biodiversity by reducing the use of harmful chemicals.
- Biosafety: Procedures or measures designed to protect humans, animals, and the environment from potentially harmful biological agents or organisms.
- Biosecurity: A set of preventive measures designed to reduce the risk of transmission of infectious diseases, pests, and other biological threats in agricultural and environmental contexts.
- Ecological diversity: It refers to the diversity of habitats, ecological processes, and the interactions among different ecosystems in a particular area or on a global scale. It encompasses a wide range of ecosystems, from forests and grasslands to wetlands, deserts, rivers, and oceans. Each ecosystem has its own unique set of species and environmental conditions, contributing to overall ecological diversity. High ecological diversity is important for the overall health of the planet because different ecosystems provide various services, such as nutrient cycling, water purification, and climate regulation.
- Ecological Niche: The role and position that a species occupies in an ecosystem, including its habitat, its interactions with other species, and its utilization of resources.
- Ecosystem: A community of living organisms interacting with their physical environment. It includes all the species in an area, as well as their interactions with one another and with the abiotic factors of the environment.
- Ecosystem conservation: Efforts and practices aimed at protecting and maintaining healthy ecosystems and the biodiversity within them.
- Ecosystem Services: The benefits that humans and other organisms receive from ecosystems, including services like clean air and water, pollination, and nutrient cycling.
- Endangered species: Species that are in danger of extinction throughout all or a significant portion of their range.
- Endemic Species: Species that are found naturally in a specific geographic area and are not naturally found elsewhere. They are often unique to that region.
- Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA): A process that evaluates the environmental effects of proposed activities before they are carried out to ensure that decisions will not adversely affect the environment or biodiversity.
- Genetic diversity, also known as genetic variation, pertains to the variety of genetic information within a population of a single species. It includes differences in the genes and alleles of individuals within a species. Genetic diversity is essential because it provides the raw material for evolution and adaptation to changing environmental conditions. Populations with high genetic diversity are better equipped to withstand diseases, environmental stressors, and other challenges. Inbreeding and reduced genetic diversity can increase the risk of genetic disorders and vulnerabilities.
- Genetic resources: Genetic material of plants, animals, or microbes that are valuable for breeding and biotechnological applications, contributing to biodiversity.
- Indicator Species: Species that are used as early warning signs of environmental changes or the health of an ecosystem. Their presence or absence can indicate the state of the environment.
- Invasive alien species: Species introduced to an area where they do not naturally occur, often causing harm to native species and ecosystems.
- Keystone Species: A species that plays a crucial role in maintaining the structure, stability, and diversity of an ecosystem. Its removal can lead to significant changes in the ecosystem.
- Marine protected areas: Sections of the ocean where human activity is restricted to protect the natural or cultural resources and biodiversity.
- Overexploitation: - The excessive use or harvesting of natural resources, often leading to the decline or depletion of species and ecosystems.
- Pas Geometriques: Pas Géométriques are a narrow belt, theoretically 81.21 metres (250 French feet) in width, round the coast and are State-owned. There are several cases where the width is less than 81.21 metres or does not exist at all.
- Protected areas: Areas designated for the protection and maintenance of biological diversity and natural and associated cultural resources, managed through legal or other effective means.
- Protection of habitats: Efforts aimed at safeguarding natural habitats to ensure the survival of species that depend on those habitats.
- Protection of species: Legal and conservation measures taken to preserve species from extinction.
- Ramsar Sites: The Convention on Wetlands also known as the Ramsar Convention defines wetlands as “Areas of marsh, fen, peat land or water, whether natural or artificial, permanent or temporary, with water that is static or flowing, fresh, brackish or salt, including areas of marine water the depth of which at low tide does not exceed six metres”. Mauritius became a contracting party to the Ramsar Convention on 30 September 2001.
- Red List: A comprehensive list of species that are categorized based on their risk of extinction. It is maintained by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).
- Resilience: The ability of an ecosystem to withstand disturbances or changes and return to its original state or adapt to new conditions.
- Species: A group of organisms that share common characteristics and can interbreed to produce fertile offspring. In the classification of life, species is a fundamental unit.
- Species diversity: Species diversity refers to the variety and abundance of different species (organisms) within a specific ecosystem, region, or on the entire planet. It is often measured using indices like species richness (the number of species) and species evenness (the relative abundance of each species). High species diversity is typically seen as a sign of a healthy and stable ecosystem. Ecosystems with high species diversity tend to be more resilient and better able to adapt to changes.
- Taxonomy: The science of classification, naming, and organizing living organisms into hierarchical groups based on shared characteristics. It includes categories such as kingdom, phylum, class, order, family, genus, and species.
- Wildlife conservation: The practice of protecting wild plant and animal species and their habitats, with the aim of ensuring that they persist for future generations. This involves managing natural resources sustainably, preserving biodiversity, and safeguarding ecosystems from degradation and extinction.
