Top 10 Commonly Confused Words in Wildlife Conservation

Top 10 Commonly Confused Words in Wildlife Biology 1. Adaptation vs. Acclimation While both terms describe an organism's response to its environment, 'adaptation' refers to a long-term, genetic change, whereas 'acclimation' is a short-term adjustment without genetic alteration. For example, a polar bear's thick fur is an adaptation, while a human's temporary tan is an acclimation. 2. Endemic vs. Indigenous These words describe the natural occurrence of a species in a specific area. 'Endemic' means the species is found exclusively in that area, while 'indigenous' indicates it's native but can also be found elsewhere. For instance, the koala is endemic to Australia, while the kangaroo is indigenous. 3. Ecosystem vs. Habitat An 'ecosystem' refers to a community of organisms and their physical environment, including the interactions between them. On the other hand, a 'habitat' is the specific place where an organism lives. For instance, the Amazon rainforest is an ecosystem, while a tree within it is a habitat. 4. Population vs. Community In the context of wildlife biology, a 'population' refers to a group of individuals of the same species in a given area. Conversely, a 'community' includes all the populations of different species in that area. So, a population of lions and a population of zebras together form a community. 5. Migration vs. Dispersal