Top 10 Commonly Confused Words in Urban Wildlife Studies

Top 10 Commonly Confused Words in Urban Wildlife Studies 1. Habitat vs. Ecosystem While both habitat and ecosystem refer to the environment in which organisms live, there's a subtle difference. A habitat is the physical space, like a forest or a pond, while an ecosystem includes the living and non-living components, such as plants, animals, and even the air and water. 2. Endemic vs. Native Endemic species are those found exclusively in a specific region, while native species occur naturally in an area. So, while a species can be native to a place, it may not be endemic if it's also found elsewhere. 3. Urbanization vs. Fragmentation Urbanization refers to the overall growth and development of cities, while fragmentation is the breaking up of natural habitats into smaller, isolated patches. Both have significant impacts on wildlife, but they're distinct processes. 4. Invasive vs. Non-native Non-native species are those introduced to an area, intentionally or accidentally, by human activity. Invasive species, on the other hand, not only establish themselves but also have a detrimental impact on the ecosystem, often outcompeting native species. 5. Biodiversity vs. Species Richness