bioinformatics Applied science of managing, analyzing, and communicating biological information. 

Domesticated species Wild species tamed or genetically altered by crossbreeding for use by humans for food (cattle, sheep, and food crops), pets (dogs and cats), or enjoyment (animals in zoos and plants in gardens). Compare wild species. 

early successional plant species Plant species found in the early stages of succession that (1) grow close to the ground, (2) can establish large populations quickly under harsh conditions, and (3) have short lives. Compare late successional plant species, midsuccessional plant species. 

endangered species Wild species with so few individual survivors that the species could soon become extinct in all or most of its natural range. Compare threatened species. 

endemic species Species that is found in only one area. Such species are especially vulnerable to extinction. 

flyway Generally fixed route along which waterfowl migrate from one area to another at certain seasons of the year. 

game species Type of wild animal that people hunt or fish for, for sport and recreation and sometimes for food. 

Habitat fragmentation Breakup of a habitat into smaller pieces, usually as a result of human activities. 

immigrant species See nonnative species. 

inherent value See intrinsic value. 

instrumental value Value of an organism, species, ecosystem, or the earth's biodiversity based on its usefulness to us. Compare intrinsic value. 

intrinsic value Value of an organism, species, ecosystem, or the earth's biodiversity based on its existence, regardless of whether it has any usefulness to us. Compare instrumental value. 

keystone species Species that play roles affecting many other organisms in an ecosystem. Compare indicator species, native species, nonnative species. 

late successional plant species Mostly trees that can tolerate shade and form a fairly stable complex forest community. Compare early successional plant species, midsuccessional plant species. 

Maximum sustainable yield See sustainable yield.

Midsuccessional plant species Grasses and low shrubs that are less hardy than early successional plant species. Compare early successional plant species, late successional plant species. 

minimum dynamic area (MDA) Minimum area of suitable habitat needed to maintain the minimum viable population. See minimum viable population. 

minimum viable population (MVP) Estimate of the smallest number of individuals necessary to ensure the survival of a population in a region for a specified time period, typically ranging from decades to 100 years. 

nonnative species Species that migrate into an ecosystem or are deliberately or accidentally introduced into an ecosystem by humans. Compare native species. 

population viability analysis (PVA)  Use of mathematical models to estimate a population's risk of extinction. See minimum viable population.

rare species Species that (1) has naturally small numbers of individuals, often because of limited geographic ranges or low population densities, or (2) has been locally depleted by human activities. 

threatened species Wild species that is still abundant in its natural range but likely to become endangered because of a decline in numbers. Compare endangered species.

utilitarian value See instrumental value. 

wild species Species found in the natural environment. Compare domesticated species.

wildlife All free, undomesticated species. Sometimes the term is used to describe only free, undomesticated animal species.

wildlife management Manipulation of populations of wild species (especially game species) and their habitats for (1) human benefit, (2) the welfare of other species, and (3) the preservation of threatened and endangered wildlife species.

wildlife resources Wildlife species that have actual or potential economic value to people.