A comprehensive overview of conservation vocabulary in Spanish, covering key terms related to protecting nature, natural resources, and ecosystems.
Conservation is the practice of protecting and preserving the natural environment, including wildlife, plants, and natural resources. In Spanish, conservation is called conservación, and it involves a wide range of vocabulary spanning biology, ecology, and environmental science. This guide will introduce you to essential conservation terms in Spanish, helping you discuss efforts to protect the planet.
Conservation Concepts
These are fundamental terms related to the idea of conservation and environmental protection. They cover general concepts you’ll encounter in discussions about preserving nature.
| Spanish Concept | English Concept | Spanish Example | English Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| conservación | conservation | La conservación es vital para proteger la biodiversidad. | Conservation is vital to protect biodiversity. |
| protección | protection | La protección de los bosques es una prioridad. | The protection of forests is a priority. |
| sostenibilidad | sustainability | La sostenibilidad asegura recursos para el futuro. | Sustainability ensures resources for the future. |
| preservación | preservation | La preservación de los parques nacionales es esencial. | The preservation of national parks is essential. |
| restauración | restoration | La restauración ecológica ayuda a recuperar hábitats dañados. | Ecological restoration helps recover damaged habitats. |
| impacto ambiental | environmental impact | Evaluamos el impacto ambiental antes de construir. | We assess the environmental impact before building. |
| recurso natural | natural resource | El agua es un recurso natural esencial. | Water is an essential natural resource. |
| equilibrio ecológico | ecological balance | La conservación mantiene el equilibrio ecológico. | Conservation maintains ecological balance. |
| agente contaminante | pollutant | El agente contaminante afecta la calidad del aire. | The pollutant affects air quality. |
| desarrollo sostenible | sustainable development | El desarrollo sostenible busca crecimiento sin daño ambiental. | Sustainable development seeks growth without environmental harm. |
Ecosystems and Habitats
These terms describe the natural environments and habitats that conservation efforts aim to protect. They include different types of ecosystems and key habitat-related vocabulary.
| Spanish Ecosystem/Habitat | English Ecosystem/Habitat | Spanish Example | English Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| bosque | forest | Los bosques tropicales tienen gran biodiversidad. | Tropical forests have great biodiversity. |
| selva | jungle | La selva amazónica es la más grande del mundo. | The Amazon jungle is the largest in the world. |
| desierto | desert | El desierto tiene plantas adaptadas a la sequía. | The desert has plants adapted to drought. |
| arrecife de coral | coral reef | Los arrecifes de coral son muy frágiles. | Coral reefs are very fragile. |
| humedal | wetland | Los humedales filtran el agua y albergan aves. | Wetlands filter water and shelter birds. |
| pradera | prairie | Las praderas son hogar de muchos insectos. | Prairies are home to many insects. |
| tundra | tundra | La tundra tiene un suelo congelado llamado permafrost. | The tundra has frozen soil called permafrost. |
| ecosistema | ecosystem | Cada ecosistema tiene plantas y animales únicos. | Each ecosystem has unique plants and animals. |
| hábitat | habitat | El hábitat de los osos está en los bosques. | The bears’ habitat is in the forests. |
| zona protegida | protected area | Las zonas protegidas ayudan a conservar especies. | Protected areas help conserve species. |
El ___ de los osos está en el bosque.
What does 'hábitat' mean in English?
habitat
'Hábitat' means 'habitat', the natural home of an organism. 'Ecosystem' is 'ecosistema', 'species' is 'especie', and 'nest' is 'nido'.
Wildlife
Conservation often focuses on protecting wildlife, including endangered species. These are important terms for talking about animals and conservation status in Spanish.
| Spanish Wildlife Term | English Wildlife Term | Spanish Example | English Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| fauna | fauna (wildlife) | La fauna local incluye ciervos y liebres. | The local fauna includes deer and hares. |
| especie | species | Hay miles de especies en peligro de extinción. | There are thousands of species in danger of extinction. |
| animal en peligro | endangered animal | El jaguar es un animal en peligro de extinción. | The jaguar is an endangered animal. |
| extinción | extinction | La caza furtiva lleva a la extinción de animales. | Poaching leads animals to extinction. |
| biodiversidad | biodiversity | La biodiversidad es clave para un ecosistema saludable. | Biodiversity is key for a healthy ecosystem. |
| mamífero | mammal | Los mamíferos cuidan a sus crías. | Mammals take care of their young. |
| ave | bird | Muchas aves migran largas distancias. | Many birds migrate long distances. |
| reptil | reptile | Los reptiles regulan su temperatura con el sol. | Reptiles regulate their temperature with the sun. |
| anfibio | amphibian | Los anfibios son muy sensibles a la contaminación. | Amphibians are very sensitive to pollution. |
| cría | offspring | Las crías nacen en temporadas específicas. | Offspring are born in specific seasons. |
Conservation Actions
These verbs and action phrases describe what people do to conserve the environment. They are essential for discussing conservation projects, policies, and individual behaviors.
| Spanish Action | English Action | Spanish Example | English Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| conservar | to conserve | Debemos conservar los recursos naturales. | We must conserve natural resources. |
| proteger | to protect | Protegen a las tortugas marinas en la playa. | They protect sea turtles on the beach. |
| restaurar | to restore | Restauraron un bosque que estaba quemado. | They restored a forest that was burned. |
| reciclar | to recycle | Reciclar reduce la cantidad de basura. | Recycling reduces the amount of waste. |
| sembrar | to plant | Sembraron árboles en la zona deforestada. | They planted trees in the deforested area. |
| eliminar | to eliminate | Eliminan residuos tóxicos correctamente. | They eliminate toxic waste properly. |
| reducir | to reduce | Es importante reducir el uso de plástico. | It’s important to reduce plastic use. |
| controlar | to control | Controlan la caza furtiva en la reserva. | They control poaching in the reserve. |
| educar | to educate | Educamos al público sobre la conservación. | We educate the public about conservation. |
| monitorear | to monitor | Monitorean la salud de los arrecifes de coral. | They monitor the health of coral reefs. |
Environmental Threats
These terms describe the main threats to the environment that conservation efforts aim to combat. Understanding these words helps you discuss global environmental challenges.
| Spanish Threat | English Threat | Spanish Example | English Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| contaminación | pollution | La contaminación afecta la calidad del agua. | Pollution affects water quality. |
| deforestación | deforestation | La deforestación destruye hábitats naturales. | Deforestation destroys natural habitats. |
| cambio climático | climate change | El cambio climático altera los patrones de lluvia. | Climate change alters rainfall patterns. |
| caza furtiva | poaching | La caza furtiva pone en riesgo a muchas especies. | Poaching puts many species at risk. |
| sobrepesca | overfishing | La sobrepesca disminuye las poblaciones marinas. | Overfishing reduces marine populations. |
| residuos | waste | Los residuos plásticos contaminan los océanos. | Plastic waste pollutes the oceans. |
| erosión | erosion | La erosión del suelo afecta la agricultura. | Soil erosion affects agriculture. |
| incendios forestales | wildfires | Los incendios forestales arrasan grandes áreas. | Wildfires destroy large areas. |
| acidificación | acidification | La acidificación del océano daña a los corales. | Ocean acidification harms corals. |
| pérdida de hábitat | habitat loss | La pérdida de hábitat amenaza a muchas especies. | Habitat loss threatens many species. |
These fundamental Spanish conservation terms provide a solid foundation for understanding and engaging in conversations about protecting the environment. As you build your vocabulary, you’ll be better equipped to participate in global efforts to safeguard our planet.
La ___ afecta la calidad del aire.
What is the Spanish word for 'pollution'?
contaminación
'Contaminación' means pollution. 'Deforestación' is deforestation, 'erosión' is erosion, and 'caza furtiva' is poaching.
Flashcards (1 of 50)
- English Concept: conservation
- English Example: Conservation is vital to protect biodiversity.
Last updated: Thu Jun 12, 2025
