vulnerable
Definition
Vulnerability is the state of being susceptible to damage, harm, or exploitation. It can be used to describe individuals, groups, or systems.
Individual vulnerability can be caused by a variety of factors, such as age, health, disability, or social status. Group vulnerability can be caused by factors such as poverty, discrimination, or conflict. Systemic vulnerability can be caused by factors such as climate change, environmental degradation, or economic inequality.
Vulnerability can be measured in a number of ways, such as the likelihood of an event occurring, the severity of the impact, and the ability to recover from the impact.
Vulnerability assessment is the process of identifying and assessing the vulnerabilities of a system. This information can then be used to develop strategies to reduce vulnerability.
How can the word be used?
The child was vulnerable to abuse because she was neglected by her parents.
Different forms of the word
Adjective:
- open to attack or damage.
- susceptible to being deceived or tricked.
- easily hurt or offended.
Noun: a vulnerable person or thing.
Etymology
The word "vulnerable" comes from the Latin word "vulnerabilis", which means "capable of being wounded".
The first recorded use of the word "vulnerable" in English was in the 16th century.
Question
When might something be vulnerable?
AQA Science Exam Question and Answer
Question:
Explain the concept of a vulnerable species in the context of biodiversity. Provide an example of a vulnerable species and discuss the factors that contribute to its vulnerability.
Answer:
A vulnerable species is a classification used in conservation biology to identify organisms at risk of becoming endangered or extinct. These species face a higher risk of population decline due to factors such as habitat loss, overexploitation, pollution, or other environmental changes.
One example of a vulnerable species is the snow leopard (Panthera uncia), a majestic big cat inhabiting the mountainous regions of Central and South Asia. The snow leopard's vulnerability is attributed to several factors. Habitat loss due to human activities, such as mining and infrastructure development, disrupts its natural range. Additionally, poaching driven by demand for its fur and bones, as well as retaliatory killings by herders to protect livestock, further threatens its population.
Climate change exacerbates the snow leopard's vulnerability by altering its mountainous habitat, affecting prey availability and causing habitat fragmentation.
Efforts to protect vulnerable species like the snow leopard involve habitat conservation, anti-poaching measures, and community engagement to promote coexistence with wildlife.