5 Flashcards
What does the “H” in HIPPO stand for, and why is it significant?
“Habitat destruction, degradation, and fragmentation”—it’s the leading cause of species extinctions.
What is habitat loss?
The complete removal of a habitat, resulting in the disappearance of the species that depend on it.
What is an ecological footprint?
The biologically productive land and water needed to provide resources and absorb waste for a population.
What is the biggest threat to the world’s species?
Habitat loss and degradation.
Why is tropical deforestation especially concerning?
Tropical forests house over half of the world’s terrestrial species and are vital for medicine, carbon storage, and ecosystem stability.
What are three key consequences of habitat fragmentation?
Increased edge per habitat area
Isolation of small populations
Greater proximity of interior to edge effects
What is the “edge effect”?
Environmental changes at the boundaries of fragmented habitats that can harm interior species.
How does fragmentation affect migratory species?
It disrupts their routes and reduces access to breeding or feeding grounds.
What are common impacts of edge effects?
Microclimate changes, higher fire risk, invasive species spread, and increased predation and disease.
What role do roads play in habitat degradation?
Roads fragment habitats, facilitate access for logging, and increase human disturbance.
What is overgrazing and how does it degrade grasslands?
When too many animals graze for too long, surpassing the land’s carrying capacity, leading to erosion and invasive species.
What is desertification?
The transformation of productive land into desert due to overuse, drought, and poor land management.
How does acid rain affect biodiversity?
It acidifies soils and lakes, killing aquatic organisms, damaging forests, and reducing food chain complexity.
What is the impact of nutrient pollution in aquatic systems?
It causes algal blooms, oxygen depletion, and loss of biodiversity.
What is pesticide biomagnification?
The increasing concentration of pesticides as they move up the food chain, harming top predators and ecosystem health.
