5.2 - Threats to Biodiversity Flashcards
what is background extinction?
the gradual process of a species becoming extinct
what is mass extinction?
when a large amount of all living species become extinct in a relatively short period of time
who is the cause of high extinction rates?
homo sapiens (humans)
what is overexploitation?
excessive use of a species for economic value
what is the difference between habitat disruption and habitat destruction?
destruction of a habitat has a direct impact on global diversity while disruption of a habitat can start a chain reaction and affect the entire ecosystem
what is habitat fragmentation?
the separation of an ecosystem into small pieces of land
what is biological magnification?
the increasing concentration of toxic substances in organisms as trophic levels increase in a food chain or web
what things do pollution change the composition of?
pollution changes the composition of air, soil, and water
what are edge effects?
different environmental conditions experienced at the boundaries of an ecosystem
what is eutrophication?
when substances in rich nitrogen and phosphorus flow into waterways, causing extensive algae growth
what is an introduced species?
nonnative species that are either intentionally or unintentionally transported into a new habitat
why do introduced species reproduce in large numbers?
because of a lack of predators
what are the threats to biodiversity?
overexploitation, habitat fragmentation, edge effect, habitat fragmentation
How is the current extinction rate different from the background extinction rate?
How can the decline of a single species affect an entire ecosystem?
