A4.2 Conservation of biodiversity Flashcards
Define biodiversity.
the variety of life in all of its forms.
Outline how biodiversity is quantified at different levels of biological organization.
Genetic Diversity: Variety of genes within a species, measured by genetic differences.
Species Diversity: Variety of species in an area, measured by species richness and evenness.
Ecosystem Diversity: Variety of ecosystems, measured by the number and types of ecosystems in a region.
Compare the number of species on earth today with past levels of biodiversity.
Today, Earth has around 8-10 million species, with about 1.8 million described. In the past, biodiversity was higher, especially during events like the Cambrian Explosion. Mass extinctions and human activities have significantly reduced biodiversity over time.
Define extinction.
the complete disappearance of a species from Earth, with no living members remaining.
State the number of mass extinction events that have occurred on Earth.
5 (scientists believe human activities may cause the 6th extinction)
Outline the cause and effect of mass extinctions that have occurred on Earth.
Causes of Mass Extinctions:
Climate Change: Sudden temperature changes.
Volcanic Activity: Eruptions that change the atmosphere.
Asteroid Impacts: Large space rocks hitting Earth.
Sea-Level Changes: Rising or falling oceans.
Less oxygen in oceans.
Effects of Mass Extinctions:
Species Loss: Many species go extinct.
Ecosystem Damage: Habitats are destroyed.
Surviving species evolve into new forms.
Define anthropogenic.
Caused by human activity
Outline anthropogenic causes of species extinction
. Habitat destruction: Deforestation and urbanization.
Pollution: Harmful chemicals in air, water, and soil.
Climate change: Altered environments.
Overhunting/overfishing: Depleting species.
agriculture disrupting habitats.
List direct and indirect anthropogenic causes of ecosystem loss.
Direct: Cutting down trees, Pollution, Overusing resources, Building cities, Farming
Indirect: Climate change, Invasive species, Factories, Changes in land use
List the types of evidence that can be monitored to assess the status of a biodiversity crisis.
Species population data: Monitoring the number of individuals in a species.
**Species extinction rates: **Tracking the number of species that have gone extinct or are endangered.
**Habitat loss: **Measuring the destruction or fragmentation of natural habitats.
**Invasive species: **Monitoring the spread of non-native species.
Genetic diversity: Assessing genetic variation within populations.
Ecosystem health: Evaluating the condition of ecosystems (e.g., coral reefs, forests).
**Climate data: **Analyzing the impact of climate change on species and ecosystems.
Explain the use of species richness and evenness measures in the tracking of biodiversity over time.
Species richness counts the number of species, and species evenness measures how evenly individuals are spread across those species. Together, they track biodiversity changes over time, showing if it’s increasing or decreasing.
State the role of “citizen scientists” in monitoring a biodiversity crisis.
Citizen scientists collect data on species and ecosystems, helping researchers track biodiversity changes and monitor crises.
Discuss the impact of human population growth on the causes of the current biodiversity crisis.
Human population growth drives habitat destruction, pollution, overexploitation, and climate change, all of which contribute to the current biodiversity crisis.
Compare in situ to ex situ approaches to conservation.
In situ conservation: protects species in their natural habitats, ensuring ecosystems remain intact
Ex situ conservation: protects species outside their natural habitats, such as in zoos
**Both approaches **aim to preserve biodiversity but differ in where and how they protect species.
Outline the advantages of an in situ approach to conservation.
Protects natural habitats.
Allows natural evolution.
Maintains species interactions.
More cost-effective.
Promotes long-term survival.
