Biodiversity and Conservation Biology

Question 1

What is Biodiversity?

Answer 1

Describes the variety of life across all levels of biological organization. Including species, genes population, and communities.

Question 2

What are Species?

Answer 2

A distinct type of organism, a set of individuals that uniquely share certain characteristics and can breed with one another and produce fertile offspring.

Question 3

What are three different types of Biodiversity?

Answer 3

Ecosystem Diversity, Species Diversity, and Genetic Diversity.

Question 4

How is Species Diversity expressed?

Answer 4

Terms of the number or variety of species in a particular region.

Question 5

What are subspecies?

Answer 5

Populations of a species that occur in separate geographic areas and differ in some characteristics.

Question 6

What is Genetic Diversity?

Answer 6

Encompasses the differences in DNA composition among individuals.

Question 7

What is Ecosystem Diversity?

Answer 7

The number and variety of ecosystems.

Question 8

What is the idea behind Latitudinal Gradient?

Answer 8

Greater amounts of solar energy, heat, and humidity at tropical latitudes lead to more plant growth, making areas nearer the equator more productive and able to support more animals.

Question 9

When does Extinction occur?

Answer 9

When the last member of a species dies and the species ceases to exist.

Question 10

What is the Red List?

Answer 10

An updated list of species facing high risk of extinction.

Question 11

What are some major causes of Biodiversity loss?

Answer 11

Habitat loss, Pollution, Over-harvesting, Invasive Species, and Climate change.

Question 12

What are some of the benefits of Biodiversity?

Answer 12

Provides ecosystem services, maintain ecosystem function, provide drugs and medicines, boosts economies through tourism and recreation.

Question 13

What are some examples of services biodiversity provides for our ecosystem?

Answer 13

Purifies air and water, stabilizes earths climate, provides food, fuel, fiber and shelter, gives us the means to adapt and change.

Question 14

What is Biophilia, and who popularized this notion?

Answer 14

1. Biophilia is asserting that human beings have an instinctive love for nature and feel an emotional bond with other living things.
2. Edward O. Wilson

Question 15

What is Conservation Biology?

Answer 15

A scientific discipline devoted to understanding the factors, forces, and processes that influence the loss, protection, and restoration of biological diversity.

Question 16

What is the Endangered Species Act and when was it passed?

Answer 16

Passed in 1973, It forbids the government and private citizens from taking actions that destroy endangered species or their habitats.

Question 17

What does CITES protect?

Answer 17

Endangered species by banning the international transport of their body parts.

Question 18

What is captive breeding?

Answer 18

Individuals are bred and raised in controlled conditions with the intent of reintroducing them into the wild.

Question 19

How is forensic science being used to protect species?

Answer 19

By analyzing the DNA from organisms or their tissues sold at market, researchers can often determine the species or subspecies and, sometimes, its geographic region.

Question 20

How can we restore degraded natural systems?

Answer 20

Ecological restoration.