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Environmental Science > Biodiversity, Evolution, Conservation > Flashcards

Biodiversity, Evolution, Conservation Flashcards

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Biology 101 flashcards
1
Q

Types of Biodiversity

A

Species, habitat, genetic

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2
Q

Biodiversity

A

The variety of life existing in a certain area

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3
Q

Species Diveristy

A

of species / organisms per unit area found in different habitats of the planet

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4
Q

Simpson’s Index

A

Indicates how many different species exist
-high values of “D” are more biodiverse, stable
-low values could suggest pollution, colonization, agricultural management
D = nk (nk-1) / N (N-1)

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5
Q

Richness

A

of species per sample

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6
Q

Relative Abundance

A 
A measure of "eveness" of different species making up the richness of an area
# of individual species / total individuals present
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7
Q

Habitat Diversity

A

Range of different habitats per unit in an ecosystem or biome

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8
Q

Genetic Diversity

A

Total # of genetic characteristics of a specific species within a population
-larger population = greater genetic diversity

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9
Q

Endemic Species

A

Species found in only one specific area of the world

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10
Q

Natural Selection

A

Survival of the fittest

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11
Q

Fitness

A

Measure of reproductive success

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12
Q

Assumptions of Natural Selection

A
  • all individuals are variable in fitness
  • population size remains stable over long periods
  • resources are limited (more competition)
  • traits are heritable
  • individuals best adapted to environment will survive and pass on their genes
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13
Q

Charles Darwin

A

Studied different Finch species on Galapagos Islands

Theories of natural selection & variation

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14
Q

Natural Selection & Variation

A

Evolution occurs randomly in an individual (good, bad, neutral) and changes the gene pool.
Unfavorable genes will die out, leaving only “good” genes in pool
EX: peppered moth- as buildings got darker from soot, darker moths survived

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15
Q

Isolation

A 
Seperation of populations
Types:
-temporal (temperature/season)
-behavioral
-reproductive
-geographical
-habitat
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16
Q

Plate Tectonics

A

Movement of the Earth to create valleys, mountains, new land masses

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17
Q

Mutations

A

Any change or random error in a DNA sequece (the hereditary material of a cell)
Mutations in sex cells are passed to offspring (if unicellular all are passed)
Traits aquired without change in DNA are not passed

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18
Q

Evolution: FARBM

A
  1. fish
  2. amphibians
  3. reptiles
  4. birds
  5. mammals
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19
Q

Importance of Biodiversity

A
  • nature’s insurance policy against change
  • source of all natural capital for human use
  • way chemical materials are cycled & purified
  • end result of millions of years of evolution & irreplaceable
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20
Q

Anthropocentrism

A
  • diverse ecosystems = more stable / healthy
  • more resistant to climate change & spread of diseases
  • provides important ecological services
  • used for recreation, foods, goods, medicine
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21
Q

Extinction

A

When there are no more individuals of a species still alive anywhere in the world
-99% of all species that were on the earth no longer exist

22
Q

Endangered

A

Species at risk of extinction because there are so few left they might soon be wiped out altogether

23
Q

End of Ordovician (440 mya)

A
  • 2nd most devastating in earth’s history
  • affected marine species
  • probably from glaciation
24
Q

Late Permian (225 mya)

A

-largest extinction
-95% of all marine species lost
Possible causes:
-Pangea continents merging
-global warming from volcanic eruptions glaciation

25
Q

Cretaceous / Tertiary Extinction

A
  • all dinosaurs & half other plants / animals extinct
  • possible asteroid
  • brought rise of mammals
26
Q

Mass Extinction Causes

A
  • plate tectonics
  • super volcanoes
  • climate changes
  • meteorite impacts
27
Q

Human Causes of Endangerment (HICOP)

A
  • Habitat destruction / fragmentation
  • Introduced species
  • Climate change
  • Overexploitation
  • Pollution
28
Q

Degradation

A

Reducing the quality of available habitat

EX: logging, agriculture, sewage

29
Q

Fragmentation

A

Splitting a single, large, contiguous system into many disconnected areas
EX: road through wilderness, dam across river

30
Q

Loss

A

Disappearing of an entire habitat

EX: paving natural area for building, praires to farmland

31
Q

Invasive Species

A

Organisms that are living in an environment outside its normal range or natural environment
-many transported by accident

32
Q

Biocontrol

A

Species transported intentionally to control other “problem” species populations
Characteristics:
-fast growth / reproduction
-wide range of environments
-usually harmful to environment
-outcompete native organisms for local food
-lead to extinction of natives

33
Q

Overexploitation

A

Harvesting a renewable resource to the point of diminishing returns
EX: wild medicinal plants, grazing pastures, game animals, fish stock, forests, water aquifers

34
Q

Pollution

A

Introduction of harmful materials into environment
-damage quality of air, water, land
EX: sulfar leads to excess acid in lakes, streams, and damages trees, soil

35
Q

Red List

A

Developed by International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN)
Purpose:
1. identify species of concern
2. identify species in need of conservation
3. catalogue plants / animals facing global extinction
4. raise awareness

36
Q

Conservation: Status Factors

A
  1. population size
  2. trophic level
  3. degree of specialization
  4. geographic range & distribution
  5. reproductive potential & behavior
37
Q

Solutions (3 R’s)

A 
1. Replace
biotourism, education
2. Regulate
policy
3. Restore
species survival plans, reserves, research
38
Q

Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES)

A
  • international agreement between governments

- ensure international trade does not threaten species in wild

39
Q

Endangered Species Act (1973)

A
  • protect & recover endangered species

- protects habitats

40
Q

Earth Summit (Rio, 1992)

A

193 nations supporting Convention on Biological Diveristy’s goals of biodiversity conservation & sustainable use of natural resources

41
Q

Kyoto Protocol

A

Commits state parties to reduce greenhouse gas emissions

42
Q

Conservation of Nature-scapes

A
  • save areas rich in endemic species
  • mostly tropical forests, continetal shelves, coral reefs
  • contains 60% of identified terrestrial biodiveristy
  • **keystone species imprtant
43
Q

Criteria for Researves

A
  1. size
  2. shape
  3. edge effects
  4. corridors
  5. proximity to potential human influence
44
Q

Nature Preserve Example

A

Gateway National Recreation

45
Q

Zoos

A

Educationional facilities that care for, conserve, provide public awareness

  • Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA)
  • special species survival plans
  • EX: breeding programs
46
Q

Zoos Advantages

A
  • education
  • increased scientific knowledge
  • controlled environment to protect animals
  • easy genetic monitoring
  • captive breeding = high success
  • high chance of offpsring surviving
  • species held while habitat conserved
47
Q

Zoos Disadvantages

A
  • individuals forcibly taken from habitat
  • captive populations = small gene pool
  • captive animals can’t survive in wild as well
  • ethical argument
48
Q

Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs)

A

Not run, funded, or influenced by national governments

EX: Greenpeace, World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF)

49
Q

Intergovernmental Organizations (IGOs)

A

Established by international agreements
EX: United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN)

50
Q

Governmental Organizations (GOs)

A

Restricted by national politics, but brings internatal conventions and laws into force
EX: National Departments of the Environment

Environmental Science (5 decks)

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