Biological diversity part four Flashcards
What are four ways that species and ecosystems are being stressed on Earth?
1) Agriculture
2) Urbanization causing pollution
3) Expansion of Industry
4) Forestry
What are three ways biological diversity is reduced?
1) Extinction of some species
2) Decrease in populations of other species
3) Degradation of ecosystems
What is extinction?
A species no longer exists on the planet.
What is extirpation?
A species no longer exists in an area but is occurring elsewhere.
What is being endangered?
A species in immediate danger of becoming extinct or extirpated.
What is being threatened?
A species is likely to become endangered if current declines are not reversed.
What is special concern?
A species is particularly vulnerable to natural events or human activities.
What are three examples of natural causes of extinction or extirpation?
1) Catastrophic events
2) lack of food because of overpopulation
3) disease
What is overspecialization?
Species has adaptations for a small set of environmental conditions which leaves it vulnerable to extinction.
What are human causes of extinction and extirpation?
1) Habitat destruction (construction and clearing land)
2) Introduction of non-native species (cattle took over bison grazing land)
3) Over-hunting (Passenger pigeons hunted to extinction)
What is artificial selection?
Breeding by humans of plants and animals with desirable traits to produce offspring with only those desirable traits.
What is biotechnology?
The use of living things to make agricultural, industrial, or medical products.
What are examples of biotechnology?
- artificial reproduction
- cloning
What is artificial reproductive technology?
it refers to any artificial method of joining a male and female gamete.
What is artificial insemination?
Artificial collection and injection of sperm from a male to a female. (used in livestock breeding)
What is vitro fertilization?
Fertilization that happens outside the body, usually in a petri dish; used in livestock breeding.
What is genetic engineering?
It refers to altering DNA; inserting a gene from a species into another.
What is an In-situ conservation?
The maintenance of populations of wild organisms in their functioning ecosystems.
What have governments done to ensure the protection of various species that are either threatened or endangered?
Created laws to protect them by making it illegal to hunt or capture them.
What is an Ex-situ conservation?
The conservation of components of biological diversity away from its natural habitat.
Why are zoos important?
Some species are endangered due to lack of a habitat. Zoos replicate these.
