Ch 40: Preserving Biodiversity (Exam 1)

Question 1

Main Reasons Why Extinction Rates of Vertebrae’s Are Rising?

Answer 1

-habitat destruction
-invasive species
-pollution
-overexploitation

Question 2

Primary Cause of Biodiversity Loss on a Global Level-

Answer 2

-land use changes
-pollution
-climate change
-deforestation

Question 3

Deforestation

Answer 3

the removal of all trees from a forest area
-much of the carbon stored by trees is released back into the atmosphere as carbon dioxide, which contributes to climate change

Question 4

What Amount of Original Temperate Forests Still Exist in North America, Since the Europeans Arrived on the Continent?

Answer 4

less than 1%

Question 5

How do Dams and Other Altercations to Rivers Destroy Wetland Habitats?

Answer 5

-they replace where many species once breaded
-dry, temp, O2 content, and nutrient levels all change
-disrupts fish migration
-levees alter the pattern of sediment distribution
-erosion

Question 6

Eutrophication

Answer 6

addition of excess nutrients to a waterway, often causes an algae bloom

Question 7

Identify a Major Change in the Gulf of Mexico That is Caused by Excess Nutrient Input in Rivers-

Answer 7

-nutrient rich runoff enters the major river systems, then ends up pouring into the Gulf of Mexico, which results in a zone of seasonal oxygen depletion off the coat of Louisiana
-kills many animals
-economy suffers due to imported fish and shrimp cant live there anymore

Question 8

Function of the Ozone Layer-

Answer 8

blocks damaging ultraviolet radiation (UV) from the sun, basically protecting organisms from harmful radiation that would otherwise strike earth

Question 9

How do GreenHouse Gasses Contribute to Climate Change?

Answer 9

it traps the suns heat on earth

Question 10

Why Has the PH of the Ocean Declined Over the Last Century?

Answer 10

because of the increase of CO2 levels, there is more CO2 dissolving in the ocean, making the ocean more acidic