Chapter 6: Biodiversity Flashcards
Species Diversity
Each species plays a role in the ecosystem
Genetic Diversity
Genetic change through evolution
Ecosystem Diversity
A variety of different habitats and communities
Functional Diversity
What organisms do in habitats and communities
Community
Different species interacting together in the same habitat
Biodiversity
Variety of life
Local Extinction
Species no longer in area
Ecological Extinction
Are so few that they can no longer play an ecological role
Biological Extinction
Fully Extinct
Endangered species
Could soon be extinct
Threatened species
still abundant in natural area, but numbers are declining
1.9M of 8-100M Possible Species
Extinction rate 0.01% per year
Aldo Leopold
Precaution and intelligent thinking
Precautionary Principle
Creating alternatives to harmful actions
Recreation
Wild plants and animals being pleasure for people
Ecotourism
Segment of Global Travel Industry
Habitat Fragmentation
When a large area of habitat is reduced or divided
Habitat Fragmentation Problems:
- Decrease in population size; divides populations
- Increased surface area; increases competition
- Creation of Barriers; limits food and mating opportunities
-
40% of Endangered Species in the US threatened by invasive
- This is a result of Habitat Fragmentation
1975 CITES
Reduced international trade of threatened animals
CBD, 1992
Countries must have a sustainable use of biodiversity
Endangered Species Act, 1972, ESA
Illegal for Americans to import or trade endangered
1982 Amendment
Habitat Conservation Plans
