Chapter 8

Question 1

Biodiversity

Answer 1

the variety of life across all levels of biological organization and includes diversity in species, genes, populations, communities and ecosystems

Question 2

Species Diversity

Answer 2

the number or variety of species found in a particular region; one component is species richness and relative abundance/evenness

Question 3

Genetic Diversity

Answer 3

the differences in DNA composition among individuals and provides the raw material for adaptation to local conditions

Question 4

Ecosystem Diversity

Answer 4

the number and variety of ecosystems; above species diversity

Question 5

Quantifying Diversity

Answer 5

Simpson’s Diversity Index is a measure of diversity. In ecology, it is often used to quantify the biodiversity of a habitat. It takes into account the number of species present, as well as the abundance of each species.

Question 6

Species Richness

Answer 6

the number of species

Question 7

Species Evenness

Answer 7

AKA relative abundance; the degree to which species differ in numbers of individuals (greater evenness means they differ less)

Question 8

Distribution of Biodiversity

Answer 8

unevenly distributed; higher near the equator b/c there are larger number of organisms due to greater amt of solar energy so more productivity, relatively stable climates

Question 9

Some groups contain more species than others (fig. 8.3)

Answer 9

most species are animals, then 3/4 of animals are insects; among vertebrates only 9% are mammels

Question 10

Potential Bias in Species Estimates

Answer 10

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Question 11

Relationship between latitude and species diversity

Answer 11

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Question 12

Food security

Answer 12

Throughout history humans used 7000 plant species and several thousand animal species; now we get 90% of our food from just 15 crops & 8 livestock species and this lack of diversity leaves us vulnerable to crop failures; biodiversity enhances food security; need to harvest wild species and rare crop varieties

Question 13

Medicine

Answer 13

organisms provide drugs and medicine; many of today’s pharmaceuticals are derived from chemical compounds from wild plants

Question 14

Ecosystem Services

Answer 14

forests provide clean air and water, buffer hydrologic systems against flooding and drought, timber; native crops provide insurance from drought and disease; wildlife attracts tourism that boosts economies; these are all free of charge but that makes them vulnerable to tragedy of the commons (more on pg 167)

Question 15

Ecosystem Function

Answer 15

biodiversity enhances the stability of communities and ecosystems, as well as increase the resilience of ecological systems-their ability to withstand disturbance, recover from stress or adapt to change; loss of biodiversity can diminish a natural system’s ability to function and provide services

Question 16

Tourism and Recreation

Answer 16

people travel to observe wildlife and natural areas they create economic opportunities for area residents; ecotourism

Question 17

Biophilia

Answer 17

human beings share an instinctive love for nature and feel an emotional bond with other living things; E.O. Wilson; love for pets, affinity for parks and wildlife, high value of real estate with views of natural landscapes; hiking, bird-watching, fishing, hunting, backpacking, etc

Question 18

Nature Deficit Disorder

Answer 18

children are increasingly deprived of outdoor experiences and direct contact with wild organisms; Richard Louv argues that alienation from biodiversity damages childhood development and may develop emotional and psychological challenges as they get older

Question 19

Extinction

Answer 19

occurs when the last member of a species dies and the species ceases to exist

Question 20

Extirpation

Answer 20

AKA local extinction; the disappearance of a population from an area but not the entire species globally

Question 21

Background Rate of Extinction

Answer 21

most extinctions occurs gradually, one species at a time

Question 22

Mass Extinction events

Answer 22

in the past 440 million years our planet experienced five major mass extinctions (Table 8.3)

Question 23

Humanity and the 6th Mass Extinction

Answer 23

if current trends continue, the modern era (AKA the Quaternary period) may see the extinction of more than half of all known species; we are causing it and we will suffer as a result

Question 24

Living Planet Index

Answer 24

this index expresses how large the average population size of a species is now, relative to its size in the baseline year of 1970; used to quantify and summarize changes globally; summarizes trends

Question 25

Causes of Biodiversity loss and Extinction

Answer 25

habitat loss and fragmentation, invasive species, pollution, overharvesting, and climate change

Question 26

Habitat Fragmentation

Answer 26

human impact creates gaps that creates islands of habitat; breaks up continuous area of habitat into fragments or patches

Question 27

Overharvesting

Answer 27

AKA overexploitation, taking too much to the point of diminishing returns; can lead to destruction of a resource

Question 28

Conservation Biology

Answer 28

field devoted to understanding the factors, forces and processes that influence the loss, protection and restoration of biological diversity; urge to act as responsible stewards of natural systems

Question 29

Conservation genetics

Answer 29

ask how small a population can become and how much genetic variation it can lose before running into problems such as inbreeding depression

Question 30

Minimum Viable Population

Answer 30

determined to help wildlife managers decide how vital it may be to increase a population

Question 31

Metapopulation

Answer 31

a group of populations that are separated by space but consist of the same species. These spatially separated populations interact as individual members move from one population to another.

Question 32

Endangered Species Act

Answer 32

primary legislation for protecting biodiversity in the U.S.; enacted in 1973; offers protection to species that are in danger of extinction or likely to become endangered in the near future

Question 33

Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES)

Answer 33

protects endangered species by banning the international transport of their body parts; enacted in 1973; 1990 global ban on the ivory trade was enacted under CITES

Question 34

Convention on Biological Diversity

Answer 34

treaty that aims to help nations serve biodiversity, use it in a sustainable manner and ensure the fair distribution of its benefits

Question 35

Captive Breeding and Reintroduction

Answer 35

individuals are bred and raised in controlled conditions with the intent of reintroducing their progeny into the wild

Question 36

Cloning Techniques

Answer 36

new idea for saving species from extinction; DNA from endangered species is inserted into a cultured egg without a nucleus and the egg is implanted into a female of a closely related species that acts as a surrogate mother; success has mixed results

Question 37

Forensic Science

Answer 37

involves the scientific analysis of evidence to make an identification or answer a question relating to a crime or accident

Question 38

Ecological Restoration

Answer 38

an intentional activity that initiates or accelerates the recovery of an ecosystem with respect to its health, integrity and sustainability.

Question 39

Economic Strategies

Answer 39

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Question 40

Community-based conservation

Answer 40

the engagement of local people in efforts to protect land and wildlife; used by 1/4 of protected areas

Question 41

“Umbrella Species”

Answer 41

species selected for making conservation-related decisions, typically because protecting these species indirectly protects the many other species that make up the ecological community of its habitat.

Question 42

“Flagship Species”

Answer 42

a species selected to act as an ambassador, icon or symbol for a defined habitat, issue, campaign or environmental cause.

Question 43

Biodiversity Hotspots

Answer 43

a region that supports an especially great number of species that are endemic (found nowhere else in the world); must harbor at least 1500 endemic plant species and have already lost 70% of its habitat to human impact and be at risk of losing more