Drivers And Trends Of Global Biodiversity Loss

Question 1

What is biodiversity ?

Answer 1

This refers to the variety of all living organisms on earth . This includes different species , the differences with those species , and the variety of ecosystems like sea, land , fresh water environment that these organism live in .

Question 2

What is the convention on biodiversity ?

Answer 2

This the first global agreement to cover all aspects of biodiversity .

Question 3

What are the three main goals of the convention of biodiversity.

Answer 3

1. Conservation of biodiversity
2. Sustainable use of biodiversity
3. The fair and equitable sharing of any benefits arising from the use of genetic resources

Question 4

What are the different types of diversity ?

Answer 4

Taxonomic diversity : the number of different species (most common)
Genetic diversity : the amount of genetic variation with a species ( most vital for species survival )
Functional diversity : variation of function within the ecosystem.

Question 5

What is the biodiversity bias about?

Answer 5

This is refers to a bias in the human knowledge of biodiversity.
There are 2million to 1trillion species that exists but only 1.7 million have been identified and entered into a database.

Question 6

Where does this bias come from ?

Answer 6

The human knowledge is only curious about what is cute and cuddly and what is dangerous and does not extend beyond that .

Question 7

What are the consequences of knowledge biases

Answer 7

It limits how much we know hence it affects our understanding about biodiversity impacting the way we conserve biodiversity

Question 8

True or false : is extinction risk affected by knowledge bias ?

Answer 8

Yes

Question 9

What are eco-system services ?

Answer 9

T they are the direct /indirect contributions of ecosystems to human wellbeing . They support either through direct or indirect means our survival and quality of life

Question 10

What is known as latitudinal species diversity gradient?

Answer 10

This refers to phenomenon where species richness increase closer to the equator . Species richness tends to decrease at higher altitudes and increase at lower altitudes

Question 11

True or false: does the language also follow the latitudinal diversity gradient . Where the lower the altitudes the more divers the language and the higher the altitudes the less diverse?

Answer 11

True

Question 12

The interaction between biodiversity and society .

Answer 12

Studies shows that areas with rich biodiversity tend to be poorer and are providing for majority of the world .

Question 13

What can you say about the interaction between biodiversity and society

Answer 13

It is a multifaceted and complex interaction that can hugely affect conservation efforts and strategies

Question 14

Why do conservation efforts and humans disagree

Answer 14

Because humans often focus on immediate benefits and not often the long term . Hence conservation efforts tend to be a disruption in receiving and using ecosystem services . There is also a general lack of knowledge and awareness about the need to conserve biodiversity

Question 15

Mechanisms of biodiversity formation(what drives biodiversity formation)
What are the three mechanisms for biodiversity formation ?

Answer 15

1. Speciation.
   2.extinction
2. Migration

Question 16

What is speciation?

Answer 16

This is the formation of new genetically independent species either through splitting of the grandfather species (homogenous)into two genetically independent (different)daughter species or the transformation of old species into new ones over time.

Question 17

True or false : the process that usually drives speciation is environmental conditions

Answer 17

True

Question 18

What is extinction ?

Answer 18

This is the complete disappearance of species from the surface of the earth

Question 19

True or false aside humactivities , extinction is a natural process .

Answer 19

True

Question 20

What can help you understand how extinction occurred

Answer 20

Studying and understanding the fossil records can help you understand how extinction occurred .

Question 21

What is migration/dispersal ?

Answer 21

The is the gradual spread/movement of species over a period of time to new geographic locations in response to changes in environmental conditions. This promotes gene flow which is crucial fr genetic diversity

Question 22

What is Anthropocene

Answer 22

This is a a proposed geological time that begins with severe human impacts on earth and is still ongoing. During this time humans have impacted geology,landscape,ecosystems,climate .

Question 23

What is the biggest driver of biodiversity loss patterns in the Anthropocene

Answer 23

In order : habitat change
Over exploitation
Species invasion
Climate change
Pollution

Question 24

What can you say about habitat change

Answer 24

The more intensive land use the more intensive biodiversity loss is. This includes , habitat loss, fragmentation and degradation this causes the species to loose essential resources they need to survive. These can also isolate species reducing genetic diversity and while some may be able to adapt quickly to new habitat conditions or be able to migrate to much more suitable areas . There are some that are completely lost during this process due to stress and inability to adapt to new conditions.

Eg . The clearing of forests in south east Asia for palmoil has led to the habitat loss and gradual extinction of orangutans

Question 25

What can you say about over exploitation?

Answer 25

This s when human activities reduces populations much faster than they can reproduce which can lead to extinction and disrupt food webs which leads to disrupting the entire ecosystem.eg: overfishing species like tuna , cod etc.

Question 26

What can up you say about Invasions

Answer 26

This is the introduction of invasive species into an ecosystem through human activities . Here the invasive species compete with local species for essentials sources and some prey on the locAl species leading global to disruptions in the ecosystem, decline in population and ultimately extinction.
Eg. The introduction of the brown tree snake to Guam led to the extinction of many native birds, because there were no natural predators for the snakes on the island

Question 27

What can you say about climate change?

Answer 27

This is the alteration of the ecosystems that species are accustomed to . This causes stress to individual species forcing them to either migrate to suitable conditions causing disruptions in the food web . In cases where the species is unable to move there is a decline in population, leading to extinction. Changes in climate also affect breeding and food availability.

Eg. Polar bears are struggling due to ice melting which they depend on for hunting seals.

Question 28

What can you say about pollution ?

Answer 28

Pollution of all types degrades ecosystems,it can poison species, disrupt food changes, cause genetics mutations, leading to extinction and disruption in ecosystems.

Eg; the use of DDT affect bird populations as they get them through food chains weakening egg shells

Question 29

True or false: there have been several actions to conserve biodiversity however there has still been little progress .

Answer 29

True

Question 30

What is a brief description of 10 point plan (10PP) for funding biodiversity.

Answer 30

This is an initiative involving over 40 countries that highlights critical urgency in closing biodiversity financing gap.

Question 31

What did Sweden pledge at COP 15?

Answer 31

Pledged 400million dollars to the GEF8 replenishment.

Question 32

What are the three goals established from 23 targeted fromthe global biodiversity conference (COP15)

Answer 32

By 2030:
Protect 30% of the earths lands, oceans, coastal areasinland water
Cut food waste in half
Reduce by 500 billion $ annual harmful government subsidies