Drivers of biodiversity decline Flashcards

You may prefer our related Brainscape-certified flashcards:
1
Q

What are the 4 drivers of biodiversity decline?

A
  1. Overexploitation
  2. Habitat loss and fragmentation
  3. Introduced species
  4. Chain of extinction
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

Give an example of overexploitation

Which species are most vulnerable and why?

A

Hunting - large species are most vulnerable, they have slow reproductive rates, they move more slowly and provide more food
Decline in large species fits with the timing of human colonisation

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

Define habitat loss and fragmentation

A

Loss of habitat area and therefore a loss of species

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

Why is one large reserve better than many small ones?

A

The edge effect - one large reserve removes the amount of edge meeting matrix (e.g. agricultural land)
Corridors between reserve patches allow movement

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

Why do introduced species cause a decrease in population?

A
  • Species that evolve in isolation may not have resistance to disease or predation
  • Some traits predispose some species to be better competitiors than the native species
  • Ecosystem level effects
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

What is the chain of extinction?

Give an example

A

Serial effects e.g. Sea lion population crashes, killer whales start eating sea otters, kelp forests disappear

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly