exam 2 answers

Question 1

Why would conservationists want to find if there are endangered species in an area that’s being threatened by developers

Answer 1

ESA protects habitat of endangered sp.

Question 2

what was and still is the most contentious but contextually novel provision of the ESA?

Answer 2

b. ESA apples to private land

Question 3

Describe the ESA amendment that made it more palatable for developers

Answer 3

Habitat Conservation Plan
allows substitution of other equivalent areas
or
Safe Harbor Agreement
once agreed, no future changes can be made

Question 4

what must developers do before developing wetland sites

Answer 4

complete assessment and permit application

Question 5

species area curve shape and implications

Answer 5

a. Species-area curve: a convex curve that approaches an asymptote. Can predict how many species are
likely to survive if a certain fraction of area is destroyed.

Question 6

EO Wilson’s half-earth theory and approx percentage predictions

Answer 6

b. EOW used the curve to predict that if we preserve 50% of natural areas, that will preserve about 83% of
species

Question 7

2 EOW examples of societal trends/human actions that will help accomplish his half-earth theory

Answer 7

migration to cities from rural areas
more appreciation of biodiversity
more biotech in agriculture

Question 8

3 characteristics of ecosystems most favored to protect and why

Answer 8

b. Three of: biodiversity hotspots, hotspots of endemism, threatened ecosystems, and say why

Question 9

where was gap analysis first used and what was it aimed to protect?

Answer 9

d. Hawaii, to protect endemic Hawaiian forest birds

Question 10

How does gap analysis suggest locations for protection

Answer 10

c. Map species distributions want to conserve, and then map all areas that would protect them, and then ask
where there are gaps of no protection, or, conversely, enough areas of protection

Question 11

three characteristics of species most favored to protect + why

Answer 11

a. Three of: endemic species, umbrella species, threatened species, iconic species, keystone species, and say why (often from definition)

Answer 12

Reimburse people for their land, incorporate local people into park management, employ local people as
guides, support financial development near park of ecotourist, health, or educational facilities.

Question 13

define + explain metapopulations

Answer 13

a. Metapopulation = a group of separated (fragmented) populations of a particular species

Answer 14

a. Metapopulation = a group of separated (fragmented) populations of a particular species
b. c = the ease with which recolonization can occur, which reflects mostly the distance between populations
pe = The likelihood of extinction, due to size of the fragments or populations
c. Average equilibrium number of fragments occupied when rate of colonization = rate of extinction
d. Higher equilibrium number of fragments occupied
e. Higher equilibrium number of fragments occupied
f. Higher equilibrium number of fragments occupied