Exam 3 Flashcards
Biodiversity
What are the three main levels of biodiversity?
Species diversity, genetic diversity, and ecosystem diversity
Why is biodiversity important for ecosystem resilience?
Greater biodiversity allows ecosystems to recover from disturbances more effectively
Name three essential ecosystem services provided by biodiversity.
Pollution, water purification, and carbon sequestration
What is the significance of genetic diversity?
It enable species to adapt to environmental changes and resist diseases.
Give an example of how biodiversity benefits humans culturally or economically.
Ecotourism (Safaris in Africa, snorkeling in coral reefs)
What is an invasive species?
A non-native species that disrupts ecosystems by outcompeting native species
Give an example of an invasive species and its impact.
Zebra mussels clog water pipes and outcompete native mussels in the Great Lakes
How does habitat destruction affect biodiveristy?
It reduces available resources, isolates populations, and increases extinction risk.
What is habitat fragmentation?
The division of large habitats into smaller, isolated patches.
How does overharvest threaten biodiversity?
It depletes populations faster than they can recover, leading to extinction.
Give an example of overharvest.
Overfishing of cod in the North Atlantic caused population collapse.
What is freshwater scarcity, and why is it a biodiversity threat?
The depletion of freshwater sources, which affects aquatic and terrestrial species.
Name a real-world example of freshwater scarcity.
The Aral Sea has shrunk due to excessive water diversion.
Define species richness.
The number of different species in an area.
Define species evenness.
The relative abundance of each species in an area.
What is an endemic species?
A species found only in a specific location.
What is a keystone species?
A species that has a disproportionately large effect on its ecosystem.
What is a biodiversity hotspot?
A region with high biodiversity that is under threat.
Name one biodiversity hotspot.
The Amazon Rainforest
What is an ecological niche?
The role a species plays in an ecosystem.
What are trophic levels?
The hierarchical levels in a food chain (producers, consumers, decomposers).
Habitat Restoration
Reforestation, wetland resortation, coral reef rehabilitation
Wilflife Corridors
Connecting fragmented habtitats to allow species movement
Invasive Species Control
Removal programs, biological control, strict import regulations.
What is speciation?
The process by which new species arise
What is adaptive radiation?
The rapid evolution of many species from a common ancestor
Give an example of adaptive radiation.
Darwin finches in the Galapagos island
What is co-evolution?
The mutal evolutionary influence between two interacting species
Give an example of co-evolution.
Pollinators and flowers evolving together
What is extinction?
The permant loss of a species.
What is a protected area?
A designated region where human activity is limited to conserve biodiversity.
Give an example of a protected area
Yellowstone National Park
What is habitat restoration?
The process of repairing degraded ecosystems.
Give an example of a habitat restoration project.
Coral reef rehabilitation in the Great Barrier Reef.
What are wildlife corridors?
Pathways that connect fragmented habitats to allow species movement.
What is sustainable resource use?
Using natural resources in a way that does not deplete them for future generations.
Give an example of sustainable resource use.
Selective logging instead of clear-cutting forests.
How can invasive species be controlled?
Removal programs, biological control, import regulations.
What happened when wolves were reintroduced to Yellowstone?
They helped restore ecosystem balance by controlling elk populations.
How do marine protected areas (MPAs) help biodiversity?
They increase fish populations and protect marine life.
Why are small, isolated populations more vulnerable to extinction?
They have lower genetic diversity and are more affected by environmental changes.
What role does Island Biogeography Theory play in conservation?
It helps predict species richness based on habitat size and isolation.
How does climate change impact biodiversity?
It alters habitats, shifts species ranges, and increases extinction risk.
What is an example of a species that has been driven to extinction by human activity?
The dodo bird
Why is genetic diversity important in conservation?
It allows species to adapt to changing environments.
What is the difference between conservation and preservation?
Conservation allows sustainable use of resources; preservation restricts human activity.
Why are top predators important for biodiversity?
They regulate prey populations and maintain ecosystem balance.
What characteristics make a species more likely to become invasive?
Fast reproduction, high dispersal ability, generalist diet, and tolerance to different environments.
How do invasive species outcompete native species?
By using resources more efficiently, lacking natural predators, and spreading aggressively.
How do invasive plants affect ecosystems?
A: They outcompete native plants, reduce biodiversity, and alter soil chemistry.
How do invasive species impact food webs?
They can remove key prey or predator species, disrupting ecosystem balance.
What is one method for controlling invasive species?
A: Introducing natural predators or diseases that specifically target the invasive species.
What human activities cause habitat destruction?
Deforestation, urbanization, agriculture, and mining.
Why does habitat fragmentation reduce biodiversity?
It isolates populations, making gene flow difficult and increasing local extinctions.
How does habitat fragmentation affect large predators?
A: It reduces their hunting ranges, leading to population declines.
What is an edge effect?
A: Changes in environmental conditions along the boundaries of fragmented habitats, which can harm species.
How does deforestation contribute to climate change?
It reduces carbon sequestration, increasing atmospheric CO₂.
How does road construction impact biodiversity?
A: It disrupts animal migration and increases roadkill incidents.
What are some solutions to habitat fragmentation?
Wildlife corridors, habitat restoration, and land-use planning.
What are the main causes of overharvest?
Overfishing, illegal hunting, poaching, and unsustainable logging.
How does the pet trade contribute to biodiversity loss?
A: It removes wild animals from their habitats, leading to population declines.
What is sustainable harvesting?
Using resources at a rate that allows populations to replenish.
What are the major causes of freshwater scarcity?
A: Overuse, pollution, climate change, and inefficient water management.
How does agriculture contribute to freshwater scarcity?
High water demand for irrigation and pollution from fertilizers.
How does water pollution impact freshwater biodiversity?
It reduces water quality, harming fish, amphibians, and invertebrates.
What are some ways to reduce freshwater scarcity?
A: Water conservation, improved irrigation, pollution control, and desalination.
How does climate change threaten biodiversity?
Rising temperatures, habitat loss, extreme weather events, and ocean acidification.
How does global warming affect coral reefs?
A: It causes coral bleaching, leading to reef degradation.
