Final Exam Flashcards
Approximately what % of all species have ever existed on plant earth have gone extinct?
> 90%
List 3 wildlife species that have been exploited by wildlife trade. Indicate whether this was legal or illegal trade.
Rhinos = Illegal
Elephants = Illegal
Beavers = Legal
The three types of biodiversity are
- Genetic
- Species
- Ecological
Briefly, what are the two take-home message of Chapter 7 (the engineering rodent) of Shugart’s book?
- Beavers are a keystone species
- There are significant impacts of a removal of a keystone species (soil erosion, loss of other species)
List two species that are ecological equivalents in separate countries (ecological convergence)
Penguins and auks
List things that biodiversity hotspots have in common
1) Found in tropics
2) Close to the equator
3) Lots of sun
4) Rainforests
5) Warm temperatures
6) No glaciers/permafrost
List three species that have been helped through listing on CITIES, or the endangered species act
1) Giraffes
2) Rhinos
3) Gorillas
List the reasons why biodiversity is in decline. Which one is most important?
1) Increase in humans
2) Habitat loss
3) Habitat fragmentation
4) Pollution
5) Over exploitation
6) Global warming
7) Invasive species
8) Diseases
What does MVP stand for?
Minimum viable population
Plants may change the timing of “greening up” in the spring related to ____________. Bird’s time of migration is, instead tied to ________________.
Temperature (plants)
Seasons/sunlight (birds)
What is the difference between a deterministic model and a stochastic model? Which one is more realistic?
Deterministic = simple variables and assumes complete predictability
Stochastic = unexpected variables to estimate a species growth or decline.
Stochastic =more realistic
List the three types of niche described by Shugart? Which one is is most advanced or realistic?
1) Niche focuses on habitat preferences and environmental requirements
2) Niche emphasizes the interactions and ecological role of a species within a community
3) Niche provides a statistical representation of how species are distributed across environmental gradients.
Preference
Interactions
Distribution
Tell the story of the passenger pigeon
The passenger pigeon was a bird species that was abundant in North America. They would say the skies would darken with a passing flock. Due to mass hunting, their populations decreased. People would shoot their shotguns in the air. Species population got so small they stopped breeding with one another because this species was a “communal breeder”, meaning it needed countless individuals to breed.
What is inbreeding? Why is it a threat to biodiversity? List two species that were subject to inbreeding and why?
Inbreeding = species mate with a similarly genetic species within the same population.
Threat = not allow genetic variation with a population -> vulnerability to diseases and lack of adaptability to invasive species or habitat loss
Yew trees and Florida Panther because of habitat loss and fragmentation.
What three things have to happen when a species is listed on Endangered Species List? Explain what each means and how each are implemented.
1) Protection Measures - gains legal protections
2) Critical habitat designation - identify specific areas that are essential - additional regulatory measures on activity that might harm species
3) Recovery planning - develop outline actions - involve habitat restoration and monitoring
What is eutrophication? How might it affect biodiversity? In a CO2 enriched atmosphere what types of plants will thrive and out-compete what other types of plants? Why?
water body = overly enriched with nutrients
1) excessive growth of algaes (algal bloom)
2) Oxygen depletion (killing fish and other organisms)
- C3 plants (oak trees) more efficient carbon-fixation processes
- C4 plants (corn) not
What are some factors that make species vulnerable to extinction? List three threatened or endangered species and why they are low in numbers?
Some factors that make species vulnerable to extinction are habitat loss, pollution, and global warming. Endangered species include:
1) beavers - hunted for the their fur in large amounts
2) seahorses - were hunted to make seahorse dust, which many Asian countries think have healing properties
3) rhinos - hunted for their horns in the ivory trade
What is trophic mismatch. Give an example of how this is happening today?
Trophic mismatch is when two species are not in sync in the ecosystem. An example today is birds and worms. The worms have started to be born sooner because of global warming. The adult birds take this back to their nests but the eggs have not hatched yet. The worms have a trophic mismatch with the eggs hatching.
List and explain three pieces of equipment we have used in habitat measurements in our labs. What are each used to measure?
1) Clinometer: measure the angle of elevation from the ground
2) Densitometer: estimate density of forest canopy
3) Compass: used to indicate direction
4) Diameter Tape: Used to measure the diameter of a tree (at breast height)
5) Wedge Prism: measurement of basal area
What is the difference between top-down and a bottom-up trophic cascade? Give an example of a top-down trophic cascade. Give all the effects of the introduction of a species at the top of top of top trophic level.
Top-down: when a species at the top of the food chain affect the species under them
Bottom-up: when a species at the bottom of the food chain affects the species above them
An example of top-down trophic cascade is when wolves were removed from Yellowstone. There was a boom of deer who overgrazed the woody plants leading to soil erosion. An example of bottom up trophic cascade is a pollinator dying off, reducing the amount of vegetation resulting in a decline of deer which lowers the amount of wolves food supply.
List the three types of stochasticity. What do each of these mean and which affects populations the most?
1) Environmental: random fluctuations in environmental conditions
2) Demographic: random variation in birth and death rates within a population
3) Genetic: random changes in the frequency of alleles in a population
Environmental stochasticity affects populations the most. Unless small, then demographic and genetic.
Draw a species area diagram with two curves with % species on one axis and area on a second axis. Why are there two curves? What does each curve refer too?
Vertical axis: % of species (0% - 100%)
Horizontal axis: Area or Hectares (0-10,000)
Two curves because one is the mainland and other is island. Mainland is greater because species have space to move. Island they have limited space and resources. Each curve is saying there is an exponential decline in species as their habitat is made smaller. We do not see large species decline until almost removing all hectares. This ties into the concept of lag effects, we do not see all the environmental impacts when we alter the ecosystem.
S=c(sub)A(super)z
Why are global amphibian populations declining?
- Consumption by humans
- Acid rain
- Increased UV radiation
- Habitat destruction
How specifically does UV radiation affect amphibians? What is the “UVB factor” more important for some species than others? What kinds of impact does UVB have on individual amphibians? Give an example of how UVB can act synergistically with 2-3 factors to cause declines in amphibian populations.
Since amphibians have thinner skin, they are more prone to UV damage. It creates abnormalities in the DNA, leading to the growing of extra limbs. UVB can act synergistically with habitat destruction (leading to less shade) and pollution like chemical pollutants (weakening their immune system = less protection from UVB radiation)
What are the two biggest take-home messages Shugart’s chapter “The big woodpecker that was too picky” (on Ivory billed woodpeckers)? What is the current status of these woodpeckers?
Current status of these woodpeckers is extinct. Two biggest take-home messages were the mosaic cycle and a reason for a species extinction can be the need for large areas of forest. For example, the ivory billed woodpecker ran out of food sources because there were not enough dead trees.
What is the law of unintended consequences? Give 2 examples of how this law could play out.
Idea that actions or interventions may lead to unexpected/undesirable outcomes (inherent complexity of systems and changes can have ripple effects)
Examples:
1) Introduction of non-native species: Cane toads in Australia to control pests, became a pests itself to native species due to toxic skin
2) Antibiotics in medicine: development of antibiotic-resistant bacteria
What is ocean acidification? How does the ocean become more acidic in relation to more fossil fuel emissions?
Occurs when carbon dioxide (CO2) from the atmosphere is absorbed by seawater, leading to a decrease in the pH of the ocean. Burning of fossil fuels such as coal, oil, and natural gas increase the concentration of CO2, making the ocean more acidic.
What are tiger stripes? How do they form in a landscape?
Tiger stripes in the landscape are best seen in tiger bushes. They are made from processes such as water runoff and competition for resources. It is a visual metaphor to describe landscape patterns. They form from 5 functional zones:
1) Runoff Zone (R): Soil that is difficult for water to penetrate
2) Sedimentation Zone (S): Water penetrates this zone from vegetation, loosening the soil
3) Pioneer Front Zone (P): This is the area with the youngest vegetation
4) Central Zone (C): Tallest vegetation is found in this zone
5) Degraded Zone (D): Vegetation in this zone is dying
(No water pen, water pen, young veg, tall veg, dying veg)
Given a map of a continent and surrounding islands, tell me which has the highest number of species according to Island Biogeography.
Island biogeography suggests that larger islands closer to a mainland source are expected to have higher species diversity compared to smaller, more isolated islands.
Why are ravens a threat to desert tortoises?
Predatory behavior, particularly towards juvenile tortoises. Eat the eggs and hatchlings who have no developed the protective shell and size. Tortoises have low reproductive rates, and the loss of juveniles hinder population recovery. Ravens = highly intelligent
What are human factors have caused ravens to increase?
Development of urban areas and landfills = food resources for ravens = increase in population. Ravens use human structures as nesting sites = better spot potential prey = juvenile desert tortoises more vulnerable
What are some suggested control measures for ravens?
- Scaring devices
- Removing nesting sites
- Structural Modifications
- Waste management
What are neotropical migrant birds?
A group of bird species that breed in North America during the summer and migrate to Central and South America for the winter. Covering thousands of miles to take advantage of the seasonal variations in resource availability and climate.
What are some threats to neotropical migrant birds?
1) Habitat loss and degradation - urbanization, agriculture, and forestry
2) Global warming - temperature and precipitation patterns may disrupt the timing of food availability, migration cues, and nesting conditions
Why is there an association of bachman’s warbler with earthquakes?
The breeding habitat of the warbler is described as areas with dense vegetation, fallen logs, and tangled thickets which occur after an earthquake. Disturbances temporarily yield suitable habitat for the species.
Why is it a challenge to create predictability for Leadbeater’s possums?
Small landscapes, especially those disrupted by large disturbances like wildfires, are deemed unpredictable. This defies the traditional notion of a balanced ecosystem. It is difficult managing species like the Leadbeater’s possum in landscapes subjected to frequent disturbances. For that reason, we should not allow shrinking landscape as it complicates management. Management requires prediction. We lose prediction as we shrink and fragment out landscapes.
What is ecological convergence?
Phenomenon where different species evolve similar traits or characteristics in response to similar environmental challenges or ecological roles.
What are major threats to marine mammals?
1) Whaling
2) Capture for Display
3) Pollution and Toxins
4) Fishing (getting caught)
5) Noise
6) Ship Strikes
7) Disturbances
What is photo ID?
Method of identifying individual animals based on photographs of distinctive features
Ex: Fins, flukes, scars
What does the distance of a mainland to an island reveal about colonization?
Islands that are closer to mainland or = more likely to be colonized by new species
What does the size of an island reveal about extinction?
Larger island = more resilient to extinction
Smaller island = less resilient
What are the types of types of biodiversity (nested hierarchy)?
- Gene
- Species
- Population
- Community
- Ecosystem
- Biosphere
GSPCEB
What are the two components of biodiversity?
- Species Richness = number of species
- Species evenness = relative abundance of individuals among the species
What are examples of mega diversity countries?
Brazil and Indonesia
What is interesting about the global distribution of biodiversity?
Biodiversity is not evenly distributed globally
What are some benefits to biodiversity?
1) Ecological services (clean air, nutrient cycle)
2) Food
3) Drugs and medicine
4) Aesthetic
5) We save ourselves!
How did Erwin try to estimate the number of species on Earth?
1) Collected and studied beetles in trees
2) Extrapolating the number of beetle species found in the tree to the entire rainforest ecosystem
3) Extrapolation was then applied globally
Ideas has been challenged (biodiversity is not equal through out the world)
Why are islands vulnerable to extinctions?
- Limited resources
- Invasive species
What is CITIES?
Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species
International agreement aimed at ensuring that international trade in wild animals and plants does not threaten their survival. Success depends on the collaboration of its member countries.
What is the ESA?
Protect and recover endangered and threatened species and their habitats
What are some problems with the ESA?
- conflicts with landowners, industries, and economic interests
- restrictions on land use and development
- Slow listing rate, populations are declining while waiting, fluctuates with politics, inequitable distribution of funds
What are the stories of the snail darter and spotted owl?
- Snail darter halted a construction of a dam
- Spotted owl halted logging operations
Both had economic consequences (loss of jobs)
How are species listed in the ESA?
1) USFWS designates (not list)
2) Secretary of Interior lists the species
How are species chosen to be listed?
Use the ICUN’s book (good with mammals, not with everything else)
What is PVA and why is it important?
Population viability analysis
Uses demographic, genetic, and environmental data to estimate how various management actions will affect the probability that a population will persist until some future date
What is a metapopulation?
- population of populations
- each population is located in a distinct habitat patch
- connected by individuals moving between patches
What is the most effective method of preserving biodiversity?
Protecting habitat
What are the guidelines conservation biologists developed for designing protected areas?
- areas should be large
- not be fragmented
- managers should create networks of conservation areas
Why are habitat corridors important?
- allow species dispersal to take place
- maintain known migration routes
What might management do for the success of protected areas?
- prohibit certain activities
- work with local people
How are birds about to migrate vast distances without getting lost?
1) Internal clocks (circadian and circannual)
2) Celestial navigation (sun and stars)
3) Magnetic sensitivity (like a compass)
4) Sense polarized light
What is bioregional management?
Cooperation across large regions to manage large ecosystems (usually cross international borders)
What is sustainable development?
Economic development that satisfies the present and future needs of human society while minimizing its impact on biodiversity
How is New Zealand an example of humans having an impact on the environment?
- Polynesian settlers
- Extinction of various bird species (moa)
- Extensive forest clearing, direct human predation, and the introduction of organisms like rats and dogs
