Individual selection and altruism

Question 1

Problems in conservation

Answer 1

Conservation - when we try to protect species or habitats because they’ve become impacted by humans

Human activities change the environment
-Habitat loss
-Climate change
-Pollution
-Invasive species

Consequences
-Reduces population sizes
-Extinction of populations
-Extinction of species
-Loss of ecosystems

Question 2

Extinction risk – correlates

Answer 2

Geographic range size
-Species with smaller geographic ranges are generally at higher risk of extinction than those with larger ranges, as they are more vulnerable to habitat loss, fragmentation, and other threats

Body size
-Larger-bodied species are generally at lower risk of extinction than smaller-bodied species, as they tend to have longer generation times and slower population growth rates

Gestation time
-Species with longer gestation times may be at higher risk of extinction, as they tend to have lower reproductive rates and slower population growth rates

Age at sexual maturity
-Species with longer times to sexual maturity may be at higher risk of extinction, as they tend to have lower reproductive rates and slower population growth rates

Trophic level
-Species that occupy higher trophic levels are generally at higher risk of extinction than those at lower trophic levels, as they are more likely to be impacted by disruptions in food webs and changes in prey availability

Population density
-Species with low population densities may be at higher risk of extinction, as they are more vulnerable to genetic drift and other demographic fluctuations

Human footprint
-Species that are impacted by human activities, such as habitat loss, pollution, and climate change, are generally at higher risk of extinction

Human density
-As human populations grow and expand into new areas, they can disrupt natural ecosystems and increase the risk of extinction for many species

Question 3

Prioritising species

Answer 3

Conservation focuses on evolutionarily distinct species and aim to conserve as wide a range of phylogenetic diversity as possible

Phylogenetic diversity correlates with genetic and functional diversity