Lecture 5 Biodiversity and Conservation

Question 1

Inbreeding Depression

Answer 1

genetically similar parents mate and produce inferior offspring
happens due to lack of genetic diversity
purebred dogs are suffering!

Question 2

Species Diversity

Answer 2

the number or variety of species in a particular region
greater number of species interactions often leads to greater ecosystem resilience

Question 3

species richness

Answer 3

the number of species

Question 4

latitudinal gradient of species diversity

Answer 4

species richness increases towards the equator

Question 5

endangered species

Answer 5

are those considered in imminent danger of extinction

Question 6

threatened species

Answer 6

are those that are likely to become endangered, at least locally, within the foreseeable future

Question 7

vulnerable species

Answer 7

are naturally rare or have been locally depleted by human activities to a level that puts them at risk

Question 8

umbrella species

Answer 8

a species that, when protected also help protect other, less charismatic species
often large species that need large amounts of habitat
protecting their habitat automatically protects others

Question 9

conservation biology

Answer 9

study of factors behind the loss, protection, and restoring of biodiversity
conservation biologists integrate evolution, extinction, ecology, and environmental systems to develop solutions to habitat degradation and species loss

Question 10

biodiversity hotspots

Answer 10

biodiversity hotspots are regions that contain a high level of species diversity, many endemic species (species not found anywhere else in the world) and a significant number of threatened or endangered species