Module 3 and 4 Flashcards
Why is biodiversity not evenly distributed?
Tropics account for 40% but are host to 80% of the worlds biodiversity
What is allopatric speciation?
Geographic barrier
What is parapatric speciation?
Partial spatial isolation
What is peripatric speciation?
Isolation at the periphery
What is sympatric speciation?
Genetic polymorphism/reproductively isolated
What are high risk scenarios for extinction?
Narrow geographic range
One of few populations
Small population
Island habitat
What are consequences of exticntion?
Loss of biodiversity
Decrease water and air quality
Increased extreme weather events and climate change
Loss of cultures
What is the IUCN Red list?
An indicator fro the health of the world’s biodiversity
What are th top three threats to biodiversity in Australia?
- Invasive species
- Ecosystem modification
- Agriculture
What are some reasons for habitat loss?
Development
Clearing land for agriculture
Water diversion
Logging
What is a consequence of fragmentation?
Lack of movement among fragments increases inbreeding and decreased genetic diversity
What is an example of habitat loss?
Tigers have lost habitat due to palm oil production putting them in closer proximity with humans
What is habitat degradation?
When habitat conditions decline
What causes habitat degradation?
Pollution, human recreation and nutrient loading
What is resource overxploitation?
Hunting, fishing or collecting so many individuals from a species that it can no longer reproduce quickly enough
What is an example of climate change impacts on animals?
Elephants have less food as fruiting events occur less often as they need lower temperatures
What are invasive species?
Introduced or non-native species which become overpopulated
What are characteristics of invasive species?
Fast growth
Rapid reproduction
High dispersal ability
Adapt well to human modified ecosystems
What is an example of a non-invasive introduced species?
The cabomba weevil that is used to reduce the cabomba weed in Australia
What are the three scales of conservation?
Species approach
Ecosystem approach
Hotspot approach
What are distinctive species?
Species only in its genus or family
What are utilitarian species?
Species that have utility or value to people
What are keystone species?
Species that play a crucial role in the way an ecosystem functions
What are flagship species?
Species that act as ambassadors or symbols
What are bioindicator species?
Species that are useful targets for observing the health of an ecosystem
What are umbrella species?
Species selected for making conservation-related decision
What is an example of species approach conservation?
The black robin had 7 birds left in the wild, they were moved to a more suitable environment and implemented conservation techniques such as feeding stations to supplement diet, currently over 300 black robins
What does ex-situ mean?
Off site
What does in-situ mean?
On site
What makes an area a hotspot?
Has to have more than 1500 plants which are endemics and has to have less than 30% of original plants
What is the edge effect?
Edges of the areas experience elevated disturbance which in turn reduces the size of natural population
Which shape minimises the edge effect?
Round shapes
What is citizen science?
Getting citizens involved with identifying animals on camera
What are camera traps?
Remote digital cameras that take photos or videos when a sensor is triggered by the movement of an animal
What are the benefits of camera traps?
Wildlife friendly
Can watch an area for weeks to months
Less expensive
What are the benefits of GPS?
Remotely observe relatively fine-scale movement and migratory patterns
What are accelerometers?
Small battery powered sensors that record acceleration in 3 spatial axes
What is utilitarianism?
Activities that have an adverse impact on some may be justified if it leads to a net increase in welfare for the majority
What is deontology?
Morality is based on whether an action is right or wrong rather than the consequences of the action
What is contractarianism?
Ethical obligations originate in mutual agreements or contract between people
What is relational view?
Ethical importance of relationship between animals and humans
What is respect for nature?
We have a duty to protect not just individual animals but the species to which they belong
What is the moral classification of animals?
- Sentient - aware of their existence
- Sentient - not self aware
- Inanimate - objects and insentient organisms
What does sentience mean?
The capacity to experience suffering and pleasure
What is speciesim?
A prejudice in favour of the interests of one’s own species over those of other species
Who must be on an animal ethics committee?
Veterinarian
Animal researcher
Person with a demonstrated commitment to animal welfare
Independent who does not fit the other categories
What are the three Rs for animal ethics?
Replace - the use of animals whenever possible
Reduce - the number of animals needed
Refine - tests to cause animals the least amount of distress
What are the five things in the five domain model?
Nutrition
Environment
Health
Behaviour
Mental health
What is natural behaviour?
Behaviour typically observed in the wild which allows an individual to survive more easily
What is normal behaviour?
Natural or unnatural behaviour which promotes success and survival and is appropriate to the situation
What is unnatural behvaiour?
Behaviour not seen in the wild but is not necessarily abnormal if it promotes success in their environment
What is abnormal behaviour?
Behaviour rarely seen in the wild and does not promote success or survival
What are the 7 types of enrichment?
Food, structural, social, cognitive, noise, scents, novel objects
What are the steps to designing enrichment?
Setting goals
Planning
Implementing
Documenting
Evaluating
Re-adjusting
SPIDER
What was the brown dog affair?
A live brown dog was operated upon in order to find out how certain procedures would affect it
What were the results of the brown dog affair?
The anti-vivisection society said the procedure was cruel and unlawful whilst university staff said that the research led to the discovery of hormones
What are the three broad
categories of intervention for human wildlife conflict?
Wildlife, habitat and separation, and people
What is an example of overexploitation?
Over harvesting of the North sea Cod
