SG 8 Flashcards
What is biodiversity? List and describe the three levels of biodiversity. Why is depressed genetic diversity a concern?
All the diversity of life that exists on the planet. Species diversity, Genetic and Genetic Diversity
- Differences among individuals within a given species. (Tigers, Mules, cheetah, elephant seal, bison)
Ecosystem Diversity- Refers to the number and variety of ecosystems. Not easy. 8.7 million some are tiny.
Distinguish between extinction and extirpation. Recognize that extirpation is an erosive process that can lead to extinction.
Extinction - Last member of a species dies.
Expiration - Disappearance of a particular population but not the entire species globally.
A nature process.
What is believed to be the cause of the sixth mass extinction? How do estimates of the current extinction rate compare to the background rate of extinction? How are these estimate determined?
6th Extinction- We are in the mist, occurring because of us, previously natural causes. 1000 species extinct since 1500s. 100 to 1,000 times background rate. Comparing most extreme to least extreme now to previously.
Describe the IUCN Red List? What percentage of species is considered threatened with extinction? Which types of
species are most impacted and why? Where are most species threatened and why? What is the IUCN Green List?
List of species threatened with extinction. 29% threatened
Which types most impacted and why- Bigger animals, specialized organisms, island organ, hunted or harvested species, fresh water,
Green list- successful conservation
What is the living planet index? How has it changed globally since 1970?
Measure of the state of the world’s biodiversity by tracking trends in population size. Decline was 52% 70s-2010.
Describe the six causes of biodiversity loss (hint: HIPOCA)? Which of these is considered the two greatest causes of biodiversity loss? What are two important indirect drivers of biodiversity loss?
HIPOC + A
Alterations of ecosystems
- Habitat loss is biggest of biodiversity loss.
- Invasive species. (gypsy moth, long horn beetle, starling, sudden oak death)
Indirect drivers are pop growth and consumption
Describe how invasive species impact ecosystems. How can we can help lessen their impacts?
Loss of habitat and food for native insects, birds and other wild life.
Disruption of native plant animal associations. Pollination, seed dispersal, host plant relationships.
Bring back the natives.
What organisms are most susceptible to over-harvesting and why?
K selected species most susceptible. Long lived reproduce later like birds and mammals. Elephants, tigers , rhinos, sharks, gorilla in danger!
How is/will climate change affect biodiversity loss? Give examples of species already affected by climate change and the phenological changes that are taking place.
Phenology is the study of periodic plant and animal life cycle events and how these are influenced by seasonal and interannual variations in climate, as well as habitat factors (such as elevation)
Species are shifting ranges, distributions and
phenologies
-Moving towards the poles and upwards in elevation
-Spring arriving 15 to 30 days earlier and Fall later
Temperature rise affect amphibian and reptile sexual determination
Changes in precipitation and extreme weather events
- Pest invasions, tree mortality, fires
- Increases in transport of nutrient and other pollutants
Range shifts can result in new community assemblages
-New invasions and spread of invasive species
Describe and give examples of benefits of biodiversity such as maintenance of ecosystem function, food security,
medicines, human health, biomimicry, economics benefits, and biophilia.
Ecosystem services are free
We couldn’t replicate them or
would need to pay $$$
ecosystem services = 16 to
54 trillion dollars/year
> GDP of all nations combined
100s times the value of same
areas converted for direct
exploitation
Vital for our survival
-Link between biodiversity and
poverty
15/24 being degraded or used
unsustainably
Biodiversity Helps Maintain
Ecosystem Function
High levels of biodiversity increase the:
- Resistance or stability of communities and ecosystems
- Resilience of ecosystems
- Ability to weather and bounce back from disturbance or stresses or adapt to change
- Keystone, ecosystem engineers, foundations species play important roles
-Decrease diminishes ecosystems ability to function and provide needed services
Biodiversity Enhances Food Security
-Many species not commonly used for food could be
- Promotes genetic diversity within crop species and their relatives
- Enhances agriculture
- Provides insurance against losses of prevalent strains of staple crops
25-50% of medicines in US come from nature Biomimicry
- Studies nature’s best ideas and imitates these designs and processes to solve human problems
- Nature has already solved many of the problems that we face/things we want
- Life creates conditions conducive to life
- Emulating nature and the genius in living things is key to sustainability
- Sustainable agriculture, green buildings, industrial ecology and eco-parks; cradle to cradle product design
- Ecotourism is a major contributor to the economy
- Costa Rica, Australia, Belize, Kenya, Tanzania, US National Parks
- Powerful financial incentive to preserve natural areas
- Critics say too many tourists may degrade and disturb wildlife
Benefits of Biodiversity:
- Biophilia and Nature Deficit Disorder
- Biophilia = human love for and attachment to other living things
- E.O. Wilson:“..the connections that human beings subconsciously seek out with the rest of life”
- Evidence for biophilia
- Affinity for parks and wildlife
- Keeping of pets
- Valuing of real estate with landscape views
- “Escaping” to go hiking, birding, fishing, hunting, etc…
- Richard Louv and “Nature Deficit Disorder”
- Alienation from nature may damage childhood development
- Research suggests access to nature is important to health
Describe how biodiversity is considered important from an ethical perspective.
Do other species have intrinsic value
and an inherent right to exist?
Do we have an ethical responsibility to
prevent species extinction?
Understand the theory of island biogeography and describe how it applies to fragmented terrestrial landscapes.
Explains how species diversity patterns arise
-Islands size, distance from the mainland, immigration, extinction
Describe the research findings of Newmark on biodiversity loss in North American National Parks.
What are the implications of these findings for conservation efforts?
Newmark examined records on wildlife sightings in 24 parks
-Focused on larger mammals
42 species disappeared NOT as a result of direct human actions.
Smallest parks showed the greatest # of losses
Largest parks retained greatest #
species
What is meant by cores, corridors, and carnivores? Discuss why this conservation approach is considered important?
Core area - Where they live
Corridors - Pathways to migrate. Connectivity.
Carnivores-
Know the goals and recognize several accomplishments of the Endangered Species Act (ESA). Describe opponents’
criticisms of the law and conservation biologists’ responses to these criticisms.
Prevent people from taking actions and destroying species or habitats.
Forbids trade and products from these species. Prevention of extinctions.
Places species over livelihoods private land development interfered with.
Not many species have been delisted.
