Topic 4: Conservation and Biodiversity

Question 1

Biodiversity

Answer 1

the number of species of different animals and plants in the same area at the same time

Question 2

Genetic diversity

Answer 2

range of genetic material present in a species or population

Question 3

species diversity

Answer 3

Number of different species within a habitat

Question 4

Habitat diversity

Answer 4

number of different habitats per unit area

Question 5

Natural selection

Answer 5

the process in which a particular species adapts itself to the environment it lives in, in order to have an advantage over those who have not adapted

Question 6

Speciation

Answer 6

When species are formed by gradual change over a long period of time.

Question 7

Isolation

Answer 7

After an extended period of time that a particular group has been separated from the original species they were a part of, it leads to them becoming unable to reproduce with the original species.

Question 8

Layers of the Earth

Answer 8

Core
Mantle
Crust

Question 9

Continental drift

Answer 9

The process of tectonic plates moving 50 and 100mm per year
results in new habitats, species have to adapt to new climatic conditions

Question 10

Motion of continental drift

Answer 10

Sliding across
Diverge
Converge
Sliding underneath

Question 11

Ecosystem stability

Answer 11

Refers to the ability of the ecosystem to remain stable by maintaining biodiversity and environmental harmony between different organisms

Question 12

Succession

Answer 12

A following of events or ranks in a sequence of time.

Question 13

Factors affecting biodiversity

Answer 13

Natural hazards
Habitat loss
Overexploitation of resources
Agriculture
Pollution
Introduction of invasive species

Question 14

Extinction rate

Answer 14

Natural extinction rate of all species
We are currently on the 6th Mass extinction of the History of the planet
The amount of species becoming extinct is growing and growing due to factors affecting their habitat and environment

Question 15

Factors that affect extinction rate of a species

Answer 15

Geographical range (lives in one place)
Small population size
Low population density
Large bodied species
Low reproduction rate
Seasonal migrants
Niche requirements

Question 16

IUCN red list

Answer 16

List of threatened species ranked by the level of threat to the specie

Question 17

NGO

Answer 17

Non-governmental Organisation
Use of media- raw footage to garner attention
fast respond time
Low- no political agenda
No legal power

Question 18

GO

Answer 18

Governmental Organization
Use of media- high with ready-made statements
Slow speed of response
High political involvement

Question 19

factors for designing a conservation area

Answer 19

Size of area
Number of population
Fragmentation
Edge effects
Shape of the area
Proximity to other reserves and humans

Question 20

Approaches to conservation

Answer 20

Species based, in situ and ex situ.
In situ being in the species’ natural habitat and ex situ being in conservation
Habitat based
Mixed approach

Question 21

Species based Conservation strategies

Answer 21

CITES (The convention on international trade of endangered animals)
Captive breeding and reintroduction programs and zoos
election of charismatic/ flagship species to help protect other in an area
Selection of keystone species to protect the integrity of the food web

Question 22

CITES

Answer 22

International agreement in 1973 to regulate trade of endangered species of plants and animals

Question 23

Captive breeding and reintroduction of programs and zoos

Answer 23

Zoos priorities species for conservation
Factors:
Which species?
In situ or ex situ
Will intervention be helpful
Experts

Question 24

Flagship and charismatic species

Answer 24

Species that appeal to the masses and aim to capture the attention of the media and public, therefore generate a desire on a global scale to donate funds

Question 25

Keystone species

Answer 25

Species that play a vital role in maintaining the proper functioning of an ecosystems
Hard to identify due to complexity of ecosystems
without them, the ecosystem could collapse