APES: Chapters 8 and 9 Homework

Chapter 8 Sustaining Biodiversity: The Species Approach

1. How are humans affecting the rate of biological extinction?

2. How are extinction rates estimated?

3. How can increasing fragmentation and disturbance of habitats actually lead to speciation?

4. Compare and contrast the following terms: endangered species and threatened species

5. How are species a vital part of the earth’s natural capital?

6. Are we ethically obligated to prevent premature extinction? Support your answer.

7. What is HIPPCO? Briefly describe each in terms of how humans accelerate species extinction.

8. Which habitats are most vulnerable to decreased biodiversity and possibly extinction and why?

9. What is habitat fragmentation?

10. List and briefly describe at least three underlying causes of depletion and premature extinction of wild species.

11. List and briefly describe at least five direct causes of depletion and premature extinction of wild species.

12. Describe how introduced species – deliberately and accidentally introduced – disrupt ecosystems. Give an example of each type of introduced species and their effects on the introduced ecosystems.

13. Describe at least four ways that can reduce threats from invasive species.

14. What are at least four characteristics of successful invader species?

15. What are at least four characteristics of ecosystems vulnerable to invader species?

16. How does poaching threaten biodiversity?

17. What is bus meat?

18. Describe each of the following laws in terms of how they protect wild species from premature extinction: CITES, CBD, ESA

19. Describe each of the following locations in terms of how they protect wild species from premature extinction: US federal wildlife refuge system, seed banks, botanical gardens, zoos and aquariums

20. What is the precautionary principle?

Chapter 9 Sustaining Biodiversity: The Ecosystem Approach

1. What are the two major types of forests based on their age and structure? Briefly describe each.

2. What economic ecological services do forests provide?

3. When humans harvest trees, what environmental problems are caused trying to gain access to those trees?

4. What are the methods used to harvest trees? Briefly describe each.

5. Compare and contrast the following terms: surface fires and crown fires

6. What are the causes of tropical deforestation?

7. List and describe at least four ways in which deforestation can be reduced.

8. What ecological services do grasslands provide?

9. How can over-grazing of grasslands be reduced?

10. How can wilderness be protected?

11. What are the three principles to protect ecosystems? Briefly describe each.

12. What are the steps taken to rehabilitate and restore ecosystems that have been damaged?

13. How are human activities destroying and degrading aquatic biodiversity?

14. Describe the three industrial fish harvesting methods.

15. Why is protecting marine biodiversity difficult? Explain. How can we protect marine biodiversity?