Topic 4: Conservation and Biodiversity Vocabulary and Review

Name: ______Period: ______score:_____/20

  • There have been a series of mass extinctions in the past.
  • A complex ecosystem, with its variety of nutrient and energy pathways, provides stability; thus diversity promotes resilience.
  • Human activities modify succession and habitats, for example, logging, grazing, and burning.
  • Human activities often simplify ecosystems, rendering them unstable.

Vocabulary:

1. Define the following:

a) Biodiversity

b) species diversity

c) genetic diversity

d) habitat diversity

e) natural selection

f) speciation

g) geographic isolation

h) reproductive isolation

i) plate tectonics

j) evolution

l) co-evolution

n) mass extinction

4.1 Biodiversity in ecosystems

  1. Outline the mechanism of natural selection as a possible driving force for speciation.
  1. Explain how behavioral isolation within populations can lead to the formation of new species. State an example.
  1. Explain how plate activity has influenced evolution and biodiversity.
  1. Explain how diversity changes through succession.
  1. Explain how human food production systems generally affect diversity and stability.

4.2 Evaluating biodiversity and vulnerability

  1. Given the following factors that lead to loss of diversity, suggest which are causing the greatest impact currently. Give specific examples

These include:

a)natural hazard events (for example, volcanoes, drought, ice age, meteor impact)

b)habitat degradation, fragmentation and loss

c)agricultural practices (for example, monoculture, use of pesticides, use of genetically modified species)

d)introduction and/or escape of non-native species

e)pollution

f)hunting, collecting and harvesting.

  1. Why is the current rate of extinction is much higher than the rate of background extinction? Note: It is caused by one species: Humans.
  1. Explain why the rate of loss of biodiversity may vary from country to country depending on the ecosystems present, protection policies and monitoring, environmental viewpoints and stage of economic development.
  1. Explain why tropical rainforests are perceived to be vulnerable. What are th current threats to this biome?
  1. What is the relative value of tropical rainforests in contributing to global biodiversity?

Consider:

a)the vulnerability of other systems

b)the regeneration rate of tropical rainforests

c)total area and species diversity

d)rainforest

e)“green politics”

  1. Examine the fossil record for evidence of mass extinctions in the past, and compare and contrast the possible causes of these to present-day extinctions. The time frame of these periods of extinction should be considered.
  1. Describe and explain the factors that may make species more or less prone to extinction including:

numbers of organisms

degree of specialization

distribution

reproductive potential

reproductive behaviour

trophic level

  1. Outline the factors used to determine a species’ Red List conservation status.

Include:

a)population size

b)reduction in population size

c)numbers of mature individuals

d)geographic range and degree of fragmentation

e)quality of habitat

f)area of occupancy

g)probability of extinction.

  1. Describe the case histories of three different species including: ecological, socio‑political and economic pressures that caused or are causing the chosen species’ extinction

a)one that has become extinct

b)another that is critically endangered

c)a third species whose conservation status has been improved by intervention.

  1. Describe the case history of a natural area of biological significance that is threatened by human activities, including ecological, socio-political and economic pressures that caused or are causing the degradation of the chosen area, and the consequent threat to biodiversity.

4.3 Conservation of biodiversity

  1. State the arguments for preserving a named species and a named habitat. Include the following types of arguments:

a)Ethical

b)Aesthetic

c)genetic resource

d)commercial (including opportunity cost)

e)life-support

f)ecosystem-support functions

  1. Compare and contrast the role and activities of intergovernmental organization: United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), and non‑governmental organizations: the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) and Greenpeace in preserving and restoring ecosystems and biodiversity.
  1. What are the roles and activities of intergovernmental and non‑governmental organizations in preserving and restoring ecosystems and biodiversity? Are they effective?
  1. What was the Rio Earth Summit (1992)?
  1. State and explain the criteria used to design protected areas. Include: size, shape, edge effects, corridors and proximity.
  1. Evaluate the success of a named protected area.
  1. The granting of protected status to a species or ecosystem is no guarantee of protection without community support, adequate funding and proper research. Consider a specific local example.
  1. Discuss and evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of the species-based approach to conservation.

a)The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES)

b)Captive breeding and reintroduction programmes, and zoos

c)Aesthetic versus ecological value.

1