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Questions and Answers
What is the main effect of a highly stratified forest on species diversity?
What is the main effect of a highly stratified forest on species diversity?
Stable environmental climates promote lower biodiversity than unstable climates.
Stable environmental climates promote lower biodiversity than unstable climates.
False
What term describes the total set of environmental factors that determines species distribution?
What term describes the total set of environmental factors that determines species distribution?
Ecological Niche
Deep oceans are characterized by lower diversity of fish and invertebrates due to their _______ environment.
Deep oceans are characterized by lower diversity of fish and invertebrates due to their _______ environment.
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Match the following terms with their definitions:
Match the following terms with their definitions:
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Which of the following factors contributes to decreased risk of extinction for species?
Which of the following factors contributes to decreased risk of extinction for species?
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What does biodiversity primarily refer to?
What does biodiversity primarily refer to?
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Biodiversity only encompasses species diversity.
Biodiversity only encompasses species diversity.
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Higher biodiversity is found in shallow-water areas due to their environmental instability.
Higher biodiversity is found in shallow-water areas due to their environmental instability.
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What are the three levels of biodiversity mentioned?
What are the three levels of biodiversity mentioned?
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What type of species has adaptations that allow them to survive in a wide range of conditions?
What type of species has adaptations that allow them to survive in a wide range of conditions?
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Biodiversity includes diversity within species, between species, and of __________.
Biodiversity includes diversity within species, between species, and of __________.
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Which of the following statements is true about biodiversity?
Which of the following statements is true about biodiversity?
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Match the levels of biodiversity with their descriptions:
Match the levels of biodiversity with their descriptions:
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The Convention on Biological Diversity was established in 1990.
The Convention on Biological Diversity was established in 1990.
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What role does biodiversity play in achieving the Millennium Development Goals?
What role does biodiversity play in achieving the Millennium Development Goals?
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Which of the following is NOT a benefit of biodiversity?
Which of the following is NOT a benefit of biodiversity?
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Habitat diversity has no effect on species diversity.
Habitat diversity has no effect on species diversity.
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What term describes the connections that human beings subconsciously seek with nature?
What term describes the connections that human beings subconsciously seek with nature?
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A diverse topography often leads to increased rates of __________ speciation.
A diverse topography often leads to increased rates of __________ speciation.
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Match the following types of diversity with their descriptions:
Match the following types of diversity with their descriptions:
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Which of the following is a factor that influences habitat diversity?
Which of the following is a factor that influences habitat diversity?
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Mountainous regions can support a variety of environments due to their diverse topography.
Mountainous regions can support a variety of environments due to their diverse topography.
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What is one consequence of habitat diversity on species?
What is one consequence of habitat diversity on species?
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What effect does the presence of seed predators near parent trees typically have?
What effect does the presence of seed predators near parent trees typically have?
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High primary productivity in an ecosystem does not influence its biodiversity.
High primary productivity in an ecosystem does not influence its biodiversity.
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Name one biological cause of biodiversity loss.
Name one biological cause of biodiversity loss.
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The introduction of exotic species can lead to the decimation of indigenous wildlife, as seen with _______ brought to Australia.
The introduction of exotic species can lead to the decimation of indigenous wildlife, as seen with _______ brought to Australia.
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Match the following causes of biodiversity loss with their descriptions:
Match the following causes of biodiversity loss with their descriptions:
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Which of the following statements about seeds transported away from the parent tree is true?
Which of the following statements about seeds transported away from the parent tree is true?
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Biodiversity loss is primarily caused by natural disasters.
Biodiversity loss is primarily caused by natural disasters.
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What role do herbivores play in promoting plant diversity?
What role do herbivores play in promoting plant diversity?
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Which of the following plants is commonly found in South Africa?
Which of the following plants is commonly found in South Africa?
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Co-evolved species can survive independently of each other.
Co-evolved species can survive independently of each other.
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What is the classification for species that are found in only one biogeographic region?
What is the classification for species that are found in only one biogeographic region?
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The fruits of Moabi (Baillonella toxisperma) are eaten, and oil is extracted from the seeds, while the bark is used for __________ purposes.
The fruits of Moabi (Baillonella toxisperma) are eaten, and oil is extracted from the seeds, while the bark is used for __________ purposes.
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What term describes species that are found in three or four biogeographic regions?
What term describes species that are found in three or four biogeographic regions?
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Match the following biogeographic regions with their names:
Match the following biogeographic regions with their names:
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The reduction of elephants in certain countries has positively affected the distribution of the Moabi tree.
The reduction of elephants in certain countries has positively affected the distribution of the Moabi tree.
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What is the major impact of using a limited number of species in industrial agriculture and forestry?
What is the major impact of using a limited number of species in industrial agriculture and forestry?
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Study Notes
Stratification and Biodiversity
- High biodiversity is supported by a highly stratified forest ecosystem.
- Different plant species in each stratum create diverse food sources.
Large Land Areas and Biodiversity
- Large, continuous land areas in tropical zones contribute to high species diversity.
- The Amazon rainforest is an example of a large continuous habitat allowing for large populations and distributions.
- Large populations decrease the risk of extinction.
Environmental Stability and Biodiversity
- Stable short-term environmental climates (days, months, years) promote higher biodiversity.
- Species living in stable environments adapt efficiently to resources.
- Short-term and long-term variability in higher latitudes requires species to become more generalistic, leading to increased survival.
Ecological Niches
- Ecological niche refers to the role a species plays in a community.
- Generalists have broad niches, while specialists have narrow niches.
- Fundamental niche refers to the complete range of resources a species could utilize without competition.
- Realized niche refers to the resources a species actually uses.
Deep Oceans and Biodiversity
- Deep ocean depths offer stable temperature and salinity but have lower fish and invertebrate diversity.
- Shallow waters are environmentally unstable but have high biodiversity.
- Saline lakes have low diversity of aquatic organisms.
Biodiversity- Definition
- Biodiversity encompasses the variety of life on Earth, including the differences between species, within species, and within ecosystems.
- Biodiversity is essential for ecosystem services, human well-being, and cultural identity.
Levels of Biodiversity
- Species diversity: Measures the number or variety of species in a region.
- Genetic diversity: Variation in DNA composition between individuals of a species.
- Ecosystem diversity: Variety within and between communities, habitats, and landscapes.
Benefits of Biodiversity
- Biodiversity provides free ecosystem services.
- Biodiversity maintains healthy ecosystem functions.
- Biodiversity enhances food security.
- Biodiversity provides traditional and pharmaceutical products.
- Biodiversity supports tourism and recreation.
- People value and seek connections with nature (biophilia).
Controls of Species Diversity
- Habitat Diversity: Species diversity is positively correlated with habitat diversity.
- Habitat diversity increases resource gradients and niche space.
- Habitat diversity is influenced by physical and biological environmental factors.
- Topography influences habitat diversity at both small and large scales.
Topography and Habitat Diversity
- Undulating landscapes with diverse habitats support higher species diversity than flat, homogeneous habitats.
- Mountainous regions have diverse environments, supporting diverse vegetation and promoting speciation.
- Vegetation structure contributes to habitat diversity, varying horizontally and vertically.
Productivity and Biodiversity
- Regions with high primary productivity have high biodiversity.
- High energy availability allows for specialized niches and a greater diversity of consumer species.
Causes of Biodiversity Loss
- Habitat Loss: Human intervention through fragmentation (roads, dams, settlements) leads to accelerated biodiversity loss.
- Introduction of Exotic Species: Intentional or unintentional introductions can disrupt native ecosystems, causing extinctions.
- Over-harvesting: Poaching, logging, and medicinal plant harvesting contribute to biodiversity loss.
- Co-evolution problems:
- Extinction of one species in a co-evolved relationship can lead to the extinction of the other.
- Homogenization in Agriculture and Forestry: The use of limited species in industry reduces biodiversity.
Biogeographic Regions
- Biogeographic regions define areas with distinct plant and animal communities.
- The world is divided into five major biogeographic regions:
- Nearctic and Palearctic (Holarctic)
- Neotropical
- Ethiopian (African)
- Oriental
- Australian
Biogeographic Distribution Patterns
- Endemic species: Found only in a specific biogeographic region.
- Cosmopolitan species: Found across multiple continents.
- Semi-cosmopolitan species: Found across three or four biogeographic regions.
- Macro-areal species: Have a large range within a biogeographic region.
- Micro-areal species: Have a small range within a biogeographic region.
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Description
Explore the intricate relationships between biodiversity and various environmental factors such as stratification, land area, and ecological niches. This quiz delves into how these elements contribute to the stability and diversity of species, particularly in forest ecosystems like the Amazon rainforest. Test your knowledge on the roles species play and the importance of large, stable habitats.
