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Questions and Answers
What is habitat destruction defined as?
What is habitat destruction defined as?
Habitat destruction is defined as the complete elimination of a localized or regional ecosystem leading to the total loss of its former biological function.
Name two factors that can cause habitat destruction.
Name two factors that can cause habitat destruction.
Over-population, deforestation, pollution and global warning.
What is habitat fragmentation?
What is habitat fragmentation?
It occurs when remaining populations are isolated because the links between habitat patches have been destroyed.
Why is habitat fragmentation critical for large territorial animals such as elephants?
Why is habitat fragmentation critical for large territorial animals such as elephants?
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What are invasive species?
What are invasive species?
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Give two ways invasive species eliminate native species.
Give two ways invasive species eliminate native species.
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How does genetic pollution occur?
How does genetic pollution occur?
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Why is genetic pollution detrimental to rare species?
Why is genetic pollution detrimental to rare species?
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What is the primary nutrient that Golden Rice is engineered to provide, and why is this significant?
What is the primary nutrient that Golden Rice is engineered to provide, and why is this significant?
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Explain how Bt eggplant is designed to benefit farmers, and identify the specific pest it targets.
Explain how Bt eggplant is designed to benefit farmers, and identify the specific pest it targets.
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Describe the negative impacts of mangrove clearing for fuel wood and prawn farming on marine ecosystems.
Describe the negative impacts of mangrove clearing for fuel wood and prawn farming on marine ecosystems.
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Define poaching, in relation to its impact on wildlife.
Define poaching, in relation to its impact on wildlife.
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Explain how hybridization, while intended to increase yield, can lead to genetic erosion and gene pollution in wild species.
Explain how hybridization, while intended to increase yield, can lead to genetic erosion and gene pollution in wild species.
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Name two natural cycles that benefit from biodiversity.
Name two natural cycles that benefit from biodiversity.
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What is the ethical value of biodiversity centered on?
What is the ethical value of biodiversity centered on?
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What types of marketable goods do we get from biodiversity?
What types of marketable goods do we get from biodiversity?
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How does biodiversity contribute to our well-being, other than providing food and water?
How does biodiversity contribute to our well-being, other than providing food and water?
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What is one way that humans express a sense of aesthetic value for nature?
What is one way that humans express a sense of aesthetic value for nature?
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Give an example of an economically valuable activity directly derived from biodiversity.
Give an example of an economically valuable activity directly derived from biodiversity.
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Why is biodiversity politically important, as exemplified by the Philippines?
Why is biodiversity politically important, as exemplified by the Philippines?
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Why does a 'lack of scientific knowledge' matter, when it comes to biodiversity?
Why does a 'lack of scientific knowledge' matter, when it comes to biodiversity?
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What are two potential consequences of genetic erosion and genetic pollution?
What are two potential consequences of genetic erosion and genetic pollution?
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Name a specific type of biodiversity hotspot particularly vulnerable to global warming.
Name a specific type of biodiversity hotspot particularly vulnerable to global warming.
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How does increased carbon dioxide concentration in the atmosphere affect marine ecosystems?
How does increased carbon dioxide concentration in the atmosphere affect marine ecosystems?
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Besides changing rain patterns, what is another effect of climate change on animals?
Besides changing rain patterns, what is another effect of climate change on animals?
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What is one way that habitat reduction increases the spread of diseases?
What is one way that habitat reduction increases the spread of diseases?
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Give an example of how human activity can worsen 'natural' diseases.
Give an example of how human activity can worsen 'natural' diseases.
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Give an example of how population increase affects natural resources, according to the text.
Give an example of how population increase affects natural resources, according to the text.
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Why is biodiversity conservation important for the maintenance of natural ecological processes? Explain in one short sentence.
Why is biodiversity conservation important for the maintenance of natural ecological processes? Explain in one short sentence.
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Flashcards
Biodiversity
Biodiversity
The variety of life on Earth essential for ecosystems.
Habitat Destruction
Habitat Destruction
Complete loss of an ecosystem leading to biological function loss.
Habitat Fragmentation
Habitat Fragmentation
Isolated populations due to destroyed links between habitat patches.
Invasive Species
Invasive Species
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Ecosystem Services
Ecosystem Services
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Genetic Pollution
Genetic Pollution
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Threats to Biodiversity
Threats to Biodiversity
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Human Over-Population
Human Over-Population
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Golden Rice
Golden Rice
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Bt eggplant
Bt eggplant
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Hybridization
Hybridization
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Genetic erosion
Genetic erosion
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Poaching
Poaching
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Global Warming
Global Warming
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Ecological Value
Ecological Value
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Climate Change Impact
Climate Change Impact
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Aesthetic Value
Aesthetic Value
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Disease Spread
Disease Spread
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Economic Value
Economic Value
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Political Value
Political Value
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Intrinsic Value of Biodiversity
Intrinsic Value of Biodiversity
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Scientific Value
Scientific Value
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Extinction Risk by 2050
Extinction Risk by 2050
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Human Dependency
Human Dependency
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Impact of Carbon Dioxide
Impact of Carbon Dioxide
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Invasive Species Resistance
Invasive Species Resistance
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Study Notes
Biodiversity
- Biodiversity is the variety of life on Earth
- It's essential for maintaining healthy ecosystems
- It ensures the survival of all species, including humans
- It provides essential ecosystem services, such as clean air, water, food, and climate regulation
- Biodiversity faces threats including habitat destruction, climate change, pollution, and exploitation
Threats to Biodiversity
- Habitat Destruction: Complete elimination of an ecosystem, leading to the loss of its biological function
- Factors include overpopulation, deforestation, pollution, and global warming
- Major reasons include industrial activities, mining, cattle rearing, commercial fishing, plantation cropping, and agriculture, dam construction, and encroachment
- Habitat Fragmentation: Isolated populations due to destroyed links between habitat patches
- Critical for large territorial animals like elephants
- Breeding occurs only in large habitats
- Invasion by Exotic Species: Species that breach natural barriers, displacing native species
- They occupy niches, utilize native resources, compete with native species, and introduce diseases
- Examples of invasive species include plants and animals
- Genetic Pollution: Uncontrolled hybridization between rare and abundant species
- Detrimental to rare species
- Leads to the disappearance of rare species due to colonization by more abundant species
- Results in irreversible changes to the genetic pool
- Climate Change: A major threat to global biodiversity
- Coral reefs (biodiversity hotspots) will be lost in 20-40 years if global warming continues
- Higher carbon dioxide concentration in the atmosphere affects plant morphology and acidifies oceans
- Impacts include changes to rainfall patterns, affecting migratory animals and birds
- Biodiversity in polar and mountain regions are vulnerable to climate change
- Human Overpopulation: The primary factor causing depletion of biodiversity
- Global population is 8.2 billion
- Increasing population leads to resource exploitation
- Reduced forest areas
- Increased pollution
Genetically Modified (GM) Crops
- Golden Rice: Genetically modified variety of rice to produce beta-carotene (vitamin A precursor)
- Combats vitamin A deficiency
- Important tool for public health in Southeast Asia
- Bt Eggplant: Developed by the University of the Philippines Los Baños to resist the eggplant fruit and shoot borer
Over-exploitation
- Mangroves have been cleared for fuelwood, decreasing the habitat essential for marine fish breeding
- Poaching: Illegal hunting, capturing, or killing of animals for valuable parts
Hybridization
- The Green Revolution popularized hybridization for increased yield
- Hybrid breeds created in developed countries, then hybridized with local varieties in developing countries to create high-yielding strains resistant to climate and diseases
- This leads to genetic erosion and pollution in wild species, destroying unique genotypes
- Hidden threat to food security and health
Values of Biodiversity
- Intrinsic/Ethical Value: Biodiversity holds inherent value, part of the natural world
- Important for maintaining natural ecological processes (nutrient and water cycles, soil formation, resistance to invasive species) and disasters' recovery
- Ethical value based on respect for life
- Anthropocentric Value: Humans depend on biodiversity for health, well-being, and enjoyment
- Aesthetic Value: Natural landscapes and animals provide opportunities to refresh
- Economic/Market Value: Biodiversity generates benefits that can be valued in market terms, such as fuelwood, honey, etc.
- Political Value: Biodiversity is strategically important for country recognition, with mega-biodiverse countries like the Philippines containing a large percentage of the world's biodiversity
- Scientific Value: Provides opportunities for research work
- Cultural Value: Diverse plants and animals are often central to cultural practices, religions, etc.
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Description
Test your knowledge on habitat destruction, fragmentation, invasive species, and the importance of biodiversity. Explore how these factors influence ecosystems and the ethical considerations surrounding conservation efforts. This quiz is designed for students studying environmental science and conservation topics.