Podcast
Questions and Answers
What defines mass extinctions in the fossil record?
What defines mass extinctions in the fossil record?
- Sudden and dramatic losses in biodiversity (correct)
- Gradual decrease in species diversity
- Seasonal fluctuations in species numbers
- Constant increase in species population
Which event is believed to have caused the extinction of the dinosaurs?
Which event is believed to have caused the extinction of the dinosaurs?
- Impact of a large asteroid (correct)
- Introduction of new predators
- Climate change
- Large volcanic eruptions
What is suggested to be the main cause of the current sixth mass extinction?
What is suggested to be the main cause of the current sixth mass extinction?
- Activities of humans (correct)
- Natural climate change
- Predator-prey imbalance
- Invasive species introduction
Why was the dodo bird an easy prey for sailors?
Why was the dodo bird an easy prey for sailors?
What are the two evolutionary processes that determine the number of species on the planet?
What are the two evolutionary processes that determine the number of species on the planet?
What happened to the Steller’s sea cow that led to its extinction?
What happened to the Steller’s sea cow that led to its extinction?
What happens when speciation rates exceed extinction rates?
What happens when speciation rates exceed extinction rates?
Why did the passenger pigeon decline in numbers?
Why did the passenger pigeon decline in numbers?
At what points in the extinction cycle were the occurrences between two to five percent?
At what points in the extinction cycle were the occurrences between two to five percent?
What is the purpose of the Red List maintained by the IUCN?
What is the purpose of the Red List maintained by the IUCN?
Why are estimates of present-day extinction rates difficult to determine?
Why are estimates of present-day extinction rates difficult to determine?
Which geological period saw a notable spike in extinctions around 450 million years ago?
Which geological period saw a notable spike in extinctions around 450 million years ago?
What leads to dramatic changes in the number of species on Earth according to the text?
What leads to dramatic changes in the number of species on Earth according to the text?
What must be understood better to meet the challenge of preserving biodiversity?
What must be understood better to meet the challenge of preserving biodiversity?
What is the primary purpose of the treaty mentioned in the text?
What is the primary purpose of the treaty mentioned in the text?
Which Act in the United States requires the development of management plans to protect at-risk species?
Which Act in the United States requires the development of management plans to protect at-risk species?
What is one limitation of the international treaty mentioned in the text?
What is one limitation of the international treaty mentioned in the text?
Which agreement aimed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 2012?
Which agreement aimed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 2012?
What is a significant factor driving biodiversity loss according to the text?
What is a significant factor driving biodiversity loss according to the text?
Which country did not ratify the Kyoto Protocol despite its potential impact in reducing greenhouse gas emissions?
Which country did not ratify the Kyoto Protocol despite its potential impact in reducing greenhouse gas emissions?
What is the estimated percentage of Earth's land surface that was covered by preserves according to the IUCN World Parks Congress in 2003?
What is the estimated percentage of Earth's land surface that was covered by preserves according to the IUCN World Parks Congress in 2003?
'Banff National Park' is mentioned in the text in relation to what conservation effort?
'Banff National Park' is mentioned in the text in relation to what conservation effort?
What happens if an at-risk species is listed by the Acts mentioned in the text?
What happens if an at-risk species is listed by the Acts mentioned in the text?
In what sector is international cooperation most critical according to the text?
In what sector is international cooperation most critical according to the text?
What does the background extinction rate estimate of 1 per million species years mean?
What does the background extinction rate estimate of 1 per million species years mean?
Why might the contemporary extinction-rate estimates be underestimated?
Why might the contemporary extinction-rate estimates be underestimated?
How does habitat loss correlate with species loss?
How does habitat loss correlate with species loss?
What is the predicted extinction rate by the end of the century?
What is the predicted extinction rate by the end of the century?
What is the relationship between an island's area and the number of species present on it?
What is the relationship between an island's area and the number of species present on it?
What has been an approach to estimating present-time extinction rates based on habitat loss?
What has been an approach to estimating present-time extinction rates based on habitat loss?
What does the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) treaty aim to do?
What does the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) treaty aim to do?
How do legislative approaches contribute to biodiversity preservation?
How do legislative approaches contribute to biodiversity preservation?
What is one limitation of contemporary extinction-rate estimates?
What is one limitation of contemporary extinction-rate estimates?
Why might some now extinct species have gone unnoticed in written history?
Why might some now extinct species have gone unnoticed in written history?
What is the main purpose of identifying biodiversity hotspots?
What is the main purpose of identifying biodiversity hotspots?
Which of the following criteria was originally used to define a biodiversity hotspot?
Which of the following criteria was originally used to define a biodiversity hotspot?
Why are large conservation preserves considered better for maintaining biodiversity?
Why are large conservation preserves considered better for maintaining biodiversity?
What is the purpose of wildlife corridors between two preserves?
What is the purpose of wildlife corridors between two preserves?
Why is the shape of a conservation preserve important?
Why is the shape of a conservation preserve important?
What is one common issue faced by tropical preserves?
What is one common issue faced by tropical preserves?
How does climate change affect the location of preserves?
How does climate change affect the location of preserves?
What is a potential consequence of strict wildlife protection policies within preserves?
What is a potential consequence of strict wildlife protection policies within preserves?
What do conservation preserves reinforce?
What do conservation preserves reinforce?
What principle does much of the research on optimal preserve designs rely on?
What principle does much of the research on optimal preserve designs rely on?
What is a recognized issue with captive breeding programs for endangered species?
What is a recognized issue with captive breeding programs for endangered species?
What is a positive impact of zoos on conservation efforts?
What is a positive impact of zoos on conservation efforts?
What has been the trend in people's attitudes and actions regarding conservation due to zoos?
What has been the trend in people's attitudes and actions regarding conservation due to zoos?
Why are zoo facilities considered inadequate for housing all endangered species for breeding programs?
Why are zoo facilities considered inadequate for housing all endangered species for breeding programs?
What is the main difference between the effectiveness of captive breeding programs and education in zoos?
What is the main difference between the effectiveness of captive breeding programs and education in zoos?
Based on the information provided, what can be inferred about the golden lion tamarin?
Based on the information provided, what can be inferred about the golden lion tamarin?
What is the role of habitat restoration in maintaining or restoring biodiversity?
What is the role of habitat restoration in maintaining or restoring biodiversity?
Why was the reintroduction of wolves to Yellowstone National Park significant?
Why was the reintroduction of wolves to Yellowstone National Park significant?
What is the role of a keystone species in an ecosystem?
What is the role of a keystone species in an ecosystem?
Why are dam removal projects considered beneficial for ecosystems?
Why are dam removal projects considered beneficial for ecosystems?
What has been a major focus of ecologists concerning biodiversity preservation?
What has been a major focus of ecologists concerning biodiversity preservation?
What is the primary objective of zoos involved in conservation efforts?
What is the primary objective of zoos involved in conservation efforts?
How did the reintroduction of wolves affect elk populations in Yellowstone National Park?
How did the reintroduction of wolves affect elk populations in Yellowstone National Park?
What happens when a keystone species is removed from an ecological community?
What happens when a keystone species is removed from an ecological community?
What is the significance of dam removal projects for fish populations?
What is the significance of dam removal projects for fish populations?
What change did the reintroduction of wolves bring to riparian areas in Yellowstone National Park?
What change did the reintroduction of wolves bring to riparian areas in Yellowstone National Park?
