Threats to Biodiversity

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What are the three greatest proximate threats to biodiversity?

Volcanic eruptions, earthquakes, and landslides

Pollution, deforestation, and urbanization

Disease, drought, and floods

Habitat loss, overharvesting, and introduction of exotic species (correct)

Which of the following is a major cause of extinction mentioned in the text?

Sustainable resource management

Human-caused climate change (correct)

Preservation efforts

Increased biodiversity

What is the consequence of human population needs for energy according to the text?

Global climate change (correct)

Introduction of new species

Decrease in biodiversity

Toxic pollution effects on species

What do carbon dioxide levels fluctuate between historically?

180-280 parts per million Signup and view all the answers

Which environmental issue has specific targeted effects on species but is not seen as a major threat to biodiversity in the text?

Toxic pollution Signup and view all the answers

What is predicted to become even more significant in this century according to the text?

Human-caused climate change Signup and view all the answers

What has caused a dramatic increase in carbon dioxide levels in the Earth's atmosphere?

Burning of fossil fuels Signup and view all the answers

Which organization certifies sustainably harvested forest products to prevent habitat destruction?

Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) Signup and view all the answers

What percentage of global forest cover was estimated to be lost from 2000 to 2005, with most loss occurring in the tropics due to timber extraction?

3.1% Signup and view all the answers

What is one of the main uses of palm oil, leading to deforestation in areas like Borneo and Sumatra?

Food products Signup and view all the answers

What does the text suggest is a significant impact of adding greenhouse gases to the Earth's atmosphere?

Climate change Signup and view all the answers

Why is habitat loss particularly threatening to species other than humans?

They cannot survive without their specific habitat. Signup and view all the answers

How has human destruction of habitat accelerated in the latter half of the twentieth century?

By increasing habitat loss Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of pumping water into tanks on a ship from the port of origin?

To increase stability of the ship Signup and view all the answers

Which species was introduced to the Great Lakes from Europe in ballast water?

Zebra mussels Signup and view all the answers

What has been the impact of zebra mussels on the Great Lakes?

Created millions of dollars in clean-up costs Signup and view all the answers

What has been the ecological impact of zebra mussels on the Great Lakes?

Threatened native mollusk populations Signup and view all the answers

Which disease organism is linked to the global decline in amphibian species?

Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis Signup and view all the answers

How was the fungus Geomyces destructans, responsible for white-nose syndrome in bats, likely introduced to North America?

Unintentionally brought by recreational cavers from Europe Signup and view all the answers

What term is used for wild animals killed for food?

Bush meat Signup and view all the answers

What has led to the decline in population size of pangolins?

Hunting for their scales and meat Signup and view all the answers

What characteristic makes exotic species especially successful in new ecosystems?

Highly successful in the new habitat Signup and view all the answers

Which region is believed to threaten several species with extinction through hunting practices?

Equatorial Africa and parts of Asia Signup and view all the answers

What has increased the introduction of species into new ecosystems?

Human transportation of people and goods Signup and view all the answers

What makes islands particularly vulnerable to extinction threats from introduced species?

' Constant vigilance' by airport personnel Signup and view all the answers

What type of water has led to many introductions of aquatic species?

' Ballast' water Signup and view all the answers

Which action is necessary to prevent the brown tree snake from spreading to other islands from Guam?

' Increase' airport personnel vigilance Signup and view all the answers

' What' term is used for a species introduced into an ecosystem in which it did not evolve?

' Exotic' species Signup and view all the answers

Which practice has led to bush meat being available in grocery stores and increased harvest rates to unsustainable levels?

Recent commercialization of bush meat practice Signup and view all the answers

What factor contributes to whether a wood product will be certified by the FSC?

Where and how it is harvested Signup and view all the answers

Why is habitat destruction concerning beyond forests?

It affects rivers and streams, important ecosystems Signup and view all the answers

What percentage of riverways in the United States have been modified with damming or stream bank modification?

91% Signup and view all the answers

Why are species of amphibians that depend on both aquatic and terrestrial habitats at greater risk?

Increased likelihood of habitat loss Signup and view all the answers

What is a significant threat to many species, especially aquatic ones?

Overharvesting Signup and view all the answers

What economic concept contributes to overexploitation of common resources like fisheries?

Tragedy of the commons Signup and view all the answers

What technological advancement can enable fishers to overfish a fishery?

Modern factory trawlers Signup and view all the answers

Why did the western Atlantic cod fishery collapse?

Introduction of modern factory trawlers and overfishing pressure Signup and view all the answers

What is the likely cause of the present warming trend according to scientists?

Human activities Signup and view all the answers

How will climate change affect habitats according to the text?

Make habitats less hospitable for species Signup and view all the answers

Why are polar bears and grizzly bears encountering each other more frequently?

Climate change is forcing their ranges to overlap Signup and view all the answers

What has been observed as a result of changing climates and shifts in resources?

Mismatch to shifts in resource availability and timing Signup and view all the answers

How has the range of European bird species shifted according to a study mentioned in the text?

Moved 91 km northward on average Signup and view all the answers

What is recognized as a serious threat to polar bear populations due to accelerated warming observed in the arctic?

Disappearance of sea ice during winter months Signup and view all the answers

What can be inferred from the series of photos showing Grinnell Glacier's retreat?

Global warming is causing rapid glacier melt Signup and view all the answers

What is the impact of glacier loss on local ecosystems?

Reduces seasonal water supplies and severely affects local ecosystems Signup and view all the answers

What will be an effect of raising ocean levels due to global warming?

Inundated shorelines and reduced island size Signup and view all the answers

How will the gradual melting and refreezing cycle alteration affect freshwater sources?

Result in an overabundance of salt water and a shortage of fresh water Signup and view all the answers