Threats to Biodiversity: Habitat Loss and Degradation

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Questions and Answers

What is the primary consequence of habitat loss on land and in water?

Species migrate to a new habitat

The habitat is completely restored

The habitat becomes more diverse

The original habitat is no longer capable of supporting the species and communities that naturally occur there (correct)

What is the leading cause of terrestrial habitat loss?

Agriculture (correct)

Mining

Dredging

Urbanization

What is a consequence of overgrazing in arid and semiarid lands?

Increased crop yields

Desertification (correct)

Increased biodiversity

Reduced soil erosion

What is the primary driver of biodiversity loss?

The growth of the human population and how we consume resources Signup and view all the answers

What is habitat fragmentation?

The division of remaining habitats into smaller, isolated fragments Signup and view all the answers

What is one of the effects of habitat fragmentation?

The extinction of specialist species Signup and view all the answers

What is a strategy to reduce the impact of habitat degradation?

Maintaining larger areas of habitat and providing corridors to connect fragments Signup and view all the answers

What is an example of overexploitation?

Unregulated and/or illegal harvesting of resources Signup and view all the answers

What percentage of birds are threatened due to the introduction of invasive exotic species?

30% Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is an effect of climate change on ecosystems?

Changes in ocean levels and acidity Signup and view all the answers

What is a consequence of species introductions?

Major economic consequences for humans Signup and view all the answers

What is an example of multiple drivers acting together in an ecosystem?

Tropical deforestation and habitat destruction Signup and view all the answers

What is a result of the introduction of invasive species on freshwater ecosystems?

Greatly affected ecosystems Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary concern for people in developing countries regarding biodiversity?

Immediate needs of food and shelter Signup and view all the answers

What is the main difference between endangered and threatened species?

Endangered species are in immediate danger of extinction Signup and view all the answers

What was the outcome of the conservation efforts for the Arabian oryx?

The species was reintroduced to its natural habitat Signup and view all the answers

What was the significance of the passage of the Endangered Species Act (1973) in the U.S.?

It marked the beginning of biodiversity preservation Signup and view all the answers

What was the outcome of the conservation efforts for the giant panda bear?

The species was removed from the endangered list Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for the situation where the total impact of two or more threats is greater than the sum of their individual impacts?

Synergistic effect Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following species is most likely to become extinct?

A species with a small population and a specialized niche Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary goal of the IUCN Red List?

To categorize and assess the threat status of species Signup and view all the answers

What is the outcome when a species is no longer found in an area it once inhabited but still exists elsewhere?

Local extinction Signup and view all the answers

What is a common characteristic of organisms that are more likely to become extinct in small, restricted areas?

Specialized niche Signup and view all the answers

What percentage of endangered species of plants are threatened by overexploitation?

8% Signup and view all the answers

What is a common reason for overexploitation in aquatic systems?

As a source of protein Signup and view all the answers

What is a strategy to reduce the impact of overexploitation?

Monitor and regulate harvests Signup and view all the answers

What is a consequence of overexploitation in aquatic systems?

Capture of non-target species Signup and view all the answers

What is a type of species introduction?

Accidental introduction Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary purpose of habitat management?

To enhance the success of a species Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for concealing or protecting animals from the elements or enemies?

Cover Signup and view all the answers

What is the maximum population size that an environment can support?

Carrying capacity Signup and view all the answers

Why are population censuses conducted in wildlife management?

To check if populations are within appropriate levels Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of regulating hunting activity in wildlife management?

To conserve wildlife populations Signup and view all the answers

Why are artificial introductions implemented in wildlife management?

To reintroduce native species to their habitats Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary reason for implementing seasons in wildlife management?

To remove surplus animals before winter Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for the movement of animals from one location to another?

Migration Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary goal of managing a wildlife population?

To conserve wildlife populations Signup and view all the answers

Why are non-native species introduced to new habitats?

To fill empty niches Signup and view all the answers

What is the level of hierarchy where we count the number of genes within a population?

Genes within population Signup and view all the answers

At which level of hierarchy do we count the number of different species?

Species within communities Signup and view all the answers

What is the highest level of hierarchy in the biodiversity count?

Landscapes within the biosphere Signup and view all the answers

What is the level of hierarchy where we count the number of different ecosystems?

Ecosystems within landscapes Signup and view all the answers

What is the level of hierarchy where we count the number of different populations?

Populations within species Signup and view all the answers

What is the hierarchy of the biosphere?

Genes in populations, populations in species, species in ecosystems Signup and view all the answers

what is the term for the measure of number of species

species richness Signup and view all the answers

what are the two most important facctors that determine the number of species in an area?

water and energy Signup and view all the answers

what are the most important factors in determining species in aquatic systems?

Salinity, availability of nutrients, water movement Signup and view all the answers

how many species of vertebrates are there?

70,000 Signup and view all the answers

what does species diversity take into account?

the evennes of species Signup and view all the answers

more diverse communities are more?

Resilient, and Resistant Signup and view all the answers

how much of habitable land is urban and built up?

1% Signup and view all the answers

what are other reaosns to the harvest of aquatic systems?

Ornaments. Aquarium trade. Medicine. dyes and other products. Signup and view all the answers

what diseases had an impact on american forests

chestnut blight, dutch elm disease Signup and view all the answers

which invasive insect had an effect on ecosystem structure

Asian long horned beetle Signup and view all the answers

which freshwater organism impacted ecosystems

Zebra mussel Signup and view all the answers

are organisms in higher trophic levels more endangered towards extinction?

True Signup and view all the answers

how many species are listed as threatened with extinction according to the IUCN?

21,000 Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

We can look at biodiversity by counting up the number of different types (or variants) at various levels of a hierarchy: Genes within populations. Populations within species. Species within communities and ecosystems. Ecosystems within landscapes and the overall biosphere

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Description

Learn about the threats to biodiversity, including habitat loss and degradation, and how they affect the environment and species. Discover the impacts of habitat fragmentation and the importance of conservation.