Podcast
Questions and Answers
What do biologists estimate regarding current species extinctions?
What do biologists estimate regarding current species extinctions?
- They are 500–1000 times the normal rate in Earth's history. (correct)
- They are at the normal rate seen in Earth's history.
- They are 1000–1500 times the normal rate in Earth's history.
- They are half the normal rate seen in Earth's history.
Which ecosystems are most affected by rapidly increasing species extinctions?
Which ecosystems are most affected by rapidly increasing species extinctions?
- Deserts like the Sahara.
- Polar regions like Antarctica.
- Tropical rainforests like those of the Amazon basin. (correct)
- Grasslands like the African savanna.
Where do most of the 'invisible' species that face extinction currently live?
Where do most of the 'invisible' species that face extinction currently live?
- The Arctic tundra.
- Coniferous forests in Canada.
- Savannas in Africa.
- Tropical rainforests like those in the Amazon basin. (correct)
What is biodiversity a broad term for?
What is biodiversity a broad term for?
What percentage of the Amazon rainforest was lost between 1970 and 2011?
What percentage of the Amazon rainforest was lost between 1970 and 2011?
Where is the biodiversity habitat shown in Figure 1 located?
Where is the biodiversity habitat shown in Figure 1 located?
Why is Earth losing species at an accelerating pace according to the text?
Why is Earth losing species at an accelerating pace according to the text?
What is the significance of describing species according to the text?
What is the significance of describing species according to the text?
What is the term used to describe species found in only one location?
What is the term used to describe species found in only one location?
What accounts for the difference in species diversity between Lake Victoria and Lake Huron?
What accounts for the difference in species diversity between Lake Victoria and Lake Huron?
Why are endemic species with highly restricted distributions particularly vulnerable to extinction?
Why are endemic species with highly restricted distributions particularly vulnerable to extinction?
What is the estimated percentage of eukaryotic species that have been named based on the text?
What is the estimated percentage of eukaryotic species that have been named based on the text?
Why is naming and counting species considered important according to the text?
Why is naming and counting species considered important according to the text?
How many new species are being described per year according to the State of Observed Species reports?
How many new species are being described per year according to the State of Observed Species reports?
What is the reason cited for the increasing difficulty in describing all existing species?
What is the reason cited for the increasing difficulty in describing all existing species?
What does biodiversity loss refer to?
What does biodiversity loss refer to?
Why is genetic diversity important in a species?
Why is genetic diversity important in a species?
In terms of diversity, why is a forest with 10 equally common tree species considered more diverse than a forest dominated by just one species?
In terms of diversity, why is a forest with 10 equally common tree species considered more diverse than a forest dominated by just one species?
What is ecosystem diversity?
What is ecosystem diversity?
How does the loss of an ecosystem impact biological productivity?
How does the loss of an ecosystem impact biological productivity?
Why do biologists measure genetic diversity in a population?
Why do biologists measure genetic diversity in a population?
In what way are human populations dependent on ecosystems?
In what way are human populations dependent on ecosystems?
Why are tropical rainforests facing significant biodiversity loss?
Why are tropical rainforests facing significant biodiversity loss?
What is the consequence of the accelerated extinction rate mentioned in the text?
What is the consequence of the accelerated extinction rate mentioned in the text?
What distinguishes a forest with high biodiversity from one lacking diversity?
What distinguishes a forest with high biodiversity from one lacking diversity?
Which of the following is NOT a great ape that has been observed self-medicating with plants?
Which of the following is NOT a great ape that has been observed self-medicating with plants?
What is the name of the plant that is a source of vincristine, a drug used in the treatment of lymphomas?
What is the name of the plant that is a source of vincristine, a drug used in the treatment of lymphomas?
Which of the following diseases have NOT been treated with drugs based on animal toxins?
Which of the following diseases have NOT been treated with drugs based on animal toxins?
What percentage of modern drugs at one time contained at least one plant extract?
What percentage of modern drugs at one time contained at least one plant extract?
Where were potatoes domesticated around 7,000 years ago?
Where were potatoes domesticated around 7,000 years ago?
What is the chief proponent of the idea that humans benefit psychologically from living in a biodiverse world?
What is the chief proponent of the idea that humans benefit psychologically from living in a biodiverse world?
What is the estimated annual contribution of honeybee pollination within the United States?
What is the estimated annual contribution of honeybee pollination within the United States?
What is the main cause of large losses in honeybee populations in North America?
What is the main cause of large losses in honeybee populations in North America?
What is the impact of pesticides on non-pest species and beneficial insects like honeybees?
What is the impact of pesticides on non-pest species and beneficial insects like honeybees?
How does the loss of diversity in pest enemies affect food production?
How does the loss of diversity in pest enemies affect food production?
What is the main source of animal protein for about one billion people?
What is the main source of animal protein for about one billion people?
What has been the trend in global fisheries production since 1990?
What has been the trend in global fisheries production since 1990?
What are the long-lasting effects on local human populations due to the collapse of fisheries?
What are the long-lasting effects on local human populations due to the collapse of fisheries?
What happens to harvested species when fishery extinctions occur?
What happens to harvested species when fishery extinctions occur?
Why is it important to introduce multiple enemies of pests for control?
Why is it important to introduce multiple enemies of pests for control?
Why did the Irish potato famine lead to famine, death, and mass emigration?
Why did the Irish potato famine lead to famine, death, and mass emigration?
Why do seed companies play a role in the decline of the number of available crop varieties?
Why do seed companies play a role in the decline of the number of available crop varieties?
What is a key benefit of maintaining genetic diversity in wild species related to domesticated crops?
What is a key benefit of maintaining genetic diversity in wild species related to domesticated crops?
How do government agriculture departments attempt to maintain crop diversity?
How do government agriculture departments attempt to maintain crop diversity?
Why is the Svalbard Global Seed Vault considered a backup system for regional seed banks?
Why is the Svalbard Global Seed Vault considered a backup system for regional seed banks?
What valuable conditions or processes are carried out by ecosystems that benefit crop growth?
What valuable conditions or processes are carried out by ecosystems that benefit crop growth?
Why are ecosystem services important for human food production?
Why are ecosystem services important for human food production?
What is one way that plant pollination contributes to food production?
What is one way that plant pollination contributes to food production?
Why is it practically impossible to replace the work of soil organisms in forming arable soil?
Why is it practically impossible to replace the work of soil organisms in forming arable soil?
How does the Svalbard Global Seed Vault ensure ideal storage conditions?
How does the Svalbard Global Seed Vault ensure ideal storage conditions?
What is biogeography the study of?
What is biogeography the study of?
Which field of study under biogeography focuses on the protection and restoration of species?
Which field of study under biogeography focuses on the protection and restoration of species?
What is one of the oldest observed patterns in ecology?
What is one of the oldest observed patterns in ecology?
Why does biodiversity typically increase closer to the equator?
Why does biodiversity typically increase closer to the equator?
What is a possible mechanism that contributes to greater speciation in tropical ecosystems?
What is a possible mechanism that contributes to greater speciation in tropical ecosystems?
Why is biodiversity important for human populations?
Why is biodiversity important for human populations?
What is historical biogeography focused on studying?
What is historical biogeography focused on studying?
