Understanding the Biodiversity Crisis

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Questions and Answers

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?

  • 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?

  • 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?

<p>Biological variety. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What percentage of the Amazon rainforest was lost between 1970 and 2011?

<p>Almost 20 percent. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Where is the biodiversity habitat shown in Figure 1 located?

<p>Madagascar. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Why is Earth losing species at an accelerating pace according to the text?

<p>As extinction removes species faster than they can be described (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of describing species according to the text?

<p>Species description aids in determining unique characteristics and follow-up research (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the term used to describe species found in only one location?

<p>Endemic (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What accounts for the difference in species diversity between Lake Victoria and Lake Huron?

<p>The age of Lake Victoria compared to Lake Huron (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Why are endemic species with highly restricted distributions particularly vulnerable to extinction?

<p>As they have limited options for survival if conditions change (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the estimated percentage of eukaryotic species that have been named based on the text?

<p>13% (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Why is naming and counting species considered important according to the text?

<p>To allow for in-depth study and coordinated research by multiple scientists (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How many new species are being described per year according to the State of Observed Species reports?

<p>17,000–20,000 (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the reason cited for the increasing difficulty in describing all existing species?

<p>The rate of extinction surpassing the rate of description (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does biodiversity loss refer to?

<p>The reduction of biodiversity due to the displacement or extinction of species (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Why is genetic diversity important in a species?

<p>To provide raw material for evolutionary adaptation (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

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?

<p>Because it offers more varied habitats for different species (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is ecosystem diversity?

<p>The number of different ecosystems in a geographical area (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How does the loss of an ecosystem impact biological productivity?

<p>It leads to a decrease in biological productivity (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Why do biologists measure genetic diversity in a population?

<p>To assess the potential for evolutionary adaptation (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

In what way are human populations dependent on ecosystems?

<p>For food, medicine, clean air and water, and more (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Why are tropical rainforests facing significant biodiversity loss?

<p>Because they are being cleared for timber and agriculture (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the consequence of the accelerated extinction rate mentioned in the text?

<p>The potential loss of tens of thousands of species within our lifetimes (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What distinguishes a forest with high biodiversity from one lacking diversity?

<p>The even distribution among tree species rather than dominance by one species (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a great ape that has been observed self-medicating with plants?

<p>Monkeys (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the name of the plant that is a source of vincristine, a drug used in the treatment of lymphomas?

<p>Madagascar periwinkle (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following diseases have NOT been treated with drugs based on animal toxins?

<p>Influenza (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What percentage of modern drugs at one time contained at least one plant extract?

<p>25% (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Where were potatoes domesticated around 7,000 years ago?

<p>Central Andes of Peru and Bolivia (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the chief proponent of the idea that humans benefit psychologically from living in a biodiverse world?

<p>E.O. Wilson (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the estimated annual contribution of honeybee pollination within the United States?

<p>$6.7 billion (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the main cause of large losses in honeybee populations in North America?

<p>Colony collapse disorder (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the impact of pesticides on non-pest species and beneficial insects like honeybees?

<p>Kill them (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How does the loss of diversity in pest enemies affect food production?

<p>Makes it more difficult and costly to grow food (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the main source of animal protein for about one billion people?

<p>Aquatic resources (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What has been the trend in global fisheries production since 1990?

<p>Decline (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What are the long-lasting effects on local human populations due to the collapse of fisheries?

<p>Limitations in societal aspects (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What happens to harvested species when fishery extinctions occur?

<p>They undergo a radical restructuring in the marine ecosystem. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Why is it important to introduce multiple enemies of pests for control?

<p>It is more effective than controlling one single pest. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Why did the Irish potato famine lead to famine, death, and mass emigration?

<p>Due to the susceptibility of the single potato variety to a potato blight. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Why do seed companies play a role in the decline of the number of available crop varieties?

<p>By focusing on selling fewer varieties in more areas of the world. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a key benefit of maintaining genetic diversity in wild species related to domesticated crops?

<p>Ensuring a continued supply of food. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How do government agriculture departments attempt to maintain crop diversity?

<p>By establishing seed banks of crop varieties. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Why is the Svalbard Global Seed Vault considered a backup system for regional seed banks?

<p>To ensure that lost seed varieties can be replaced if something happens to regional seeds. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What valuable conditions or processes are carried out by ecosystems that benefit crop growth?

<p>Ecosystem services such as nutrient cycling and soil texture maintenance. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Why are ecosystem services important for human food production?

<p>To maintain nutrient cycles necessary for crop growth. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is one way that plant pollination contributes to food production?

<p>By transferring pollen between plants for reproduction. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Why is it practically impossible to replace the work of soil organisms in forming arable soil?

<p>Because nutrient cycling and soil texture maintenance are complex processes. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How does the Svalbard Global Seed Vault ensure ideal storage conditions?

<p>By carving deep into the arctic rock and maintaining optimal temperature and humidity levels. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is biogeography the study of?

<p>The distribution of species on Earth (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which field of study under biogeography focuses on the protection and restoration of species?

<p>Conservation biogeography (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is one of the oldest observed patterns in ecology?

<p>Biodiversity increases as latitude decreases (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Why does biodiversity typically increase closer to the equator?

<p>Greater energy input from the sun (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a possible mechanism that contributes to greater speciation in tropical ecosystems?

<p>Greater habitat stability (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Why is biodiversity important for human populations?

<p>It impacts human health and ability to feed ourselves (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is historical biogeography focused on studying?

<p>Past distribution of species (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

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