Threats to Biodiversity Flashcards
What is overexploitation?
When the rate at which individuals are used up is greater than the maximum rate of reproduction.
Give 2 examples of overexploitation.
- over-fishing
- whaling
- over-harvesting
What causes the bottleneck effect?
When a population is nearly wiped out by a natural disaster (or man)
How does the bottleneck effect impact on genetic diversity?
Huge loss in genetic diversity
What is a disadvantage to a reduction in genetic diversity?
Could prevent the population adapting to future environmental changes
What can the loss of genetic diversity in smaller populations lead to?
inbreeding
What is the result of inbreeding?
poorer reproductive rates
What is habitat fragmentation?
When a habitat is broken up into smaller sections
What happens to the sections/fragments over time?
The edges of the fragments can become degraded
What does degradation of the fragments result in?
Increased competition as there is less space
What does increased competition affect biodiversity?
reduces it
What are used to connect isolated fragments?
habitat corridors
What do the habitat corridors allow?
Movement of animals between fragments
What advantages are there for animals using the habitat corridors?
greater access to food and choice of mate
What is an introduced species?
A species that humans have moved to new locations (intentional or accident)
