biodiversity Flashcards
(22 cards)
what are the 3 types of diversity
genetic- variation in the genetic makeup of indiviuals within a population or species
chemical- variation of chemical compounds present in a particular system or environment
ecosystem- variety of ecosystems within a specific geographic area, encompassing dofferent habitats, communities, and eccological processes
where does biodiversity increase
biodiversity increases as you get closer to the equator
why does biodiversity increase as you get closer to the equator
favorable climate conditions that meet conditions to support a greater range of plant and animal life
what are problems with researching biodiversity
-lack of financial resources and political willpower
-we are losing species at an accelerated rate
-no central repository to confirm described species
what were the key events during the ordovician-silurian mass extinction
occured in two events that were seperated by 1 million years
-late devonian: mostly marine organisms
-end permain: 96% marine and 70% terrestrial lost
what happened during the cretaceous mass extinction
asteroid killed almost all dinosuars :(
what was the effect of the pleistocene extinction
disappearance of megafauna species
what is the holocene extinction and what are its primary causes
the holocene extinction is a current event, with extinction rates on par with past mass extinctions. it is largely causesd by human activities such as habitat destruction, introduction of exotic species, and overharvesting
what is the species-area relationship in extinction
the species-area relationship suggests that the number of species decreases as the area of suitable habitat decreases, influencing extinction rates.
why is biodiversity important to humans
biodiversity prevents ecosystem collapse, supports economies, provides medications, reduces risks of monoculture crops, and sustains ecosystem services like pollination and nutrient cycling
what are ecosystem services and why are they important
ecosystem services are natural processes provided by organisms, such as pollination and nutrient cycling which are essential for human survival and well-being
what are 3 major threats to biodiversity
major threats includ ehabitat loss and fragmentation, reduced genetic diversity, and overharvesting
what is the “tragedy of commons” in the context of biodiversity loss
it refers to the overuse of shared natural resources. leading to depletion or collapose due to individual interests outweighing collective responsibility
How does climate change affect animal populations?
Climate change causes range shifts, where animals must move to new areas to survive as their current habitats become unsuitable.
How do plants respond to climate change?
Plants are able to grow in regions they couldn’t previously inhabit, expanding their range due to changing climate conditions.
What is desertification, and how is it related to climate change?
Desertification is the transformation of fertile land into desert, exacerbated by climate change, which leads to droughts and soil degradation.
How does climate change contribute to water scarcity?
Climate change alters precipitation patterns and increases evaporation, leading to reduced freshwater availability in many regions.
What types of weather extremes are influenced by climate change?
Climate change contributes to more frequent and intense weather extremes, including storms, heatwaves, floods, and droughts.
What is the purpose of buffer zones in preserve design?
Buffer zones are areas around conservation sites that reduce human impact, protecting core habitats from external threats like pollution or development.
What are wildlife corridors and why are they important?
Wildlife corridors are pathways that connect fragmented habitats, allowing animals to migrate, find food, and reproduce, promoting genetic diversity.
What is habitat restoration in conservation?
Habitat restoration involves returning a degraded ecosystem to its natural state, improving conditions for native species and biodiversity.
How does captive breeding contribute to species conservation?
Captive breeding involves breeding endangered species in controlled environments to increase their population and reintroduce them to the wild.
