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Environmental Science > Biodiversity, Evolution, Conservation > Flashcards

Biodiversity, Evolution, Conservation Flashcards

(50 cards)

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1
Q

Types of Biodiversity

A

Species, habitat, genetic

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2
Q

Biodiversity

A

The variety of life existing in a certain area

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3
Q

Species Diveristy

A

of species / organisms per unit area found in different habitats of the planet

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4
Q

Simpson’s Index

A

Indicates how many different species exist
-high values of “D” are more biodiverse, stable
-low values could suggest pollution, colonization, agricultural management
D = nk (nk-1) / N (N-1)

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5
Q

Richness

A

of species per sample

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6
Q

Relative Abundance

A 
A measure of "eveness" of different species making up the richness of an area
# of individual species / total individuals present
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7
Q

Habitat Diversity

A

Range of different habitats per unit in an ecosystem or biome

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8
Q

Genetic Diversity

A

Total # of genetic characteristics of a specific species within a population
-larger population = greater genetic diversity

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9
Q

Endemic Species

A

Species found in only one specific area of the world

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10
Q

Natural Selection

A

Survival of the fittest

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11
Q

Fitness

A

Measure of reproductive success

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12
Q

Assumptions of Natural Selection

A
  • all individuals are variable in fitness
  • population size remains stable over long periods
  • resources are limited (more competition)
  • traits are heritable
  • individuals best adapted to environment will survive and pass on their genes
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13
Q

Charles Darwin

A

Studied different Finch species on Galapagos Islands

Theories of natural selection & variation

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14
Q

Natural Selection & Variation

A

Evolution occurs randomly in an individual (good, bad, neutral) and changes the gene pool.
Unfavorable genes will die out, leaving only “good” genes in pool
EX: peppered moth- as buildings got darker from soot, darker moths survived

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15
Q

Isolation

A 
Seperation of populations
Types:
-temporal (temperature/season)
-behavioral
-reproductive
-geographical
-habitat
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16
Q

Plate Tectonics

A

Movement of the Earth to create valleys, mountains, new land masses

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17
Q

Mutations

A

Any change or random error in a DNA sequece (the hereditary material of a cell)
Mutations in sex cells are passed to offspring (if unicellular all are passed)
Traits aquired without change in DNA are not passed

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18
Q

Evolution: FARBM

A
  1. fish
  2. amphibians
  3. reptiles
  4. birds
  5. mammals
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19
Q

Importance of Biodiversity

A
  • nature’s insurance policy against change
  • source of all natural capital for human use
  • way chemical materials are cycled & purified
  • end result of millions of years of evolution & irreplaceable
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20
Q

Anthropocentrism

A
  • diverse ecosystems = more stable / healthy
  • more resistant to climate change & spread of diseases
  • provides important ecological services
  • used for recreation, foods, goods, medicine
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21
Q

Extinction

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A

When there are no more individuals of a species still alive anywhere in the world
-99% of all species that were on the earth no longer exist

22
Q

Endangered

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A

Species at risk of extinction because there are so few left they might soon be wiped out altogether

23
Q

End of Ordovician (440 mya)

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A
  • 2nd most devastating in earth’s history
  • affected marine species
  • probably from glaciation
24
Q

Late Permian (225 mya)

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A

-largest extinction
-95% of all marine species lost
Possible causes:
-Pangea continents merging
-global warming from volcanic eruptions glaciation

25
Cretaceous / Tertiary Extinction
- all dinosaurs & half other plants / animals extinct - possible asteroid - brought rise of mammals
26
Mass Extinction Causes
- plate tectonics - super volcanoes - climate changes - meteorite impacts
27
Human Causes of Endangerment (HICOP)
- Habitat destruction / fragmentation - Introduced species - Climate change - Overexploitation - Pollution
28
Degradation
Reducing the quality of available habitat | EX: logging, agriculture, sewage
29
Fragmentation
Splitting a single, large, contiguous system into many disconnected areas EX: road through wilderness, dam across river
30
Loss
Disappearing of an entire habitat | EX: paving natural area for building, praires to farmland
31
Invasive Species
Organisms that are living in an environment outside its normal range or natural environment -many transported by accident
32
Biocontrol
Species transported intentionally to control other "problem" species populations Characteristics: -fast growth / reproduction -wide range of environments -usually harmful to environment -outcompete native organisms for local food -lead to extinction of natives
33
Overexploitation
Harvesting a renewable resource to the point of diminishing returns EX: wild medicinal plants, grazing pastures, game animals, fish stock, forests, water aquifers
34
Pollution
Introduction of harmful materials into environment -damage quality of air, water, land EX: sulfar leads to excess acid in lakes, streams, and damages trees, soil
35
Red List
Developed by International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Purpose: 1. identify species of concern 2. identify species in need of conservation 3. catalogue plants / animals facing global extinction 4. raise awareness
36
Conservation: Status Factors
1. population size 2. trophic level 3. degree of specialization 4. geographic range & distribution 5. reproductive potential & behavior
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Solutions (3 R's)
``` 1. Replace biotourism, education 2. Regulate policy 3. Restore species survival plans, reserves, research ```
38
Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES)
- international agreement between governments | - ensure international trade does not threaten species in wild
39
Endangered Species Act (1973)
- protect & recover endangered species | - protects habitats
40
Earth Summit (Rio, 1992)
193 nations supporting Convention on Biological Diveristy's goals of biodiversity conservation & sustainable use of natural resources
41
Kyoto Protocol
Commits state parties to reduce greenhouse gas emissions
42
Conservation of Nature-scapes
- save areas rich in endemic species - mostly tropical forests, continetal shelves, coral reefs - contains 60% of identified terrestrial biodiveristy - **keystone species imprtant
43
Criteria for Researves
1. size 2. shape 3. edge effects 4. corridors 5. proximity to potential human influence
44
Nature Preserve Example
Gateway National Recreation
45
Zoos
Educationional facilities that care for, conserve, provide public awareness - Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) - special species survival plans - EX: breeding programs
46
Zoos Advantages
- education - increased scientific knowledge - controlled environment to protect animals - easy genetic monitoring - captive breeding = high success - high chance of offpsring surviving - species held while habitat conserved
47
Zoos Disadvantages
- individuals forcibly taken from habitat - captive populations = small gene pool - captive animals can't survive in wild as well - ethical argument
48
Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs)
Not run, funded, or influenced by national governments | EX: Greenpeace, World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF)
49
Intergovernmental Organizations (IGOs)
Established by international agreements EX: United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN)
50
Governmental Organizations (GOs)
Restricted by national politics, but brings internatal conventions and laws into force EX: National Departments of the Environment

Environmental Science (5 decks)

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