Exam 2 - Threats to Biodiversity

Question 1

Current Major Threats to Biodiversity (3/7), name the two biggest factors

Answer 1

• habitat related (loss, degradation, fragmentation)*
• pollution (chemical, light and noise)
• overexploitation*
• invasive species
• anthropogenic climate change
• disease
• UV radiation

Question 2

Define synergistic effect

Answer 2

Multiple threats on a species (ex. coral reefs - climate change, acidity, fungi, pollution)

Question 3

Define habitat generalists

Answer 3

Generalists can exploit a variety of habitats within an area/range.
They can easily switch from available and/or preferred to less preferred habitats

Question 4

Define habitat specialists

Answer 4

Specialists can exploit 1 or only a few habitats within an area/range.
Most habitats are unsuitable and cannot be used.

Question 5

What types of species are most vulnerable to extinction (3)?

Answer 5

• Rare species.
• low biomass
• low impact
• habitat specificity
• Declining species
• Species that occur at sites of high human exploitation

Question 6

What are some predictors of extinction vulnerability (list three)?

Answer 6

• large space needs
• large-bodied animals
• ineffective dispersers
• seasonal migrants
• species with little genetic variability
• species with specialized niche requirements
• species in relatively stable environments
• species that form aggregations
• naiive species (to humans)
• species closely related to other extinct or threatened species

Question 7

Where are most taxa threatened with extinction?

Answer 7

Tropical and subtropical forest are locations with most taxa threatened with extinction.

Question 8

List the conservation databases and their systems (3)

Answer 8

1. ICUN - red list system lists threatened species

2. Blue List - lists ICUN threatened species that are responding to conservation measures

Question 9

List the conservation databases and their systems (3)

Answer 9

1. ICUN - red list system lists threatened species
2. Blue List - lists ICUN threatened species that are responding to conservation measures
3. NatureServe - gives conservation status ranks 1-5 (1 being critically imperiled)

Question 10

A schematic way to deal with biodiversity threats

Answer 10

1. have a knowledge of the threat
2. identify priority actions
3. develop strategies
4. implement a plan to slow, mediate or reverse the threat