reasons to maintain biodiversity Flashcards
(18 cards)
ecological reasons to maintain biodiversity
-interdependence of organisms
-disruption of food chains
-disruption of nutrient cycle
-protection of keystone species
what is the interdependence of organisms
-all organisms in a habitat are linked together in a food chain/web
example of relationships between organisms
-predator/prey
-intra-specific competition
-inter-specific competition
-parasitic
what happens if a habitat has a lower species diversity
-loss in numbers of one prey species may cause the numbers of the predator species to also decline
why is it important to prevent the disruption of nutrient cycles
-decomposes like worms improve soil quality
-reduction in numbers will affect plant growth and food chains
what are keystone species
-species that have a disproportionate effect on their environment relative to their abundance
what can keystone species be
-predators that limit the populations of herbivores/modifiers which maintain the ecosystem
how may wild animals and plants be useful as a genetic resource
-due to adaptation they may hold the answers to problems caused by climate change
how may we use plants in a beneficial way (as a genetic resource)
-selective breeding/ GM using wild species could allow us to breed new crop varieties that can cope with new conditions of climate change
what can we develop from plants/animals (genetic resource)
-new medicines/vaccines found in native plants, animals, fungi, bacteria
what may non-sustainable use of resources lead to (economic reason)
-industry collapse
why must we maintain the genetic diversity of wild species
because the potential that exists in the wide range of species that are currently extant
what may a lack of biodiversity lead to (economic reasons)
-vulnerability for species survival if conditions change
-meaning loss of wild varieties to use for cross breeding
example of processes that are valuable to humans that natural ecosystems perform
-crop pollination
-provide timber, food, fuel
-recycling nutrients
what happens to soils subject to monoculture and why
-they become less fertile and agricultural yields decline
-crop takes minerals out of soil when removed from ecosystem
what have studies shown (aesthetic reasons)
-patients recover more rapidly from stress and injury when exposed to natural environmental conditions
how is the sugar maple tree in northern usa an example of a keystone species
-deep roots can access water deep in soil in dry areas so available to other plants
-sap provides food for variety of insects
reason to maintain biodiversity (not ecological)
-duty of humans to care for other species/ethical
-aesthetic reasons
-economic reasons
