threats to diversity Flashcards
william willats (16 cards)
how many plants roughly are known to science?
390
around how many native plant species have been lost?
5%
around how many plant species are currently under threat of extinction?
21%
why are non-native species so abundant in some regions?
because humans bring them when travelling/moving around, thus anthropogenic plant species increase, decreasing diversity
what is the main factor in extinction of plants?
human activity:
- alteration/loss of habitat
- introduction of non-native species
- overexploitation of resources
what are examples of anthropogenic biomes?
dense settlements, villages, croplands, rangelands, wildlands
how does climate change affect plant diversity?
plants with a tolerance to colder climates have a decreased likelihood of survival in warming climates
what consequences can ecosystems face as a result of a decrease in plant diversity?
- habitat loss -> decrease in animal diversity
- decrease in microbial diversity -> diminished soil health -> disrupted nutrient cycle
- change in atmospheric chemistry/makeup -> climate change
what are effects humanity may face as a result of a decrease in plant diversity?
decreased/diminished:
- food
- raw materials
- shelter
- medicines
- fuel
what can be done on a political level to protect plant diversity?
- enforcement of law: eg dominican republic
- public pressure
- legislation
- increased monitoring
what can be done in the science sphere to protect plant diversity?
- monitoring of change: climate, plant diversity etc
- preservation
- recreation
why is the growth of plant collections slowing down?
less space for whole plants, less expertise for needs of specific plants
what is an alternative to storing whole plants?
storing seeds, eg svalbard seed vault
how can we reverse plant extinction?
recreation biology
what is recreation biology and how can it be used to “get back” lost plants?
gene editing: recreation of chemical pathways + creation of synthetic organisms?
why is a seed vault not a good option for all plants?
about 8% of plants are recalcitrant to ex situ preservation
