Loss of Biodiversity & Relevant Laws/Acts

what are the 5 main causes of Biodiversity loss?

1)habitat destruction (degradation, fragmentation) 2) pollution 3)climate change 4)invasive species 5)overharvesting

Clean Water Act

1972) supports the "protection and propagation of fish, shellfish, and wildlife and recreation in and on the water". Issued water quality standards that defined acceptable limits of various pollutants in U.S. waterways.

How many major mass extinctions have taken place in the past 500 million years?

5

When did the most recent mass extinction take place?

65 million years ago

Define endemic

A species found in only one specific region

CITES

A treaty that prevents the trade of endangered or threatened species

Examples of an invasive species

Asian Carp, West Nile Virus, Zebra mussels

If a population increases considerably what is the most likely outcome for the ecosystem?

Biodiversity would decrease, and sustainability would decrease.

IUCN Red List

List of Threatened Species founded in 1964, is the world's most comprehensive inventory of the global conservation status of biological species; protects endangered species

Species that have specialized eating habits

are more prone to extinction

Certain fish-bed populations have declined due to habitat modification and over-harvesting. How will this affect the biodiversity of these ecosystems?

biodiversity and number of fish will decrease

Why are organisms at higher tropic levels prone to extinction?

due to the amount of food needed to sustain life

What is the greatest threat to species?

habitat reduction; clearing habitats for *agriculture*

Define endangered species

has so few individual survivors that the species could soon become extinct over all or most of its natural range

Marine biodiversity issues due to

idea the the ocean is inexhaustible resources, difficulties in developing, monitoring, and enforcing international agreements and . location of areas of need

How can the threats from nonnative species be reduced?

increase inspections and Use legislation to target imported goods and materials

Endangered Species Act of 1973

legislation for wildlife, protected within the U. S., import & export of protected wildlife must be through particular ports, federal agencies must not destroy the habitat of protected species

United Sates Endangered Species Act

list species on the endangered species list

Define extirpated

local region extinction of a species

principles of conservation biology

necessary for all life on earth; environments should not disrupted by humans; protect intact ecosystems

Define Biodiversity

number of different organisms, species, and ecosystems

Marine Mammal Protection Act

protects all marine mammals, including cetaceans (whales, dolphins, and porpoises), pinnipeds (seals and sea lions), sirenians (manatees and dugongs), sea otters, and polar bears within the waters of the United States.

Define biodiversity hotspots

regions with lots of species and endemic biodiversity

Non-native (alien) species are transplanted by

ships, other species, wind

Characteristics that increase the risk of a species becoming endangered

specialist in a food chain and valuable to humans

Define Extinct

species not observed for last 50 years

Define threatened

species vulnerable to extinction in the future

Why do biologists become concerned about invasive species?

they compete for resources more effectively than native species and become pest

What are the 2 main ways aquatic invasive species spread?

via *shipping* & *aquaculture*

invasive species

when alien species spread rapidly across large areas. Ex- Kudzu Vine, Zebra Mussel, Silver Carp