Species Extinction and Loss of Biodiversity
Name one endangered species, why it is endangered, and what is being done to protect it under the ESA
South China Tiger, endangered because of use of bones in Chinese medicine, under ESA import/export of bones is banned
Why is high genetic diversity beneficial to a species?
confers resistance to epidemic diseases, essential to the survival of a species during a time of ecological changes
Anthropogenic Extinction
elevated rate of species being lost due to human activities qualifies our current era as the sixth mass extinction
Why are specialized species vulnerable to extinction?
feeding patterns, symbiotic relationships
Three types of diversity
genetic, species, ecosystem
No. 1 cause of species extinction
habitat loss due to development and pollution
Causes of extinction
habitat loss, hunting/poaching, competition from invasives, biological control gone wrong
Efforts to protect endangered species
habitat protection, captive breeding programs
Interconnectedness of life in relation to biodiversity
if you remove one species, you risk entire ecosystem destruction
Why is biodiversity important?
interconnectedness of life, future resources, aesthetic and intrinsic value
Why are k-selected species vulnerable to extinction?
large body size, low birth rate
Species Diversity
measurement of how many different species are present in an ecosystem
Biodiversity
measurement of the variety of all different types of life on earth
Background Extinction
natural extinction, 10 species per yer, one extinction per million species
Endangered Species Act
provides protection for any species that is determined to be a threatened or endangered with extinction; include habitat protection, ban on disturbance/endangerment of listed species, ban on import/export of listed species or products derived form them
Convention on Internation Trade in Endangered Species (CITES)
regulates the transport of living organisms or products made from any organism on the red list
Ecosystem Diversity
representation of all the different types of ecosystems present in an area
Mass Extinction
series of events causing several different types of species to go extinct in a short period of time, must span over several regions
What characteristics make a species vulnerable to extinction?
specialist species, k-selected species, perception as pests, biomagnification, commercial value, medicinal uses,
Bilge water transport
spreads invasive species
Ecotourism
type of recreation in which people plan vacations specifically designed to visit a unique ecosystem or to see a specific type of plant/animal
Genetic Diversity
variety of different genetic traits and alleles found in the genome of a species