APES unit 6 2000 question 3 FRQ

name and describe one united states federal law or international treaty that is designed to prevent the extinction of species

Lacey Act-prohibits transport of protected species between states

identify one threatened or endangered species and explain why its population has declined

elephant- hunting/poaching for the ivory in their tusks;

present three arguments in favor of the maintenance of biodiversity

future medical resources (plants used to make medicine) scenic/aesthetic value (it's pretty) future food resources

describe three characteristics of organisms that would make them particularly vulnerable to extinction

low reproductive rate (generally 22 months and 5 years between each baby); elephants are considerably slower than most animals; are very large (large targets)