Chapter 11 Biozone

p. 233 2) Identify the threat to biodiversity that you perceive to be the most important and explain your choice:

I think that pollution and the pressure of human populations is the most important threat to biodiversity because it seems like it is the problem least likely to be solved, especially the pressure of human populations.

p. 238 1) Explain why in-situ conservation commonly involves both ecosystem restoration and legislation to protect species:

In-situ conservation commonly involves both ecosystem restoration and legislation to protect species because after the habitat is restored, people may begin/continue to hunt the species.

p. 240 5) Compare and contrast in-situ and ex-situ methods of conservation, including reference to the advantages and disadvantages of each approach:

In-situ methods of conservation are beneficial because they do not remove the species from their habitat, the species continues to adapt to its environment, it is able to help a larger quantity of organisms, and it is less expensive. Some disadvantages of in-situ conservation include, the difficulty to control illegal exploitation, habitats may need a multitude of work, and populations may continue to decline during restoration. Some advantages of ex-situ are the ability to regenerate a very endangered species. One disadvantage is the disability for some organisms to adapt back into the wild.

p. 240 4) Explain the importance of gene and seed banks, both to conservation and to agriculture:

Maintain the genetic diversity of species. Seeds form rare or endangered species are kept which might save the species.

p. 244 5) Large appealing animals are known as charismatic megafauna. Research shows these kinds of animals receive more more money and time more conservation efforts than less appealing organisms such as snakes, spiders, and plants. Suggest why this might be the case and explain how this could affect the conservation of biodiversity:

People like more appealing organisms more and they are more willing to give resources to help animals that are "cuter" opposed to more "ugly"

p. 244 6) Identify two species, other than those mentioned earlier, that have recently become extinct. Identify the date and possible reasons for their extinction:

The Baiji River Dolphin has recently become extinct (2006) this was possibly caused by the traffic of shipping boats. The Javan Tiger has recently become extinct (1979) this was possibly caused by overhunting and the loss of habitat.

p. 240 3) Describe the key roles of zoos and aquaria and explain the importance of each:

a) Both have roles in captive breeding programs. b)Zoos help educate the general population about threats facing species in the environment. c) Concentrate on particular species and are part of global programs that work together to help to retain genetic diversity of captivity bread animals.

p. 243 2) Use the data in the table to calculate the rate of species extinction per century for each group and how many times greater this is than the background extinction rate: a) Mammals: b) Reptiles: c) Amphibians: d) Plants:

a) Mammals: 17.4 b) Reptiles: 4.4 c) Amphibians: 7.8 d) Plants: 22.8

p. 236 2) Describe two good reasons why any species should be preserved from extinction:

a) Species should be preserved because the more biodiversity the more sustainable our planet is. b) Each species has a place in their ecosystem's food web and if they are removed the food web may go out of balance.

p. 236 3) a) Name an endangered species from your own country: b) Describe the probable cause of its decline:

a)The western grey squirrel is an endangered species in the U.S. b) the probable cause that this species is endangered is the decline in their habitat and their ability to only reproduce once a year.

p. 244 4) Humans are frequently not directly responsible for the extinction of a species, yet recently extinct species have often become so after humans arrive in their habitat. Discuss the reasons for these extinctions

Humans can bring invasive species or disease that can eventually kill the species by using their resources or they might not be able to fight off the disease. Humans also take the habitats of species and take away food sources.

p. 236 1) Identify the factors that have contributed to the extinction of one named animal species:

Hunting and limited habitat were two reasons the black rhino went extinct. They were hunted for their horns.

p. 244 3)Define the sixth extinction:

Humans are purposefully or not purposefully causing many species to go extinct

p. 233 1) Use your research tools to identify each of the 25 biodiversity hotspots illustrated in the diagram above. For each region, summarize the characteristics that have resulted on it being identified as a biodiversity hotspot. Present your summary as a short report.

-California Floristic Provence -Caribbean -Mesoamerica -Chocó/ Darién/Western Ecuador -Polynesia/Micronesia -Tropical Andes -Brazil's Cerrado -Brazil's Atlantic Forest -Central Chile -West African Forests -Mediterranean Basin -Succulent Karoo -Cape Floristic Provence -Eastern Arc and Coastal Forests of Tanzania/ Kenya -Caucasus -Indo-Burma -Western Ghats and Sri Lanka -Madagascar -Sundaland -Southwest Australia South-Central China -Philippines -Wallacea -New Caledonia -New Zealand Biodiversity Hotspots have a high biodiversity because their climate is mild and can sustain many different types of organisms.

p. 239 2) Explain why some animal species are more well suited to ex-situ conservation ethics than others:

Animal species that are highly endangered are more suitable for ex-situ conservation. Also, some species, especially aquatic, are not very stable for release into the wild because of their treatment in captivity.

P. 243 1) Explain why estimating the number of species on earth sf their rate of extinction is so difficult:

Estimating the extinction rate is very difficult because we do not know about all of the species that exist and we don't know about some extinctions.

p. 239 1) Describe the features of ex-situ conservation methods:

Ex-situ conservation method use captive breeding and release for species that are highly endangered.