Chapter 16 (section Questions and take home Message)

Assessing biodiversity can be difficult because it must be considered at multiple levels, from entire ecosystems to species to genes and alleles. In practice, biodiversity is most often defined as the number of distinct species in a habitat, which has important implications for conservation biology—the field that addresses questions of how to preserve the natural resources of earth. Biodiversity is most commonly defined as the number of distinct species in a habitat. Although, sometimes, this is slightly modified to include the number of different classes or families of organisms. At what levels can biodiversity be considered?

Biodiversity can be considered at multiple levels, from the ecosystem to species to genes and alleles.

Why is acid rain bad?

Both terrestrial and aquatic organisms are harmed by acid precipitation, and the effects of acid precipitation can be direct or indirect. Direct effects result from contact of living tissues with acidic water, whereas indirect effects are produced by interactions between non-living and living systems.

What causes the problem of acid precipitation which kills plants and aquatic animals directly and also indirectly via changes in the soil and water chemistry

Burning fossil fuels release sulfur dioxide and nitrogen dioxide. these form sulfuric and nitric acid in water and causes acid rain. The solution is to have tighter regulations and reduction of these emission of these two molecules

A flagship species is one that: A. conservationists use to protect all of the other species that associate with it. B. humans have transported, usually through the shipping industry, from its natural habitat to an exotic location. C. conservationists use to increase public knowledge and support for all conservation issues. D. indicates the presence of a suite of species that associate with it in a particular ecosystem type. E. if removed from an ecosystem, will cause that ecosystem to collapse.

C

As acid falls on the soil, it carries away ________________ ions, which are essential nutrients for plants. A. calcium, phosphorus, nitrogen, and potassium B. calcium, potassium, magnesium, and aluminum C. calcium, potassium, magnesium, and sodium D. calcium, potassium, magnesium, and sulfur E. phosphorus, nitrogen, and potassium

C

Conservation biology has focused, in the past, on preserving individual species. Increasingly, there is a shift toward the preservation of important habitats, focusing on conserving communities and ecosystems. Several methods focusing on single species remain useful, however, particularly when preserving the selected species requires the preservation of an amount and type of habitat that simultaneously preserves many other species. The preservation of particularly distinctive, charismatic flagship species, such as the panda or mountain gorilla, can engender significant public support. Furthermore, preserving their habitats can serve to preserve many other species as well. Describe one of the other three strategies that has been particularly successful at preserving large amounts of biodiversity beyond a single species.

(1) Preservation of keystone species is particularly important, because their loss can lead to massive changes in the composition of species in an ecosystem. (2) Preservation of indicator species, whose presence is an indicator of air or water quality, helps to preserve conditions that make an ecosystem healthy. (3) The preservation of wide-ranging umbrella species with large needs for habitat and other resources results in the protection of numerous other species within the same habitat.

Tropical rainforests are being destroyed at an alarming rate. This deforestation is devastating, for two main reasons. First, tropical rainforests contain more species of plants and animals than all other terrestrial habitats combined, and half of the earth's biodiversity hotspots are in these forests. Second, tropical rainforests remove more carbon dioxide from the atmosphere than any other terrestrial habitat and, as a result, these forests are enormously important in limiting global warming. Deforestation further influences climate change by altering land cover characteristics. Programs addressing the complex difficulties of slowing tropical deforestation are beginning to see some encouraging results. List some of the challenges that must be faced in addressing the problem of tropical deforestation.

(1) The most diverse areas must be identified and protected, (2) the poverty that necessitates the destruction of tropical forests must be dealt with, (3) alternative sources of food and income must be developed, (4) population growth must be reduced, and (5) education about the value of preserving biodiversity must be increased.

What are the 3 steps in the chemistry of acid rain?

(it said study, but don't worry too much about the exact chemistry of the process) 1) Bruning fossil fuels reales the gasses of sulfur dioxide and nitrogen dioxide 2) When combined with water vapor in the atmosphere, these compounds form sulfuric acid and nitric acid 3) The acids fall to earth as acid precipitation

Carefully planned nature preserves focus on what features that maximize biodiversity?

-Larger, rather than smaller, preserves (including a preference for a single, undivided preserve over several smaller preserves) -Circular, rather than linear, preserves to reduce the negative effects at the preserve edges -Corridors—even just relatively narrow strips of land—that connect larger natural preserves, allow gene flow, and reduce inbreeding among distinct populations in the different preserves -Buffer zones (which permit limited amounts of human activity) around core areas (which contain the habitat to be conserved)

Why are invasive species bad?

1. Exotic species may have no predators or pathogens in their new habitat, so their populations may grow unchecked. 2. Native plants and animals may have no mechanisms to compete with or defend themselves against invading exotic species.

Today, the landscape of New England consists mainly of forests. One hundred and fifty years ago, the landscape of New England consisted: A. mainly of farms. B. of a mix of farms and prairies. C. mainly of forests. D. of a mix of forests and prairies. E. mainly of prairies.

A

Pará, in the Brazilian Amazon, for example, encouraging progress has been made. As of 2012, this region has nearly eliminated illegal deforestation by adopting what several new forest management practices?

Accountability and protection, Education, and Better forest management

Exotic or introduced species are species intentionally or accidentally introduced into a new habitat. They are considered invasive species if they cause harm in their new habitat. Exotic species often come to be considered invasive because, in the new habitat, they often have no natural predators to reduce their population size, and they often encounter prey that have few or no defenses. Invasive species can dominate and irreversibly alter communities and entire ecosystems. When does an "exotic species" become an "invasive species"? Name and briefly describe an example of an invasive species

An "exotic species" becomes an "invasive species" when its introduction into the new habitat causes harm. An example is the brown tree snake, (unintentionally) introduced to Guam sometime before 1952. This single species alone has eradicated nearly all of Guam's native bird species.

. An umbrella species: A. is a term used for any species with a larger than expected effect on its ecosystem. B. is a species whose protection results in the protection of many other species as well. C. is a species whose removal will severely damage or cause the collapse of its ecosystem. D. is a non-native species, usually introduced to an area on accident. E. is a popular species that the public tends to rally behind and support.

B

Biodiversity hotspots are defined by which two criteria? A. ecological diversity and species diversity B. number of endemic species and degree of threat C. species richness and ecosystem integrity D. size and distance from nearest alternative hotspot E. mean July temperature and predictability of fire

B

Exotic species can disrupt ecosystems because: A. they have better dispersal capabilities than endemic species. B. they frequently have no predators in their new habitat and grow unchecked. C. they are favored by ecotourists. D. they have no natural prey items and so must rely on humans for their survival. E. All of the above are correct.

B

A species has an increased chance of extinction when: A. it has a very expansive range. B. it has high levels of variation. C. it is involved in general biological interaction. D. it has a very low effective population size. E. it has a short generation time.

D

Increased exposure to short-wavelength ultraviolet radiation by depletion of stratospheric ozone: A. increases the rate of photosynthesis by plants. B. has raised the average daily temperature on the earth's surface by 4% per decade. C. has lowered the average daily temperature on the earth's surface by 4% per decade. D. reduces the rate of photosynthesis by plants. E. increase the acidification of lakes and streams

D

Overexploitation: A. is only a threat to rare or endemic species. B. has recently only been a significant problem in fisheries. C. is now easily prevented by using maximum sustainable yield calculations. D. is a major factor responsible for species extinction. E. is only a threat to commercially harvested organisms.

D

Which of the following situations is irreversible? A. the devastation caused by a volcanic eruption B. the loss of bacteria due to flooding C. the logging of a forest D. the loss of an entire species E. the decrease in whale populations due to hunting

D

Why are our cold waters in particular risk to acidification?

Due to the nature of the polar ice caps, the pH of the water is already low and as such those waters will be the first to feel the effects of an acidification.

Acid precipitation is largely caused by: A. deforestation and hairspray. B. the greenhouse effect. C. the release of chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs). D. the release of carbon dioxide from automobiles. E. the burning of sulfurous and nitrous fossil fuels.

E

Conservation biology: A. is an inexact, value-laden science. B. is a multidisciplinary science. C. often requires making decisions in the absence of complete information. D. requires eternal vigilance. E. is all of the above.

E

Exotic species are a significant threat because they: A. may outcompete or prey upon native species. B. generally have no natural predators to keep their population in check. C. can cause significant structural and economic damage. D. a and b only are correct. E. All of the above are correct.

E

Maintaining the planet's biodiversity is important for all of the following reasons EXCEPT: A. generating the natural water supply. B. recycling important nutrients. C. regulating the chemistry of the planet's atmosphere. D. pollinating the crops humans depend on for food. E. keeping public parks clean.

E

Ozone holes tend to form in the stratosphere over: A. areas of high industrial activity. B. areas with high greenhouse gas concentrations. C. the continents. D. the oceans. E. the poles.

E

Species diversity: A. increases as you move away from the equator in both terrestrial and marine ecosystems. B. is not predictable relative to how close an ecosystem is to the equator. C. decreases as you move away from the equator in marine ecosystems, but increases as you move away from the equator in terrestrial ecosystems. D. decreases as you move away from the equator in terrestrial ecosystems, but increases as you move away from the equator in marine ecosystems. E. decreases as you move away from the equator in both terrestrial and marine ecosystems.

E

The chief concern among conservation biologists trying to protect small populations is: A. predator density. B. runaway selection. C. interspecific competition. D. intraspecific competition. E. genetic diversity.

E

When preserving areas to act as reservoirs for biodiversity, corridors are important because: A. they decrease the rates of local extinctions. B. they increase the interactions at the edges of ecosystems, thus increasing species diversity. C. they increase the interactions at the edges of ecosystems, thus decreasing species diversity. D. they increase the rates of local extinctions. E. they increase rates of gene flow between the areas they connect.

E

Which of the following is considered a form of habitat degradation? A. mining B. agriculture C. logging D. fisheries E. All of the above.

E

biodiversity hotspot is: A. a significant reservoir of biological diversity. B. an area encompassing the tropical rainforests of South America and southeast Asia. C. a highly threatened area. D. All of the above are correct. E. Only A and B are correct.

E

An ecosystem disturbance is reversible as long as the disturbance does not include the complete extinction of any species, so they can re-establish their populations. An ecosystem disturbance that involves the complete loss of a species to extinction is irreversible because a species, once lost, can never exist again. Describe the conditions under which an ecosystem disturbance is reversible.

Ecosystem disturbances are only reversible when the alteration of the habitat does not include the complete extinction of any species.

Most biologists believe that we are currently in the midst of a mass extinction, that it is the result of human activities, and that it poses a serious threat to the future survival of humans. Biologists believe we are in the midst of a mass extinction. How is this supported in terms of historical background extinction rates and the current extinction rates?

Historical evidence from the fossil record indicates that background extinction rates are about one extinction per million species per year. Current extinction rates may be 1,000 times (or more) greater than this.

Following a massive oil leak in the Gulf of Mexico, researchers noted a rapid disappearance of methane. Finding a simultaneous drop in the oxygen saturation of the water, the researchers were able to determine that populations of bacteria already living in the area grew rapidly in response to the new food source and consumed the methane. Why would an oil spill of a similar magnitude in the Arctic potentially be more devastating than the 2010 Gulf of Mexico spill?

Natural oil is constantly seeping from the ground in the Gulf of Mexico. Therefore, methane-consuming bacteria were already in place, meaning they were able to respond quickly when the 2010 oil spill occurred. On the other hand, natural oil seepage does not occur in the Arctic, which means there are no oil-eating microbes in place that could handle a similar spill. Consequently, the effects could be more environmentally devastating.

Ozone in the stratosphere prevents short-wavelength ultraviolet light (UVB) from reaching the earth's surface, but for many decades the amount of ozone was decreasing, largely due to synthetic chemicals called chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs). An increase in UVB light reaching the earth's surface can seriously damage ecosystems and has adverse effects on health, including increasing the incidence of skin cancer in humans and other animals. A decline in the production and use of CFCs is reducing atmospheric ozone depletion, and a full recovery of the ozone layer appears possible. What is ozone? Why has the hole in the earth's ozone layer been such a concern for decades, and what measures have been taken to reverse the trend?

Ozone is a molecular arrangement of oxygen with 3 oxygen atoms in a molecule. In earth's stratosphere, ozone protects us from ultraviolet radiation. Ozone depletion and holes in the ozone layer allow increased levels of ultraviolet light to reach earth's surface, leading to health problems, including skin cancer, and decreased photosynthesis in plants. Scientists determined ozone depletion was the result of manmade chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), leaking into our atmosphere. In the 1980s, most nations banned the use of CFCs. Ozone levels have since stabilized, and a full recovery could happen by 2050.

what are the two major effects of the destruction of the rain forests?

Reducing Biodiversity and Increasing Greenhouse gasses

Biodiversity is more than?

Than just a counting of species. It encompasses the genetic variability among organisms within a species, the variety of different species, and the variety of ecosystems on earth

What causes the problem of radically increasing global temperatures over the past 50 years. This has affected both the physical environment and the biological world

The burning of fossil fuels and clearing land to cultivate crops have significantly increased levels of greenhouse gasses in the atmosphere. The solution is to reduce emission of greenhouse gasses

What are the main reasons for the 6th great extinction caused by Humans?

The chief reason for the loss and impending loss of so many species is habitat loss and habitat degradation, Overexploitation which includes the killing of animals for food, pelts, tusks or other body parts, and medicinal products, and The introduction of exotic species into habitats where they would not naturally be found is also having a significant adverse effect on biodiversity

What causes the problem of deforestation? Especially in tropical rain forests which are being cleared to unprecedentedly high rates, endangering countless species and increasing the concentration of greenhouse gasses in the atmosphere.

The land is cleared for agriculture, logging, gold mines, and oil wells. To solve this, we need reduced destruction of high-biodiversity habitats, particularly tropical rain forests.

Extinctions occur for fundamentally different reasons. Mass extinctions, which can destroy many or all of the species in an area, may reflect bad luck more than the particulars of a species' biology, including its biochemistry, physiology, and behavior. Background extinctions, on the other hand, tend to be a consequence of one or more features of the species' biology. Small population size, limited habitat range, and narrow habitat tolerance contribute to background extinctions. Describe a hypothetical species that would be at the highest risk of background extinction in terms of the factors of geographic range, population size, and habitat tolerance.

The unfortunate species would have a restricted geographic range, a small population, and a narrow habitat tolerance.

Biodiversity—the variety of genes, species, and ecosystems on earth—has intrinsic value as well as extrinsic value, or value to humans. The value of biodiversity to humans is often described in terms of four categories of ecosystem services: provisioning, cultural, regulating, and habitat services. These categories help distinguish among various utilitarian values, such as the production of food and medicines, aesthetic and symbolic value, and the regulation and support of our environments. What is the fundamental difference between extrinsic (utilitarian) and intrinsic values when it comes to biodiversity?

The utilitarian values (economic, pharmaceutical, industrial, cultural, etc.) of biodiversity are quantifiable and, in some ways, far easier to explain than the considerable intrinsic value of biodiversity, which is more of a philosophical view that biodiversity has value independent of its importance to humans.

What can you do to personally to help your carbon footprint?

Think about this, there is no right answer, but this will 99.9% be a free response question so have an answer semi prepared would be benneficial

Biodiversity is not evenly distributed over the earth. For nearly all groups of plants and animals, both marine and terrestrial, biodiversity is greatest near the equator and falls progressively toward the North and South Poles. Factors that influence the species richness in an area include the amount of solar energy available, the area's evolutionary history, and the rate of environmental disturbance. Biodiversity hotspots are regions of significant biodiversity under threat of destruction. What factors influence species richness? Why is there greater biodiversity near the equator?

Three factors play a strong role: (1) available solar energy (the "fuel" for life); (2) the evolutionary history of an area (the more time evolution has had to work within a community); and (3) the rate of environmental disturbance (intermediate levels of disturbance work in favor of greater species diversity, whereas low disturbance levels favor strong competitors dominating a community and high disturbance levels favor only a few hardy species). It just so happens that near the equator, these 3 factors coincide and support the greatest biodiversity of life on earth.

What causes the problem of introduced species which can harm habitats and their native populations?

When non-native species are introduced - accidentally or intentionally - and cause harm, they are called invasive species. Invasive species can multiply, unchecked by predation, overwhelming competitors and irreversibly alter ecosystems. A strategy for a solution is better regulation and restriction of intentional introductions and better vigilance against accidental introductions

Burning fossil fuels releases the gases sulfur dioxide and nitrogen dioxide, and these compounds form sulfuric and nitric acids when they combine with water vapor in the atmosphere. Rain, fog, sleet, and snow that contain these acids can be more than 10 times more acidic than clean rain. Acid precipitation kills plants and aquatic animals directly, by contact with living tissues, and indirectly, through changes in soil and water chemistry. What is the key factor that makes acid rain and acid fog more than just a local phenomenon?

Wind currents can carry sulfur dioxide and nitrogen dioxide far beyond the points of their origin. for example In the United States, the Midwest and Southeast have a large number of electric power plants that burn coal, and wind currents carry the sulfur dioxide and nitrogen dioxide produced from this combustion across the Northeast. The precipitation in the western states is not as acidic as that in the Northeast (but it's still significantly more acidic than clean rain). Much of this region's acid precipitation comes from sulfur dioxide and nitrogen dioxide from Asia, which are converted to acids as they blow eastward across the Pacific Ocean. Precipitation in Europe and Asia is also acidified by local and distant sources of pollution.

Carbon dioxide and methane are called "greenhouse gases" because they trap heat in the atmosphere. As humans burn fossil fuels and clear forests, the concentrations of greenhouse gases have been increasing and global temperatures have been rising. Ecological changes in plant and animal communities have already been observed and are likely to become more serious unless there is a global reduction in emissions of greenhouse gases. Is global warming real, and is it caused by human activities?

Yes to both. There is no longer any question that human activities contribute to global warming. Today, the most pressing issues are: (1) determining the effects of global warming and (2) determining how to stop the trend.