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