WVHS APES The Sixth Mass Extinction Ch 18 Module 59

What factor has played the largest role in decreased diversity of domesticated species

A focus on High Yield (apple trees that produce the most fruit to sell)

threatened species

A species that could become endangered in the near future

Which group of organisms has the greatest number of extinctions since 1500

Amphibians

major extinction events

Major volcanic eruptions or meteor strikes which trigger massive numbers of species to die out. 75% is the minimum

What are the challenges presented when evaluating the status of different plant and animal species?

Many plant and animal species are data deficient and it costs millions of dollars and thousands of scientists to track one species for data

Why is it important to have a high genetic diversity in a population

Populations with Low genetic diversity are not well suited to survive environmental change and they are prone to inbreeding, depression (carrying recessive mutation genes, causing the offspring to receive two copies of the harmful mutation); as a result the offspring have a poor chance of survival.

Why do scientists think we are in the middle of a sixth mass extinction

Scientists estimate that the world is experiencing approximately 1000 species extinction per year! It is unique because it is happening over a short period of time, and is the first mass extinction to occur while humans have been present on Earth.

Least concern species

Species that are widespread and abundant

What is the intristic value of an ecosystem

Value independent of humans. We have an obligation to protect ecosystems and animals to survive even if it doesn't benefit us directly.

Intrinsic value of biodiversity

Value of biodiversity based on its existence, regardless of whether it has any usefulness to humans.

provision

a good that humans can use directly

Find an example of a plant or crop species that has decreased its genetic diversity and describe the consequences

in white eagle there were tons of ash trees around the neighborhood and the emerald ash boar beetle took control of all of them. this beetle is an invasive species and caused all the trees to be cut down.

instrumental value (or extrinsic value)

is the value of objects, not as ends-in-themselves, but as means of achieving something else. Provisions Regulating services Support systems Resilience Cultural services

Near-threatened species

species very likely to become threatened in the future

What is an example of a domesticated species that has declined in genetic diversity? Why did this happen and what are the negative consequences.

the Florida panther was reduced to such a small population that it suffered severe effects of inbreeding.

What has happened to the rate of species extinction over the last 50 years compared to rates from the past?

the major extinction events are characterized as a loss of at least 75 percent of all species within a period of 2 million years,