Biology - Chapter 18: Biodiversity and Conservation

Vinblastine and Vincristine

Isolated from the Madagascar Periwinkle plant. Effective in treating leukemia and Hodgskin’s lymphoma.

Ancrod

Found only in Malayan pit viper snakes. Dissolves blood clots and is effective in treating some patients who experience heart attacks and strokes.

Epibatidine

A poisonous compound in the saliva of a small frog that lives in Ecuador. It’s 200 times more effective than morphine in relieving pain and is non-addictive.

Biodiversity

The variety and variability among all genes, species, and ecosystems.

practical, unexpected, detrimental

Earth’s biodiversity has lots of _________ value to humans and comes from many __________ places. Because of this, losing biodiversity can be extremely ___________ to humans.

Ecosystem Services

The utilitarian value of biodiversity to humans described in terms of four distinct categories of services: provisioning, regulating, habitat, and cultural services.

Intrinsic Value

The inherent value of biodiversity, independent of its value to humans.

Extrinsic (Utilitarian) Value

The Value of biodiversity to humans, often described as ecosystem services, can be grouped in four categories of services.

Provisioning Services

Food, raw materials, fresh water, medicines are what kind of ecosystem services?

Habitat Services

Habitats for species and maintenance of genetic diversity are what kind of ecosystem services?

Regulating Services

Air, water, and soil quality. Carbon storage and climate regulation, pollination and biological control are what kind of ecosystem services?

Cultural Services

Aesthetics and inspiration, recreation and mental health, and tourism are what kind of ecosystem services?

Conservation Biology

An interdisciplinary field, drawing on ecology, economics, psychology, sociology, and political science, that studies and devises ways of preserving and protecting biodiversity and other natural resources.

Ecosystems, species, genes and alleles

What are the 3 levels of biodiversity?

Species Richness

The number of different species in a given area.

Species richness

Solar energy available, evolutionary history of an area, and rate of disturbance are factors that influence what?

Biodiversity Hotspots

Regions of the world with significant reservoirs of biodiversity that are under threat of destruction.

36, 2.5%, 20%, 40%

__ biodiversity hotspots have been identified around the world. They cover just ____ of the world’s area but are home to about ___ of the world’s species, including more than ___ of bird, mammal, reptile, and amphibian species.

Tropical rainforests, Coral reefs, Islands

Habitats included among the biodiversity hotspots are:

Mass Extinction

A large number of species–even entire families–become extinct over a short period of time due to extraordinary and sudden environmental change.

human, mass

Current unusually high extinction rates suggest _____ activities may be causing another ____ extinction

Background extinction

These extinctions occur at lower rates during times other than mass extinctions.

Mass Extinction

The features of a species’ biology doesn’t necessarily play are role in the cause of this kind of extinction. It’s more so bad luck.

Background Extinction

This kind of extinction tends to be the consequence of one or more aspects of a species’ biology.

extinction risk

Geographic Range, Local Population Size, and Habitat Tolerance are the 3 important aspects of a species’ biology that influence its what?

Geographic Range

(Extensive vs. Restricted) Species restricted in their range are more vulnerable than those with extensive ranges.

Local Population Size

(Large vs. Small) Species with small population sizes are at increased risk of extinction.

Habitat Tolerance

(Broad vs. Narrow) Species with narrow habitat tolerances are at greater risk of extinction than species with broader habitat tolerances.

loss, degradation

The chief reason for the loss and impending loss of so many species is habitat ____ and habitat ___________.

reversible, biotic, abiotic, extinction

The effects of an ecosystem disturbance such as a cleared forest are __________ when the disturbance alters the ______ and _______ components of habitats but doesn’t cause the complete __________ of any species. The species may recover and reestablish their populations.

human activities

Introduced non-native species, acid rain, greenhouse gas releases, and tropical deforestation are all what kinds of activities that damages the environment?

Introduced Species

Species introduced by human activities to areas other than the species’ native range. Also called exotic species.

Invasive Species

Species introduced by human activities, intentionally or accidentally, to areas other than the species’ native range that cause economic or environmental harm, or harm to human health.

Introduced species

May have no predators or pathogens in their new habitat, so their populations may grow unchecked.

Native plants and animals may have no mechanisms to compete with or defend themselves against these species.

These are characteristics of what?

Acid Rain

Caused by sulfur and nitrogen emissions. Lowers Ph of Lakes and soil. Harms plant and aquatic life. Greatest impact in industrial regions of North America and and Europe.

Habitat destruction, Climate change, Pollution, Overexploitation (hunting, fishing), Invasive species

What are the major threats to species?

Eutrophication

Excess Nutrients (nitrogen, phosphorus) enter water.

Often from agriculture and fertilizer runoff

Causes algal blooms

Leads to oxygen depletion and fish die-offs.

Conservation approaches

Species Protection Laws, Habitat preservation and restoration, Captive breeding programs, Sustainable resource management, and Community based conservation are all what?

5

Earth has experienced how many major mass extinction events?

vulnerable

Small population sizes, Narrow geographic ranges, Low reproductive rates, Specialized diets or habitats, Sensitivity to environmental changes all make species more….

equator

Biodiversity is the highest near the _______ in tropical rainforests and coral reefs

Warm temperatures, High rainfall, Stable climates over long periods, and High primary productivity

What factors contribute to high biodiversity?

healthier ecosystems

Greater biodiversity =

Greenhouse Effect

The process by which energy from the sun warms the earth’s atmosphere.

Reducing Biodiversity and Increasing Greenhouse Gases

Destruction of tropical rainforests has two serious environmental impacts:

Ozone

A different molecular arrangement of oxygen that packs three oxygen atoms into a molecule; its chemical formula is O3.

At ground level ozone

This layer of ozone is bad for you and lower to the ground.

Higher up ozone

This layer of ozone is good for you and is in the lower part of the stratosphere and protects you from ultraviolet radiation.

Ozone Depletion

1. The general reduction in the amount of ozone in the stratosphere.

2. The formation of areas, called ozone holes, that have very low ozone concentration. These holes occur over the north and south poles every winter.

These are the two types of what?

chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs)

The synthetic chemicals that cause both forms of ozone depletion.

Flagship Species

Some species, because they are particularly charismatic, distinctive, vulnerable, or otherwise appealing, can engender significant public support. Preservation of these species, given their habitat needs, can serve to preserve many other species as well. Examples: giant panda of China, the golden lion tamarin of Brazil’s coastal forest, the mountain gorilla of Central Africa.

Keystone Species

Species that if removed from their community can lead to massive changes in the composition of species in an ecosystem, often causing a huge loss of biodiversity. Examples: Kelp, California mussels, grizzly bears, beavers, and sea stars.

Indicator Species

These are species whose presence within an ecosystem informs us about the presence or well-being of a large range of other species. Examples: Lichens.

Umbrella Species

These wide-ranging species require large habitats and other resources, so their preservation simultaneously protects numerous other species within that same habitat. Example: Northern spotted owls, Amur tigers.