APES Evolution

wgat is the largest impact on species diversity

habitat loss

what are examples of habit loss or how is it shown

-deforestation has been destroying natural havitats to create room for urbanization or agricultural practices

how does habitat fragmentation occur

when large adjacent ecosystems are divided into smaller, more isolated areas by the addition of:

-housing developments

-urban areas

-roadways

-creating agricultural fields

if habitat space is being reduce wgat is the impact to pop. density

increases population density therefore increasing competition for predators

describe the edge habitat

as large patches of the ecosystem are cut the habitat of the edge increases while core habitat is reduced

whats edge habitat

the habitats at the edge of mainland or island

whats core habitat

the habitats at the center of the mainland or island

why is it dangerous to tge ecosystem stability when edge habitat increases and core habitat is reduced

edge habitat is more vulnerable to disturbance than core habitat

what orher factor decreases genetic diversity (think population closeness wise)

isolation from other members of the pop. can lead to decrease in genetic diversity and inability to find a mate, further decreasing pop. numbers

whats an invasive species

species introduced to ecosystem that is not native to that habitat. who disrupt and affect an environment

describe how an invasive species be introduced to a new ecosystem

-some humans deliberately introduced some species for new food crops, medicines, or soil erosion control

-yet, many species are accidentally introduced as they “hitchhike” their way across the globe through transport

what qualifies an invasive species

-new species out competes native species for resources

-do not have any known predators in new environment

what kind of reproduction do invasive species typically have

HIGH reproductive rate

(r-selected)

Generalists

what is background extinction

slow, continuous, loss of species over time

what is mass extinction

huge events that rapidly increase the rate of extinction (QUICKLY)

fun fact:

the 5 mass extinctions on Earth eliminated what percentage of species on the planet

50-95%

whats a biological extinction

when a species is no longer found in any ecosystem on earth

how fast do biological extinctions occur (2 answers)

-it can occur naturally

-some species are being prematurely extinct at a RAPID rate because of…

Humans.

what are the 2 categories that scientists have to describe organisms at risk for biological extinction

endangered species

threatened species

whta are endangered species

organisms whose pop. size has decreased to such a low level, they are at extreme risk of being extinct

define “threatened species”

organisms whose populations are declining due to human activity and could potentially become endangered (in the near future)

what are characteristics some species have that make them vulnerable to possible extinction

-low reproduction rate (K-selected)

-need for large territories

-feeding at the top of the food chain

-specialized niche

-narrow distribution

US Endangered Species Act of 1973:

the law is intended to identify and provide protection for organisms that are at risk for extinction.

the act prohibits all federal agencies from following through with projects that would change or destroy the habitat of an identified endangered species.

the law also allows for fines to be imposed on private lands that modified or disrupted the habitat of an endangered species

Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITIES):

this 1975 treaty to

place bans on the selling, hunting, or capturing of threatened or endangered species

has now been signed by 172 countries

HOWEVER.

the strength of this treaty varies on how well it is actually enforced in the different countries

what is overharvesting

fishing practices that targets valuable fish species and net many other species who are also killed in miles of netting and baited hooks

bycatch is what

the species caught unintentionally by fishers who overfish to find valuable fish. accidentally catching nontarget fish

fun fact

bycatcg composes what percentage of the catch

25%

how does most of the pollution gets to the ocean

land based activities near the coast

what are examples of pollutants for the coast

-runoff of sediments from building abd agricultural activities

-fertilizers

-pesticides

-industrial solvents & waste

-plastics

-excess nutrients from animal feedlots or sewage

how does rising sea levels impact ocean

cause habitat destruction to coral reefs and mangroves

reduction of floating ice in poles

-polar bears need that to hunt

solutions dor sustaining marine biodiversity

• practice sustainable commercial fishing that reduces bycatch

• set catcg limits for commercial fish species below sustainable maximum yield

• filter organisms from ship ballast water to reduce invasive species

• establish no-fishing zones and marine sanctuaries

• reduce CO2 emissions to reduce impacts of climate change

• use integrated coastal management techniques

Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972:

This act prohibits, with certain exceptions, any U.S. citizen from harassing, hunting, or killing any marine mammals.

riparian zones

strips of vegetation that surround streams & rivers

why have river species been depleted

building of dams along our major rivers, limiting the flow of water and nutrient rich silt downstream

how are lakes being impacted

the overharvesting of water resources for agricultural irrigation practices and municipal use in homes and industries

what are the toxins entering freshwater systems from human activities

-pesticides

-industrial solvents

-oils

-sediments

-excess nutrients (animal waste & fertilizer)

what help do riparian zones provide

-natural buffer by controlling floods

-filtering and removing many of the toxins and excess nutrients before they reach the water

what human activity can destroy riparian zones

construction in the zones or the actual removal through stream channelization, can destroy stream ecosystem

what are some ways to sustain freshwater biodiversity

reusing treated wastewater for irrigation to reduce reservoir use

protecting and increasing riparian buffer zones

reducing fertilizer use

reducing use of pesticides

whats ecological footprint

the amount of biologically productive land and water that is required to provide all of the resources to support the lifestyle of the owner of the footprint

whats ecosystem services

nature providing humans with numerous economically valuable services

examples of ecosystem services

-pollination

-water purification & storage

-climate regulation

-flood control

-protection from UV radiation

-protection from storms

-pest control

-lumber production

-pharmaceutical production

-food production

-soil formation

what is Aldo Leopold known for

the land ethic, stating humans are only 1 member of a complex community and should not abuse nature as if it belongs to them

what’s pollution

the contamination of a resource that decreases its purity and renders it unsafe for human health

whats a point source

a source of pollution that introduces pollutants into the environment from a single point or source

whats a nonpoint source

a pollution source that introduces pollutants into the environment over a large area rather than at a single point