Ch. 24: Biodiversity and Planetary Issues parts 1 and 2

what is the overview effect and how did it change the way people viewed the planet?

the effect that spaceflight and images of the earth have had on people. they’ve moved people to care more about the planet and places that they have never been because they can actually see them now

define biodiversity

diversity of life and species

biodiversity is important because (5)

1.     human value and survival – animal food, forests produce lumber and oxygen, medicine, crops

2.     symbolic, religious, and cultural value – bald eagles, scarab beetle, bison

3.     psychological value – beautiful

4.     all life is interconnected

5.     intrinsic value – something value simply because it exists

what group of animals are the most common organisms on the planet?

insects

what is a keystone species?

a species that when present, keeps biodiversity high

why might it be important to identify keystone species? give examples of a few

because they create healthier environments and help more species survive, so in all, they hold an ecosystem together. wolves, sea stars, sea otters

name the 3 biodiversity hotspots around the world

islands, coral reefs, tropical rain forests

why are some species more at risk than others? (3)

small geographic range, small population, specialized habitat needs (monarch butterfly and milkweed)

what is the shape of the curve of human population growth? what historical event increased human population?

j shaped. the industrial revoultion

how many mass extinctions have there been in the past? 

5

if we are entering another mass extinction what number would it be and how is it different from past mass extinctions?

6th mass extinction. it is different than past extinctions because it is occurring at a much higher rate due to human influences

what is the biggest threat to biodiversity overall?

human influence → habitat loss

name the main threats to biodiversity (5). are they all human induced?

habitat loss, invasive species, overexploitation, climate change, pollution

what is the biggest threat to terrestrial organisms?

habitat loss

what is the biggest threat to marine organisms?

overexploitation/overharvesting

explain what an invasive species is and why they are a problem. give a few examples.

a species that is nonnative and overtakes a habitat by outcompeting other species. zebra mussels, spotted lanternfies

explain what overexploitation/overharvesting is

harvesting a renewable resource to the point of diminishing returns, occurs when harvesting exceeds the reproduction of wild plant and animal species

where on the planet is overexploitation and overharvesting the biggest problem?

the ocean

give examples of overexploitation (5)

shark finning, the fur trade, coral reefs, rhino horning, pangolin scales

what group of people is the biggest contributor to the exotic pet trade?

Americans

if you buy exotic pets, why should you buy captively bred ones?

they are less likely to die because they won’t experience the stress of being taken from their habitat and transported long distances

explain how the following contribute to habitat loss or degradation: roads, buildings with lots of windows, agriculture.

roads block pathways to breeding grounds for animals and cars hit and kill animals. buildings take up more and more space, reducing space for habitats. agriculture removes trees and habitats

does it take a lot of water and land to produce a hamburger?

yes, land the size of a football field is needed to produce 250 burgers, and 53 gallons of water for 1 burger

does agriculture lead to the loss of a lot of land?

yes, especially coffee

what are 2 things talked about that trees do that are beneficial? how might trees be beneficial to you?

produce O2 and reduce CO2. spending time with trees and nature can boost physical and mental health

why are lawns poor habitat for wildlife? what is a better option?

they provide species no food or place to live. native wildflower gardens are a better option

what are the 2 main underlying things that humans do that increase disease spread and pandemics?

• we’re bringing wildlife into our world, and they have bacteria living in them that we are not immune to

• we’re intruding into wildlife habitats

the coronavirus pandemic likely started from what animal?

bats