Exam 11: Biodiversity and Conservation Biology

Use the accompanying figure to answer the following questions. -There would be less loss of aesthetic and spiritual ties with nature if we ______________

The country of Belize depends on lobster for a major portion of its income, along with fishing and tourism. Over the past 30 years the average size of an individual lobster has dropped, even as increasing numbers of Belizeans buy boats, build lobster traps, and enter the industry. This is an example of ____________

Both and can change local species diversity but not global species diversity?

Biodiversity enhances human food security because it ________________

Differences in DNA composition among individuals within a given species

What is the greatest contributing factor in the loss of polar bears in arctic areas?

What is the value, to humankind, of biodiversity?

Provide several reasons why our estimates of species numbers are incomplete.

The IUCN's Red List is ____________

A population differentiating, over time, into a new species

The greatest cause of the worldwide loss of species is ____________

Bullfrog tadpoles are often sold as fish bait, even in areas where they do not occur naturally. When people buy 10 of them and don't use them all, they often dump the remainder into the lake or river. This is an example of ______________

Is extinction natural? How has the extinction rate changed over time? Why are extinction rates today different than in the past?

Read the following scenario and answer the question below. Many biologists and environmental educators are interested in maintaining biodiversity in urban landscapes, where preserves or reserves are scarce unless land has been set aside for them in urban planning. Nonetheless, they have discovered that making even small changes in commercial and residential landscaping can help promote biodiversity. Some of the changes that have been recommended and been successful include using native species for street trees and for decorative landscaping, reducing pesticide use on lawns and gardens, and reducing fertilizer use through composting and mulching. Also, managers of schools, larger businesses, and residences are encouraged to increase habitat diversity by creating "landscape islands" that include larger trees surrounded by shrubs and herbaceous plants. Landscape islands ideally should include native species, mixed with exotic ornamentals at the discretion of the land owners. -Being interested in native butterflies, you include the native caterpillar host plants of several butterflies in your annual landscape design. You are happy to see that first caterpillars and later butterflies appear in your yard. However, the butterflies tend to disperse out of your yard. To keep the butterflies in your garden, an urban wildlife specialist suggests you ______________

What is the Endangered Species Act? Describe one of its successes and explain some of the current controversies surrounding it.

What are the major causes of the sixth mass extinction event, and why is it of particular concern?

The loss of species from the planet

The connections that human beings subconsciously seek with the rest of life

In general, successfully introduced species experience ____________

Wildlife in the Serengeti is currently threatened by ____________