Levels of Biodiversity
What are the three levels of biodiversity?
Species, genetic, ecosystem
What is habitat destruction?
The loss of natural environments due to human activities.
What is a captive breeding program?
Breeding endangered species in controlled environments.
What is biodiversity?
The variety of life in an area.
What is the difference between endangered and threatened species?
Endangered species are at immediate risk of extinction; threatened species are likely to become endangered.
Which level of biodiversity refers to the variety of genes in a population?
Genetic diversity
Give one example of an invasive species.
Fire ants or zebra mussels.
Name one international treaty to protect endangered species
CITES(will accept others)
Name one way humans depend on biodiversity.
Food, medicine, clean air/water, etc.
What percentage of Earth's species could go extinct by 2100?
Up to 25%
Why is ecosystem diversity important?
It supports varied habitats and ecological processes.
Define "poaching."
Illegal hunting or harvesting of species.
Why is protecting ecosystems more effective than protecting individual species?
It preserves habitats for multiple species.
What happens to ecosystems when a keystone species disappears?
The ecosystem may collapse.
What is the Endangered Species Act?
A U.S. law that protects endangered and threatened species.
Name one example of a keystone species.
Sea otter, but if you said something else I'll google it really quick if I am unsure.
What is overharvesting?
Excessive use of a species for food, medicine, or other products.
What is a biodiversity hotspot?
An area with high species diversity and significant threats.
What is ecotourism?
Tourism that supports conservation efforts
What is habitat fragmentation?
Breaking up habitats into smaller pieces, often by roads or development.
What is the largest contributor to biodiversity loss?
Habitat destruction
How do pollutants like DDT harm species?
They accumulate in the food chain, causing reproductive issues or death.
What is germ plasm, and how is it used?
Genetic material preserved for research and recovery efforts.
Name one example of a medicinal product derived from a species.
Penicillin from fungi.
Why are tropical rainforests critical for biodiversity?
They house over half of the world’s species