Biodiversity Basics
What are the three main types of biodiversity?
Genetic, species, and ecosystem diversity
What term describes the illegal harvesting of animals or plants?
Poaching
Wildlife experts attempt to restore the population through-
Captive-breeding programs
In 1973 the U.S. Congress passed which Environmental law?
Endangered Species Act
What organization publishes the Red List of endangered species?
IUCN
Why is there a large range in estimated total species on Earth?
-Species can be difficult to find and identify.
-Species are not evenly distributed globally
What is an exotic species?
A species not native to the region where it is found
What is germ plasm?
Hereditary material like genes and chromosomes. Can be seeds, sperm, or egg
What is the main purpose of the Endangered Species Act?
To protect any species in danger of extinction
Which types of organizations can be even be more effective than government agencies?
Private Conservation
What is the main benefit of high biodiversity in an ecosystem?
It increases ecosystem stability
A species that is native to a particular place and that is found only there
Endemic Species
What is the most effective way to protect species?
By protecting and preserving their natural habitats
Which U.S. agency maintains the list of endangered species?
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS)
What is the main goal of the World Wildlife Fund (WWF)?
Encouraging sustainable resource use and wildlife protection
The most threatened areas of high species diversity on Earth are called-
Biodiversity Hotspots
Which pesticide nearly wiped out bald eagles in the U.S.?
DDT
Why do conservationists prioritize entire ecosystems instead of individual species?
Protecting ecosystems saves multiple species and maintains ecological balance
Which international treaty was responsible for the total ban on the selling, import, and export of ivory
CITES
What does the Nature Conservancy focus on
Purchasing and protecting land for habitat preservation
What is the hierarchy of taxonomic groups?
Domain, Kingdom, Phylum, Class, Order, Family, Genus, Species
Name one major human activity that leads to species extinction
Habitat destruction, pollution, or overharvesting
What are the two main conservation strategies we covered in class
- identify areas of native habitat that can be preserved, restored, and linked into large networks.
-promote products that have been harvested with sustainable practices
What treaty was a product of the United Nations Earth Summit Convention?
Biodiversity Treaty
What is Conservation International best known for?
Identifying biodiversity hotspots around the world