Biodiversity Basics
What scientist classifies organisms into groups based on shared characteristics?
What is a taxonomist?
Which is the most direct way biodiversity can provide income?
What is ecotourism?
Biodiversity generally increases as you move toward the ________.
What is the equator?
Name one major cause of biodiversity loss.
Habitat alteration / invasive species / pollution / overharvesting / climate change
What conservation strategy raises animals in zoos and controlled environments?
What is captive breeding?
What level of biodiversity refers to differences in DNA among individuals of the same species?
What is genetic diversity?
Why can ecotourism help protect biodiversity?
It provides economic incentives to conserve ecosystems.
An ecosystem is considered stable if it is both ______ and ______.
What are resistant and resilient?
Which of the following is NOT a cause of biodiversity loss:
habitat loss, pollution, invasive species, photosynthesis
What is photosynthesis?
What is the goal of Species Survival Plans (SSPs)?
To manage, protect, and reintroduce threatened and endangered species.
Which level of biodiversity is the easiest to measure and visualize?
What is species diversity?
CITES and the Convention on Biological Diversity are examples of what?
What are international treaties?
What is habitat fragmentation?
What is the breaking up of large habitats into smaller, isolated pieces?
What happens to species richness as habitats become more fragmented?
It usually decreases.
Which conservation approach protects entire ecosystems instead of single species?
What is mapping biodiversity hotspots?
What term describes the variety of life across all levels of ecological organization?
What is biodiversity?
Which organization helps coordinate biodiversity treaties worldwide?
What is the United Nations?
Why does habitat fragmentation harm biodiversity?
It isolates populations and limits movement, breeding, and resources.
Why are invasive species a threat to biodiversity?
They outcompete native species and disrupt ecosystems.
Relieving a country’s debt in exchange for protecting biodiversity is called a ________.
What is a debt-for-nature swap?
What are the three main levels of biodiversity?
What are genetic diversity, species diversity, and ecosystem diversity?
Do most scientists agree that cloning is very helpful in preventing biodiversity loss?
What is no?
What is one strategy used to reduce the effects of habitat fragmentation?
What are wildlife corridors or habitat restoration?
Why do scientists believe Earth may be experiencing a modern mass extinction?
Because human activity is causing species to go extinct at unusually high rates.
Why are biodiversity hotspots considered so critical?
They contain many unique species in small areas.