Chapter 6 – Wild Species and Biodiversity
What are the three (3) kinds of “biodiversity”? About how many species are currently described?
Genetic diversity
Species diversity
Ecosystem diversity
Of the water on planet Earth, how much is freshwater that is available for human use?
About 0.77% of freshwater is available for human use.
What are the main problems with how water is currently being diverted from surface waters (e.g., dams)?
Diverting water with dams and canals disrupts natural river flow, damages ecosystems, blocks fish migration, and traps sediment that would normally replenish downstream habitats. It can also reduce water quality, cause conflicts over water use, and lead to long-term environmental degradation.
How can water demands be reduced in agriculture, industry, and households?
Water demand can be reduced by using efficient irrigation methods in agriculture (such as drip irrigation), recycling and reusing water in industry, and conserving water at home by fixing leaks, using low-flow fixtures, and reducing unnecessary use.
Precipitation
Water falling from the atmosphere (rain, snow, etc.)
Compare instrumental value and intrinsic value as they relate to the worth of natural species.
Instrumental value - its existence or use benefits some other entity (by providing food, shelter, or a source of income).
Intrinsic value - has value for its own sake; that is, it does not have to be useful to us to possess value.
What are the three major human uses of water? What are the major sources of water for human use?
Agriculture use (Crops, livestock, takes up about 75% of water usage)
Industrial use (Manufacturing, electric cooldown)
Domestic Consumption (Drinking, etc.)
How will climate change affect the hydrologic cycle?
Climate change speeds up the hydrologic cycle by increasing evaporation and atmospheric moisture, leading to heavier rainfall, more flooding, and more severe droughts as water is distributed unevenly.
What is the average amount of water consumed in a USA household for direct and indirect usage?
A typical household in the United States consumes an average of 380 liters (100 gal.) per person per day. If all indirect uses are added (especially irrigation), this figure increases to 4,200 liters (1,100 gal.) per person per day.
Mitigation of climate change
Actions to reduce causes of climate change (cut emissions, use renewable energy).
What is the value of ‘wild genes’ to our domesticated food crops?
Wild species and their genes represent biological wealth, providing the basis for the goods and services.
How does deforestation or urbanization change the pathway of water? How does it affect Humans?
Changes to the Earth's surface include the loss of vegetation, the taming of rivers and wetlands, and the construction of structures and dams.
How do dams facilitate the control of surface waters? What kinds of impacts do they have?
Dams control surface water by storing it in reservoirs and regulating river flow for uses like irrigation, drinking water, flood control, and hydroelectric power. However, they can harm ecosystems, block fish migration, trap sediment, and displace communities.
What are water subsidies, and why are they a big issue?
Water subsidies are when the government lowers the cost of water for certain groups of people, which can become a big issue because of things like waste, environmental damage, and issues with the economy due to water being underpriced.
Deforestation
Clearing of forests for land use (farming, development)
What are the current threats to biodiversity as described by the acronym HIPPO?
Habitat destruction
Invasive species
Pollution
Population
Overexploitation
Describe the hydrologic cycle, including each of its three loops—evaporation, runoff, and groundwater.
The hydrologic cycle is the continuous movement of water between the atmosphere, land, and oceans.
Evaporation loop: Water evaporates from oceans and land, forms clouds, and returns as precipitation.
Runoff loop: Water flows over the surface into rivers, lakes, and eventually the ocean.
Groundwater loop: Water soaks into the ground, is stored in aquifers, and slowly moves back to the surface or oceans.
What is the difference between consumptive and nonconsumptive water use?
Consumptive - The use of water for such things as irrigation, wherein the water does not remain available for potential purification and reuse.
Non consumptive - Uses for water in which the water remains available for further uses.
Groundwater flow
Movement of water underground through soil and rock layers.
Aquifer
An underground layer of rock or sediment that stores and transmits groundwater.
What is the purpose of the Endangered Species Act (ESA)? What are the three crucial elements of the ESA?
Purpose - Recall that an endangered species is a species that has been reduced to the point where it is in imminent danger of becoming extinct if protection is not provided
1. Listing - Species may be listed by the appropriate agency or by petition from individuals, groups, or state agencies.
2. Critical Habitat - When a species is listed, the agency must also designate as critical habitat the areas where the species is currently found or where it could likely spread as it recovers.
3. Recovery Plans - The agency is required to develop recovery plans that are designed to allow listed species to survive and thrive.
Be familiar with the Aral Sea and Manupali River case studies. What can we learn from them?
The Aral Sea was drained for farming, causing it to shrink drastically. It destroyed ecosystems, hurt community health, and collapsed. Manupali River was farmed, and deforestation caused erosion, leading
Distinguish between renewable and nonrenewable groundwater resources and their consequences.
Renewable groundwater is naturally replenished by precipitation and recharge, so it can be used sustainably if not overdrawn. Nonrenewable groundwater (such as fossil water) is not replenished on human timescales, so its use leads to depletion, land subsidence, and long-term water shortages.
What are the five options for meeting growing water demands, and what are their problems and benefits?
C - Capturing Runoff
G - Gain access to aquifers
D - Desalination
C - Conserving by using less water
M - Making food efficiently
Drip irrigation
Water delivered slowly directly to plant roots (very efficient).