Topic 4 Conservation and Biodiversity
Notes Ch. 5 Biodiversity
No text book -see scanned chapter on Moodle
1. Define (keep as simple as possible and use examples) :
a) hotspots
b) endemic species
c) exotic species
d) keystone species
e) endangered species
f) species
g) population
h) biodiversity
i) genetic diversity
j) back ground extinction rate
k) habitat diversity
l) diversity index
m) natural selection
n) continental drift
o) plate tectonics
p) lithosphere
q) core
r) mantle
s) crust
t) subduction
u) mid- Atlantic ridge
v) evolution
1
2. Total World Biodiversity
A)
B)
C)
D)
E)
How many “known” species?
How many estimated species?
List 4 kingdoms of organisms
Which major group of which kingdom has highest % identified ?
Which major group of which kingdom has lowest % identified?
2
3. Background and Mass Extinctions
A) Define background rate and approximate number
B) What are some factors surrounding the background rate that are difficult to
explain?
3
4. Geological Time Scale
Know the following:
A)
B)
C)
D)
E)
age of earth and the universe
extinction date of dinosaurs
when humans appeared
Sequence of major eras : Precambrian, Paleozoic, Mesozoic and Cenozoic
Over how many years did the last 5 mass extinctions occur ?
4
5. The Sixth Mass Extinction
A)
B)
C)
D)
E)
F)
What is the cause?
What is a “weedy” species?
Are we a “weedy” species?
List 4 things humans do to be the direct cause of ecosystem stress :
Hotspots : Define the criteria that determines if an area is a Hotspot or not.
Define endemic species
6. Keystone Species – Types of Diversity
A) Define Keystone species and give 2 examples.
B) Explain biodiversity . Define three types of biodiversity with one example of each.
5
7. How New Species Form / Plate Influence on Biodiversity
A) Explain speciation as related to NATURAL SELECTION . Use the following in
your explanation :
-
geographical or reproductive barriers
genetic variation and competition among individuals and how this may lead to
speciation
limited resources
natural selection as a major force for speciation
how fast is speciation?
briefly explain 2 specific examples of speciation
B) Plate Influence and Continental Drift on Biodiversity
Explain effect of plate tectonics and continental drift on Llamas and camels; kangaroos
and cattle
6
8. Factors that affect Biodiversity (make sure you understand each one)
A)
B)
C)
-
List the factors that maintain biodiversity :
List the factors that lead to a loss of biodiversity :
Vulnerability of tropical rainforests:
what may happen in 50 years
contain ___ % of earths’ timber
once cleared rain forest can only grow crops for about two years , why?
7
9. Extinction
List the factors that make some species vulnerable to extinction ( make sure you
understand them). Think of some examples.
a)
b)
c)
d)
e)
f)
g)
h)
i)
j)
k)
Narrow geographical range
Small population
Low population densities and large territories
Few populations of the species
Large top predators ( p. 48 biomass pyramid )
Low reproductive potential
Seasonal Migrants
Poor dispersers
Specialized feeders or niche requirements
hunted for food or sport
Human activity causes extinction to occur faster vs. slower extinction rates due to
natural causes
8
10. Case Studies - Know all
Find an example in the textbook. Write a brief explanation of:
a) Description
b) Ecological Role
c) Pressures
d) Method of Restoring Populations or reason species became extinct
9