AP Environmental Science Reading Guide – due 2/19
Reading
Assignment:
Miller pp.222-248 – SUSTAINING BIODIVERSITY: THE SPECIES
APPROACH
Use an appropriate note-taking or outlining to collect notes as you read the assignment. Define the
following terms:
local extinction
ecological extinction
biological extinction
endangered species
threatened species
IUCN Red List
extinction rate
endemic species
habitat island
habitat fragmentation
range
invasive species
feral
accidentally introduced invasive species
deliberately introduced invasive species
bushmeat
1975 Convention on International Trade in
Endangered Species (CITES)
Convention on Biological Diversity
Endangered Species of Act of 1973
habitat conservation plans
safe harbor agreements
voluntary candidate conservation agreements
wildlife refuge
gene (seed) bank
reconciliation ecology
Consider the following questions after you read. Answers will be collected.
1.
What characteristics make an organism prone to ecological and biological extinction?
2.
Most of the endangered and threatened species pictured on page 224 are animals; however, many plants
and fungi are endangered or threatened too. Consider your answer to #1. Would the characteristics that
make some plants and fungi prone to biological extinction be the same as for animals or different? Explain.
3.
What is the IUCN? (Visit www.iucn.org for information.)
4.
Describe three ways that scientists estimate extinction rates?
5.
Why do most ecologists agree that estimates of species extinction rates are conservative?
6.
Compare and contrast the instrumental value of species with their intrinsic values.
7.
What does the acronym HIPPO stand for? Of these, which is the greatest threat to organisms? Why?
8.
A current debate in our state concerns the introduction of Asiatic oysters to the Chesapeake Bay. Review
the information on page 236 and read the following flyer by Dr. Mark Luckenbach of the Virginia Institute
of Marine Science: http://ian.umces.edu/pdfs/iannewsletter09.pdf . What would your recommendations be
concerning whether or not to introduce this species?
9.
Outline the major provisions of the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (ESA).
10. Evaluate the efforts to weaken the ESA that are listed on page 242. Given what you know about species
survival requirements and sound ecology, is the ESA effective or not? Explain.
11. Research the National Refuge System Improvement Act of 1997. What are its provisions? Strengths?
Weaknesses?
12. Consider the suggestions in the text for protecting wild species? Which suggestion resonates with you?
Why?