APES HW; Ch. 16
SHORT ANSWER QUESTIONS.
1. List the names of two medicinal plants and what they are used for.
2. List five characteristics that increase the susceptibility of a given
species to extinction.
3. Explain why the decline in honeybee populations is a serious
concern.
4. What is biotic pollution? Discuss one specific example of this type of
pollution.
5. What does commercial extinction mean? List two examples of
species that are commercially extinct.
6. What are bellwether species? Briefly explain why they are
important.
7. What is a biodiversity hotspot? Provide two specific examples.
8. Identify the major provisions of the U.S. Endangered Species Act of
1973.
9. Explain the value of seed banks.
10. What is the mission of the U.S. Biological Resources Discipline?
11. List four actions that can be taken to reduce the current decline in
biological diversity.
DISCUSSION OR THOUGHT QUESTIONS.
1. Identify and explain the significance of the various components of
biological diversity. Supply one specific example of each type of
diversity in your explanation.
2. Explain the potential importance or value of having a "broad base of
genetic diversity". How does this apply to natural populations? How
does this apply to cultivated or domesticated organisms?
3. Discuss why endemic species living on islands are particularly
vulnerable to extinction. Then discuss two additional characteristics
that make a given species particularly susceptible to extinction.
Provide a specific example for each.
4. Compare and contrast the designations of threatened, endangered,
and extinct species. Describe three human causes of species
endangerment and/or extinction and explain which is the most
threatening.
5. Discuss the current situation for amphibian species, including 1)
status of populations, 2) extent of the problem,
3) specific environmental impacts, 4) the particular importance of
these organisms as bellwether species, and
4) actions needed to address issues raised in the previous parts of this
question.
6. What is the goal of conservation biology? What are in situ and ex
situ conservation practices, and how are they used to meet the goal of
conservation biology? Which practice is more effective? Justify your
answer.
7. Discuss the provisions of the Endangered Species Act of 1973. In
your discussion identify those aspects of the law that have been
effective and those that are controversial. Should the ESA be
modified? If so, how and why, and if not, why not? Justify your
position.
8. Why is sport hunting of deer and other major herbivores important
for their populations? For their ecosystem? What other options are
available for dealing with these populations? Which approach is the
best and why? Be certain to consider both ecological and economic
pressures in your evaluation of the best approach.
9. Compare and contrast the goals and strategies used in wildlife
management as compared to conservation biology.
10. Identify and then discuss four actions that can be taken to slow or
prevent the current decline in biological diversity. Develop an action
plan to implement these actions. Include solutions to anticipated
problems or controversies in your action plan.