Biodiversity Study Guide
Vocabulary:
 Biodiversity
 Genetic diversity
 Ecological diversity
 Species diversity
 Species richness
 Species Evenness
 Shannon-Weiner Index
 In-situ
 Ex-situ
 Biological hotspot
 Redlist classifications; Extinct, Endangered, Vulnerable, Least Concern
 Speciation
 Natural Selection
 Wildlife Corridor
 Background extinction
 Mass extinction
Laws/ Acts/ Treaties:
Endangered Species Act
CITES
Big Ideas:
HIPPO C
Conservation Organizations
Speciation
Importance of Biodiversity
Biological Hotspot
Commercial Fishing
Questions:
1. Why is biodiversity high in some places but low in others?
2. List the reasons why biodiversity is important:
3. Which characteristics make a species more prone to becoming extinct?
4. Summarize the Endangered Species Act & CITES. How do each protect endangered species?
How are they enforced?
5. What is ecological restoration, and why is it important?
6. How do biologists estimate extinction rates, and how do human activities affect these rates?
7. How can we help prevent premature extinction of species?
8. What is habitat fragmentation and how can it contribute to species decline?
9.
Why are rain forests not able to regrow after they have been clear cut?
10. What is a marine sanctuary?
11. How do species extinctions affect humans?
12. List and briefly describe the different types of commercial fishing:
13. How does commercial fishing lead to Tragedy of the Commons?
14. Which type of fishing causes the greatest environmental damage?
15. What are some solutions to commercial fishing?
Case Studies:
Case
California Condor
Whooping Crane
Sharks
Tigers
Elephants
Rhinoceros
Florida Everglades
What is happening?
Human Impact