Learning Objectives for Unit 4 (Protecting Biodiversity)
Chapters 10, 11, and 12 (textbook)
Various Read, Share, Communicate –
One graphic organizer
1. Provide arguments as to why the gray wolf is a keystone species in Yellowstone National Park.
2. Differentiate between old-growth forest, a second-growth forest, and a tree farm.
3. Describe the harmful effects of deforestation on biodiversity.
4. Differentiate between clear-cutting and selective-cutting.
5. Explain why it is wrong to replace an old-growth forest with a tree plantation.
6. Differentiate between crown fire, surface fire, and prescribed burns.
7. Describe the benefits of prescribed burns.
8. Explain why scientists have issues with the Healthy Forest Restoration Act.
9. Explain the importance of Kenya’s Greenbelt Movement.
10. Describe the effects of overgrazing.
11. Explain possible solutions to prevent overgrazing or to repair rangelands which have been overgrazed.
12. Explain the pros and cons of habitat corridors.
13. Describe the different ways conservations help restore habitats/ecosystems.
14. Provide arguments to support the identification and protection of biodiversity hotspots.
15. Describe the human activities which led to the extinction of the passenger pigeon.
16. Differentiate between the different types of extinction.
17. Differentiate between endangered and threatened species.
18. Provide arguments to support the importance of biodiversity. (ecosystem services)
19. Explain how DDT led to the near extinction of the bald eagle and the brown pelican.
20. Explain the difference between poaching and hunting.
21. Explain how the killing of prairie dogs lead to the near extinction of the black-footed ferret.
22. Differentiate between the ESA and CITES.
23. Explain different ways conservationists are working to help protect species.
24. Describe why there was a dramatic loss of aquatic biodiversity in Lake Victoria.
25. Describe the following industrial fishing methods and the impact each has on the marine ecosystem:
- trawler fishing
- purse-seine fishing
- longlining
- drift-net fishing
26. Describe the difficulties in protecting aquatic biodiversity.
27. Explain how scientists use the precautionary principle for managing marine fishes.
28. Provide arguments as to why the longleaf pine ecosystem is an endangered ecosystem.
29. Explain what is meant by metapopulation and how it relates to the desert bighorn sheep in CA.
30. Describe characteristics which make some species more vulnerable to extinction.
31. Describe characteristics of successful invader species.
32. Describe characteristics of ecosystems vulnerable to invader species.
33. Explain fishing down the food chain.
34. Differentiate between OSY and MSY.
35. Describe how the Endangered Species Act helps to protect species.
36. Describe different bycatch mitigation techniques.
37. Describe different ways humans impact the marine biodiversity.