Chapter 11. Chapter 11: Preserving Biodiversity

What are the major causes of species endangerment and extinction today?

Interactive Study Guide
false
true

Guiding Question 11.1

What are the major causes of species endangerment and extinction today?

Why You Should Care

When you were younger and learned about the dinosaurs and how they all went extinct long ago, it probably seemed like they all died out on the same day. Although past mass extinctions, like the one that killed the dinosaurs, did happen rapidly in geological time, they still took millennia to occur. Would it surprise you to know that we are currently in the most catastrophic mass extinction known to science?

Not only are we in the midst of another mass extinction event, but rather than a meteor collision or an ice age, the main cause of this mass extinction is human activity. In developing land for agriculture, industry, business, and dwellings, humans destroy and fragment habitat suitable for other species. One of the most notorious examples of this is suburban and exurban strip development. Rather than create a compact, pedestrian-friendly, neighborhood-building commercial center around existing small towns, it is more convenient and cost-effective (in the short term) to build commercial developments along high corridors. This means that land that was less developed and probably supported a more natural community of species was plowed under rather than re-developing existing neighborhoods and minimizing the land area disturbed by humans. Humans also over-pollute the environment through industry as well as waste. A by-product of our pollution is global climate change through increasing greenhouse gas emissions. The effect of climate change is most dramatic at the poles, where already fragile ecosystems are rapidly disappearing. A negative side of human globalization is that we tend to move other species with us, and, often, these species become invasive and damage ecosystems. The introduction of cats, rats, goats, and pigs by sailors travelling around the world has caused the extinction of more than one species. Humans are also over-harvesting and overusing natural resources. Whales were over-hunted in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, and despite international treaties protecting them, many species have yet to recover their former numbers.

Every species that is lost from the biosphere diminishes the variety of species with which we share the planet. We are heading toward a world of uniformity, in which there are only a handful of species of plants and animals in all the biomes. We have to decide if that’s a world we can live with because there is still time to take action to reduce extinction rates.

Question Test Your Vocabulary

Choose the correct term from the drop-down for each of the following definitions:

1. The science concerned with preserving biodiversity is w0DZ6miUGRaCN3ArSXJipVGZi1yC1vfltUko5JfN1R1fAmuW0P+UluB8RFM/FbCn+r+RRwgF3ydrRfSWvOnWc5c4zYE=.

2. z6TE66+fHDAyw6kkK5vsbRwHr8ma4eSFbpzfc5YbEX8T7MkUFax6c4SVjK+E3uO3vZxXm/eSucFtXYrSL5ndpA== are species that are at risk for extinction; various threat levels have been identified ranging from "least concern" to "extinct."

3. A species that impacts its community more than its mere abundance would predict is a Gn6OoLZTycddBvP3A37oiQLCuxrUvlaAFM9STqsQ4nraweYKhmSu+c0feAYuVQRUswoxA/qy3ePsk6seqrSQYQ==.

999
Try again.
Correct.
Incorrect.
Infographic 11.5
Infographic 11.1: The Main Threats to Biodiversity Today Come from Humans

Question 11.1

jPMYGBZxNmhrSiw/NWU1jeu56cmj/pFJbozpUgYlpbBNInVAaNJ+Jy4Djdgo1+HfA+5HZV6B7+bfeA+7pPHEqvtSe0VMApp1YEVtKa/+GLaPWdtAiFiPmiJ43OIohLgDRpTfYODFUtcfzizBRTZnc6Duh5EbRaga2XnckH1Hlui0iI8aSNGYFc6kUMnNHAXbooDAUlVDBeVQrKKWRXmC1HvUbpzVVc3X+WwRSwFHuqsYRIhLARsHez76O6C1ZtCdBH1O8wjvngh+L0//gbzZV+n4ZGrd9zUwJvyo4iTIRBd31siw2yobQJtN0vQ84kz0LczPyafpf6eUWC8A0JJnEnV5gNZoqg65kCA7BanUtptAqPi4h+HMmqlg8INRX4tH5GMk0Ts+dWUHcoEdodxYL+BOZ6I1Gqy33U15guZCkX2K4WuMOBS9M7s9sQfT1FqR80Nly2b8m53JOTsxp4AP3Aje51BA6co5
999
Try again.
Correct.
Incorrect.

Question 11.2

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
999
Try again.
Correct.
Incorrect.

Question 11.3

v9Nyu0ZaBSLgmb5B5Ue5MPrqn+vypZ083Cs1Xp9CJzsQSvFwr7LRDCADCSyb6uABMSmCM7HqBZZEkqf8oXB9oZbJvBNOxAWlVCqJWQOLN/KO0RUbC3PPFI5RqSrEVYpp8apyOSV2Xei0xL9GOkRwATZ75JTwSmnDQE68hlkQqWg2dCnicrkQecjY5d7zgzDzonc5zBUNJJfYUPIOqWWV3N6Vt9Tlh/cFUlF+jbdQ1FkJNbr0G3lFtNIfP2/8n0sKG+gYsfRVeaegliq4fzBGJ97/thf6+XZ+RxWxp5S/4wbHjvbKrPwlaq4poZDt/t7L7XhxwtVFlfCrsAsNGRPPGKlTuMDXfFgCC7ZcTmgt8NKc0D5tPd/HuR5j0wICPb+qiQzNQKcYk3T6yYsg3CqE6/OAMflG9MD4AZZ/1x4YjK+Cyyd/st8lOcLqh+W0U8KPiXuTQTdBqiVn0dfRyhWIMAzG6hs=
999
Try again.
Correct.
Incorrect.

Question 11.4

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
999
Try again.
Correct.
Incorrect.

Question 11.5

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
999
Try again.
Correct.
Incorrect.

Question 11.6

Infographic 11.1: The Main Threats to Biodiversity Today Come from Humans
upYifsrSB9F3kuTUPsdKA8UjzMt6zWOZzv/kUdyDZn1QEvYJtfrcIyYQpJMRyvQv+d+DLaUJ9ZYg1CgLdyV9RKTg/ERQEYUbYyGh+PLWxMfiLzqFGb5xOp1w8eIQwNdH+jAoBmSVkHLGCo2q/lcHVZt8yrBx5Fn1f77RmEce0hsxAjLs1Zxt1R1Hycnpb4xpEZVk6qCYxgW/VmsrATnfwrJqZIo2ff0q90ZivwyLH7QVLBTayOmjArx32SmVYyFNduhc2KCh1xIHBxJMOWJbH6KSfsYoz4d4IlaVuZFHboTPgAiPIVV74sV5o59DQy0SAZwrGv1goESeVUcy1x03CHe74sLk2IUQNB7l1Q==
999
Try again.
Correct.
Incorrect.

Question 11.7

Rank the following in terms of greatest to smallest (1 being the greatest) percentage of threatened vertebrates affected:

zAmxLU6FFkeJprD6 Climate change

DkHorFs+5cKax7By Pollution

WGrSok78WqwOUNYP Invasive alien species

999
Try again.
Correct.
Incorrect.

Question 11.8

Thought Question: Describe habitat preferences, reproduction, ability to disperse, life span, etc. in general terms for the following:

vGSwoCeF1dWLo4Xu7iec6ee7JgTcbSs8s+R8UZiAyUj5QZF3O6E9ux8eDB3oQ4AikXIks+UhT8nOSF97dz1Gd5syEH+5DklTKqeUAiAI4anAFuypigXqb0miyrA= 44t4iXauvXwYPH5dxGtO4o2eleRtoz51XVMkNvABhh3nFUY4c2+JanuI2z6RCbA87xCQFzu2HADLq2hy3D0XKpoO29U9otGGGu9rTvm3AYTdKWPwqSQ4cA7I9aIzzfK+
1) A species that is likely to become invasive would probably have a broad range of habitat tolerances, would reproduce quickly, and would be good at dispersal. Life spans, or at least generation times, are more likely to be short.

2) A species highly susceptible to climate change would have a narrow range of habitat tolerances and be a relatively poor disperser; this would mean it would have both a hard time dealing with changes in climate and moving to a new area with a more suitable climate. This species would probably have a lower reproductive output, probably also coupled with longer life spans or generation times.
Infographic 11.2: Conservation Designations

Question 11.9

pVjICFmZNvYavSkjASUC+UiozaMrTJtoqoeAgFUx4VO5ZTMPgIrauRaYASBIlYJOwzUmIIT8PnIEdLJD7SPUK8MSNWZE7RqLFqd4TYeBib42jW+aghAmU7wT4lKXmXGUmCGgMxyL+wWJEdrQB7Ra4PGxxOe7xFs5EAJJ/tMN/aKOxwyeWUup7GSM6y5JnZn6Z1Du16XZmrnIwd+V4o3PTmK9Pmn8o5+p0eOKIzMgE/Cnf+lyFgcQunzGtPC71IlY1iNQsyhuEaY=
999
Try again.
Correct.
Incorrect.

Question 11.10

QQymgg01uYuY3K6KBKplx4Rog//WAf3qBvcsyDVWMiv0eew2sw+XEUqURnz+rsbybEHYiGio+2110HH6eoCUfETp/zpLE+NQkp2s9G3oo4mfOf6wTmBjTrdy1y4TEK0MnhaUUsJ60NntyeRvOuWGOQgplJciV3m1rQjliVJ1OFG/owSqZNgLFUgyyHQifkyEnaOM9JsPyRkZ0gCIgAEvJHHCY/mVDGiDEjBaVYBjh8F2Ky1xflDnLSbXTWtdIMp07CJSbfBrkzwtsVV0dsRUrBtnnfCUtQVpYU45ITn+VAqjp1u4yok5fO7fqy1Y52663pwgz+xOPEet/i8IjygcU6gfmYgUK4GQtepkM2wViqzSURBd
999
Try again.
Correct.
Incorrect.

Question 11.11

ds048mpAHuqhei9uctOqLs7mMOy8OZTd5nUNUfIMqIIKJW6OvTYrarh4V70vDpel9aR7fRChR6PlHya5/4+GQfy9XWWTrarcRW7VfBYLoNiLYp3oSc00l/zHHZRq/0tTuCI9KuRTGmDCjpQSHREQhFX/n0ZOs7/IowD1kJxsANKfX1FoQvhnmtjZQFrNY+OxbV+/x0JB7PdWFB+3LP/vIxK7RBPkI2cfkOlsKnAOPqfteSdGswyeuqHZhAazj8FyB42JPqt1p9Hra6nxTG1zMw9jmwuPmBDq6LlbM5IxqES4UCB7
999
Try again.
Correct.
Incorrect.

Question 11.12

jXUSRoFNcZBvPTL4ig3hezNK1wdLhwhd+aOhUew/8mmfukaYNr0NLzzVtt0aZuGZ7hKSrK/ke2seaT8vqp4/8/zrh7lXq3CN63SYDyv/I7a0GgnbQtityVWkIiV8jhmE8muSrXYwZDjqaG8rDO0zAi/W0JSuBVf49YdhTbTqQEw3VN2rnsw/y5BvP0gA0Ff/EHluncrMXf3wuh3BHlSmnBkuPCh1FDcBtk21TQ==
999
Try again.
Correct.
Incorrect.

Question 11.13

vXOcKlcylyigVu2hzwBsfRGzh+rsRN1XlVE9/0/pFdEbjEPJ7N5nYJtHFqWb+tNXkQON+ZX3ZVLzgwpYIGzMlvmxfGPTGjH8DQf89YwtoWfwG1g+mSGPBZ9kD0TDtbaWRImtTsghVNroVsFkyREk3cLUq9bR9O5L82xWjsG5vqfdcZsoyzzJTRBWneCs7V45CR9Ez4fZ6nnLzfRnG4yE+Ckbid/kkYjy/79pV5eKGWDd6HqvJ0rxljZPDm/2IABHqY1ToEIyOQIebWb2ywEjZVK0q3oAFkf/lm8A9xx61yU5nWZZd/JOfCDcUoUeB1MIT5QDOnB/GCrLOJx1QivyHlzr2gu0CsVz7UXhwe7o3qhT+XoS9nU4gqQzQPQKaE52GxDrPBF1bypPEsmeJU10szwQaVlq4OfDMgCH35H8WNmhLJ5UXkTVn9rIOK6l0jFm24RDhgXgm7+tT4He
999
Try again.
Correct.
Incorrect.

Question 11.14

A5vmVZ8LUjd0+88AanvVQq6B66xO653M9oeZ8SgakcLo3WLuzbrATZtCtylka1TmSj6i+ZdiEjoVQSBm7ItradyVfyI71cx3k4FhlPm4CKiEx5FIP3JWQDQgjJAVfOt5xWFRnXuAiqvABtw5gGoYk4siY+cZ5ncuPkPhuDiWUlg=
The total number of species of plants and animals is unknown to science, so it’s not possible to indicate how many species have not been fully evaluated.