Biodiversity and Conservation Exercise 15

Question:

Can you think of a situation where we deliberately want to make a species extinct? How would you justify it?

Answer:

  1. One situation where we might deliberately want to make a species extinct is when it is a invasive species that is causing serious harm to the ecosystem.

  2. We would justify it by pointing out the fact that the species is a threat to the health of the ecosystem and that its presence is causing long-term damage to the environment. Additionally, we would point out that the species is not native to the environment and is, therefore, disrupting the natural balance of the ecosystem.

  3. Finally, we would emphasize that the removal of the species would be beneficial to the environment in the long-term, as it would help restore the natural balance of the ecosystem and prevent further damage.

Question:

What are the major causes of species losses in a geographical region?

Answer:

Step 1: Identify the geographical region in question.

Step 2: Research the region to determine what human activities have had the most impact on species losses in the region.

Step 3: Analyze the data to identify the major causes of species losses in the region.

Question:

What is the significance of the slope of regression in a species-area relationship?

Answer:

Answer:

  1. The slope of a regression in a species-area relationship indicates the rate of species diversity change in relation to changes in the area of the environment.

  2. A steep slope indicates a greater rate of species diversity change in relation to changes in the area, while a shallow slope indicates a lower rate of species diversity change.

  3. This information can be used to identify areas of greater or lesser species diversity, and to understand how changes in area can affect species diversity.

Question:

Give three hypotheses for explaining why tropics show greatest levels of species richness.

Answer:

Hypothesis 1: The tropical climate is more stable than other climates, which allows for a greater variety of species to thrive in the same environment.

Hypothesis 2: The long hours of sunlight in the tropics allow for more photosynthetic activity, which leads to increased nutrient availability and thus greater species richness.

Hypothesis 3: The tropical environment is more diverse, with a greater variety of habitats and resources available, which leads to increased species richness.

Question:

How is biodiversity important for ecosystem functioning?

Answer:

  1. Biodiversity is important for ecosystem functioning because it provides a variety of species that can interact with each other in a variety of ways.

  2. This diversity of species helps to maintain a healthy balance in the environment by providing a variety of resources for other species to use.

  3. Biodiversity also helps to maintain the genetic diversity of species, which is important for the long-term health of the environment.

  4. Biodiversity also helps to ensure that the environment can withstand changes in climate and other environmental conditions.

  5. Finally, biodiversity helps to maintain the stability of the ecosystem by providing a wide range of habitats for different species to inhabit.

Question:

What are sacred groves? What is their role in conservation?

Answer:

  1. Sacred groves are areas of forest that are considered to be of religious or spiritual significance.

  2. They are often found near temples or other religious sites and are considered to be sacred by local populations.

  3. Sacred groves play an important role in conservation, as they are often protected from human interference. This helps to preserve the local flora and fauna, and can also provide refuge for endangered species.

  4. In addition, sacred groves help to maintain the local ecosystem, providing habitats for animals and plants, and helping to regulate water and soil quality. They also help to protect local biodiversity and provide a source of medicinal plants.

  5. Sacred groves also have a cultural and spiritual importance, as they provide a space for local people to come together and practice their spiritual or religious beliefs.

Question:

Name the three important components of biodiversity.

Answer:

  1. Species Diversity: This refers to the variety of species within a given ecosystem.

  2. Genetic Diversity: This refers to the variety of genetic material within a species.

  3. Ecosystem Diversity: This refers to the variety of habitats and ecosystems present in a region.

Question:

The species diversity of plants (22 percent) is much less than that of animals (72 percent). What could be the explanations to how animals achieved greater diversification?

Answer:

  1. One explanation for how animals achieved greater diversification could be that they evolved faster than plants, allowing them to adapt to different environments more quickly.

  2. Another explanation could be that animals have a wider range of habitats than plants, which allows them to occupy more diverse niches.

  3. A third explanation could be that animals have a greater capacity for mobility than plants, allowing them to disperse to new areas and colonize new habitats more easily.

  4. Finally, a fourth explanation could be that animals have a greater range of reproductive strategies than plants, allowing them to diversify more rapidly.

Question:

How do ecologists estimate the total number of species present in the world?

Answer:

  1. Ecologists use a variety of methods to estimate the total number of species present in the world, such as sampling, taxonomy, and genetic analysis.

  2. Sampling involves collecting and analyzing data from a variety of habitats to determine the species present in those habitats.

  3. Taxonomy is the scientific study of the classification of organisms and is used to identify species and classify them into groups.

  4. Genetic analysis involves analyzing DNA sequences to determine the evolutionary relationships between species and identify new species.

  5. Ecologists then use this information to estimate the total number of species present in the world.

Question:

Among the ecosystem services are control of floods and soil erosion. How is this achieved by the biotic components of the ecosystem?

Answer:

  1. The biotic components of an ecosystem, such as plants, animals, and microorganisms, play an important role in controlling floods and soil erosion.

  2. Plants and trees can act as natural barriers to slow down the flow of water, reducing the risk of flooding.

  3. Plants and trees also help to stabilize soil and reduce the risk of soil erosion by absorbing water and providing a physical barrier to wind and water.

  4. Animals can also help to reduce flooding and soil erosion. For example, burrowing animals can help to aerate soil and create channels for water to flow away from vulnerable areas.

  5. Microorganisms can help to break down organic matter, which helps to improve soil structure and reduce the risk of soil erosion.