Concept explainers
a.
To describe: An example of how the threat “habitat destruction” to biodiversity caused extinctions or reduction in population numbers.
Introduction: Habitat destruction or fragmentation is the greatest threat to biological diversity. The habitat loss is caused due to agriculture, mining, forestry, global climate change, pollution, and urban development. Habitat loss is implicated in nearly 73% of species, which have been designated as endangered, rare, or extinct.
a.
Explanation of Solution
Fragmentation of natural habitat occurs most common and fragmentation results in species loss. For example, nearly 70% of coral reefs were found to be damaged due to human activities, also it has been found that there is a chance of losing 40-50% of reefs in the next few decades. These reefs are utilized by most of the marine fish species.
b.
To describe: An example of how the threat “introduced species” to biodiversity caused extinctions or reduction in population numbers.
Introduction: Introduced species are also called exotic species. These species either prey upon or compete with the species that are native to the particular place. Thousands of species were transplanted by humans, which resulted in high economic costs due to damage caused by those transplanted species and the control efforts made.
b.
Explanation of Solution
The newly introduced species in a particular habitat may either prey upon or compete with the species that are native to the particular habitat. For example, multiple species of lizards and birds were extinct, when a brown tree snake is introduced into Guam.
c.
To describe: An example for how the threat “overharvesting” to biodiversity caused extinctions or reduction in population numbers.
Introduction: The term overharvesting indicates the harvesting of wild plants or wild animals at the rates that are higher than the reproducing ability of the population. Species present on small islands and certain species of large animals having very low reproductive rates are specifically vulnerable.
c.
Explanation of Solution
Example of overharvesting includes overfishing, illegal hunting, and commercial harvesting. Overfishing resulted in the drastic reduction of many fishes that are commercially important. Illegal hunting and commercial harvesting resulted in the reduction in the populations of many fishes, the African elephant, and whales.
d.
To describe: An example for how the threat “global change” to biodiversity caused extinctions or reduction in population numbers.
Introduction: The fourth important threat to biological diversity is the global change, which ranges from a regional level to global level and it includes atmospheric chemistry, ecological systems, and alterations in climate.
d.
Explanation of Solution
The nitrogen oxides and sulfur oxides released by the burning of woods and fossil fuels results in the formation of nitric and sulfuric acid in the atmosphere. These acids result in acid precipitation, which is defined as the snow, rain, fog, or sleet having pH less than 5.2. For example, the damage caused due to the acid precipitation in the aquatic system is high and it may take decades to recover and also spread to forests present in Eastern and Central Europe.
Want to see more full solutions like this?
Chapter 56 Solutions
Study Guide for Campbell Biology
- Converting a prairie to a farm field is an example of _________. a. overharvesting b. habitat loss c. exotic species d. climate changearrow_forwardWhich of the following is one of the biggest threats to biodiversity? A. Invasive species B. Land protection C. Ecological conservation D. Habitat restorationarrow_forwardThe Burmese Python, an invasive species, has been introduced to the Florida Everglades, largely through release by owners who acquired the snakes from exotic pet traders. Though the Everglades are protected, pythons as predators can not be easily controlled. What can be concluded about the effect of the python population on the biodiversity of the Everglades? A. Since the Everglades are protected, python control is limited under laws that protect species in the Everglades. B. Since the python population is growing, it will eventually become a native species and will increase biodiversity. C. Since pythons prey on many species in the Everglades, resources will be more available for surviving species and fewer will be considered endangered. D. Since pythons have no predators, they are responsible for decreasing mammal population and are a greater threat to biodiversity.arrow_forward
- The process of species replacement over time in a community is called (a) global climate change. (b) succession. (c) competition. (d) community change.arrow_forwardWhen interspecific competition is weaker than intraspecific competition for both species A & B in the Lotka-Volterra competition model_________________. a. species A wins b. both species coexist c. both species go extinct d. species B winsarrow_forwardA keystone species is one whose removal from a community causes extinction of other species. How does this extinction happen?arrow_forward
- Why do moderate levels of disturbance result in an increase in community diversity?a) The resulting uniform habitat supports stability, which in turn supports diversity.b) Less-competitive species evolve strategies to compete with dominant species.c) Habitats are opened up for less competitive speciesd) Competively dominant species infrequently exclude less competitive species after a moderate disturbance.arrow_forwardWhich of the following best describes a keystone species? a. An organism, whose introduction causes or is likely to cause environmental harm b. An organism, who if removed, the entire ecosystem changes. c. Can signal a change in the biological condition of a particular ecosystem and diagnose the health of that ecosystem d. Can indirectly protect several other species in the same habitatarrow_forwardWhy does the aquarium trade contribute to the introduction of nonnative species? a. Exotic species can escape or be released into local ecosystems. b. Aquarium owners do not always understand how ecosystems interact. c. Nonnative fish are shipped worldwide for aquariums. d. All of the above Please select the best answer from the choices provided A B C Darrow_forward
- Carrying capacity is defined as a species’ average population size in an environment. Which of the following resulted to exceeding carrying capacity in a particular environment? a. increasing birthrates, decreasing deathrates, increasing immigration and no emigration takes place b. increasing birthrates, decreasing deathrates, decreasing immigration and no emigration takes place c. increasing birthrates, decreasing deathrates, decreasing immigration and increasing emigration d. decreasing birthrates, increasing deathrates, increasing immigration and increasing emigrationarrow_forwardWhat is the single greatest threat to biodiversity?(A) overharvesting of commercially important species(B) habitat alteration, fragmentation, and destruction(C) introduced species that compete with native species(D) novel pathogensarrow_forwardWhen an invasive species alters the community structure it is introduced to, what can the consequence be? a. extinction of economically important species b. reduced predation on some native species c. increased predation on some native species d. all of the abovearrow_forward
- Concepts of BiologyBiologyISBN:9781938168116Author:Samantha Fowler, Rebecca Roush, James WisePublisher:OpenStax CollegeBiology (MindTap Course List)BiologyISBN:9781337392938Author:Eldra Solomon, Charles Martin, Diana W. Martin, Linda R. BergPublisher:Cengage Learning