All Flashcards
How can habitat restoration help endangered species?
By providing suitable environments for species to thrive and recover.
How do breeding programs contribute to conservation?
They increase population sizes of critically endangered species and preserve genetic diversity.
How can protected areas aid endangered species?
By providing safe havens from habitat destruction, hunting, and other threats.
How does sustainable harvesting protect species?
It ensures resources are used at a rate that allows for natural replenishment, preventing overexploitation.
How can reducing consumption help endangered species?
It decreases demand for products that contribute to habitat destruction and overexploitation.
How does supporting conservation organizations help?
Provides funding for research, monitoring, and conservation actions.
How can ecotourism benefit endangered species?
Provides economic incentives for conservation and raises awareness among tourists.
How do wildlife corridors protect species?
Connect fragmented habitats, allowing for gene flow and migration.
How can reducing pesticide use protect endangered species?
Prevents unintended harm to non-target species and reduces habitat contamination.
How does community involvement aid conservation?
Ensures local support for conservation efforts and promotes sustainable practices.
What is the significance of the IUCN Red List?
It is a comprehensive inventory of the global conservation status of biological species, providing a system to assess the risk of extinction of species.
Explain the concept of 'Population Reduction' as an IUCN criterion.
It refers to a significant decline in the size of a species' population over a specific period, indicating a potential threat to its survival.
What makes K-selected species more vulnerable to extinction?
Their low reproductive rate and long generation times make it difficult for their populations to recover quickly from losses.
Why are specialist species more at risk from habitat loss?
They have very specific niche requirements and cannot easily adapt to changes in their environment or find alternative food sources.
How does genetic diversity affect a species' resilience?
Higher genetic diversity allows a species to adapt to changing environmental conditions and resist diseases, making it more resilient.
Explain the role of keystone species in an ecosystem.
Keystone species play a critical role in maintaining the structure and function of an ecosystem, and their removal can lead to significant ecological changes.
How does habitat fragmentation affect biodiversity?
It reduces habitat size, isolates populations, and increases edge effects, leading to a decline in biodiversity and increased risk of extinction.
What is the 'edge effect' in fragmented habitats?
Changes in population or community structures that occur at the boundary of two habitats. Factors can include increased sunlight, wind, or predation.
Explain the concept of 'Minimum Viable Population' (MVP).
The smallest isolated population size that has a 99% chance of remaining extant for 1000 years despite the foreseeable effects of demographic, environmental, and genetic stochasticity, and natural catastrophes.
What is the significance of biodiversity hotspots?
Regions with high concentrations of endemic species and significant habitat loss, making them critical areas for conservation efforts.
What is the main purpose of the Endangered Species Act (ESA)?
To protect and recover imperiled species and the ecosystems upon which they depend.
What does the Lacey Act (US) regulate?
Prohibits interstate transport of illegally harvested plants and animals.
What is the goal of CITES?
International agreement to control trade in endangered species.
What are the key provisions of the ESA?
Listing species as 'endangered' or 'threatened,' designating 'critical habitat,' prohibiting harming listed species and trade, and authorizing habitat purchases and recovery plans.
How does the ESA impact land use?
It can restrict development and other activities in areas designated as critical habitat for listed species.
What is the role of recovery plans under the ESA?
To outline specific actions needed to help a listed species recover and eventually be removed from the endangered or threatened list.
What is the purpose of designating 'critical habitat' under the ESA?
To identify and protect the specific areas essential for the conservation of a listed species.
What is the 'take' provision under the ESA?
Prohibits harming, harassing, pursuing, hunting, shooting, wounding, killing, trapping, capturing, or collecting listed species.
What international agreements complement CITES in protecting endangered species?
Agreements such as the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) and the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands.
How does the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA) protect marine species?
Prohibits the take of marine mammals in U.S. waters and by U.S. citizens on the high seas, and regulates the import of marine mammals and marine mammal products.