Chapter 16 Reading Guide – Preserving Earth's Biological Diversity 

Remember what you've learned in earlier chapters and answer the following questions after reading the chapter.

1.      What is the difference between biological diversity, species diversity, genetic diversity and ecosystem diversity?

2.      Why do we need diversity?

3.      How are ecosystem services and species richness linked?

4.      Why is important to maintain genetic reserves?

5.      List at least three benefits of biodiversity?

6.      Define the terms extinction, endangered and threatened.

7.      What is the difference between background extinction, mass extinction, and commercial extinction?

8.      Define range.

9.      Define habitat fragmentation.

10.  What are the characteristics of an endangered species?

11.  Where is the decline of biodiversity the greatest problem?  Why?

12.  Define adaptive radiation.

13.  What are the four main human causes of species endangerment?  Describe each.

14.  Define biotic pollution. Give 4 examples and include the following:
a. ______________________________________
   Where did the species originally come from?
    Where did it go?
    How did it get there?
    Crime-
    Method of control-

b. ______________________________________
   Where did the species originally come from?
    Where did it go?
    How did it get there?
    Crime-
    Method of control-

c. ______________________________________
   Where did the species originally come from?
    Where did it go?
    How did it get there?
    Crime-
    Method of control-

a. ______________________________________
   Where did the species originally come from?
    Where did it go?
    How did it get there?
    Crime-
    Method of control-


 

15.  Define commercial harvest.

16.  How do we overexploit some species?

17.  What is a bellwether species?  How is this the same as or different than a keystone species?

18.  Describe the problems that frogs are experiencing worldwide.

19.  What is conservation biology?  In what ways can we achieve the necessary conservation of species? 

20.  In what ways does conservation biology differ from restoration biology?

21.  What are things we can do to conserve or rehabilitate a species?

22.  Explain the difference between artificial insemination and embryo transfer.

23.  What are some of the problems that have been faced when an endangered species has been reintroduced?

24.  Name two conservation organizations.

25.  What were the key components of the Endangered Species Act of 1973?

26.  Who is the U.S. Biological Resources Division?

27.  What is the World Conservation Strategy? 

28.  Define wildlife management.

29.  Define bioaccumulation.

30.  What can we do about declining biological diversity?