CHAPTER 6

© 2011 Pearson Education, Inc.

CHAPTER 6

Wild Species and Biodiversity


An introduction to wildlife and biodiversity• Puffins are seabirds that live in cold coastal waters• In Maine, hunting and predatory gulls almost wiped

them out, despite protective laws• Project Puffin brought birds from Newfoundland in

the 1970s• Chicks were installed on Eastern Egg Rock island• Gulls were removed• Painted decoys and tapes of puffin calls attracted

birds• The island now has 101 pairs of puffins

• Terns, petrels, and albatrosses have also been reintroduced


The value of wild species and biodiversity• Ecosystem capital: all goods and services provided

to humans by natural systems• In 2008, capital loss from the world’s financial crisis

= $1–1.5 trillion• Capital loss from ecosystem degradation = $2–4.5

trillion

• The basis of ecosystem capital = ecosystems• The basis of ecosystems = wild species

• To maintain ecosystem sustainability, you must save ecosystem integrity, resilience, processes, biodiversity


The extinct passenger pigeon


The value of wildlife• Instrumental value: a species’ or organism’s existence

or use benefits some other entity• Food, shelter, source of income• Usually anthropocentric: beneficiaries are humans

• We preserve species to enjoy the benefits they provide• Intrinsic value: something has value for its own sake• It does not have to be useful to us• Do animals have rights? Or are they simply property?

• Many people believe only humans have intrinsic value• There is no reason to preserve “insignificant” species


Species have value as sources for materials• Most food comes from agriculture• Wild populations have traits for competitiveness,

resistance to parasites, tolerance to adverse conditions

• Agricultural populations have lost these traits

• A cultivar (cultivated variety): a highly selected strain of the original species• Has minimal genetic variation• Produces outstanding yields in specific conditions• Can not adapt to other conditions


New food plants

• Potential for developing new cultivars is lost if wild populations are destroyed

• Out of the hundreds of thousands of plants species• Humans use only 7,000 species• Three species (wheat, maize, rice) provide 50% of

global food demands

• Modern plants can not produce under many environmental conditions• 30,000 plant species could be cultivated• For example, every part of the winged bean is edible


The winged bean


Wood and other raw materials• Animal husbandry, forestry, and aquaculture also

select species from nature• Three billion people use wood for heating and

cooking• Demand for wood is increasing• Scientists are predicting a “timber famine” or

“fuelwood crisis”

• Rubber, oils, nuts, fruits, spices, and gums also come from forests• All are valuable for humans


Banking genes• Genetic bank: living things are a bank of the gene pools of

all living species• Wild relatives of cultivated crops are being preserved• England’s Millennium Seed Bank has 1 billion seeds• Norway’s Svalbard Global Seed Vault holds seeds as a

backup for other seed banks

• Zoos act as genetic banks for animals• The United Kingdom’s Frozen Ark Project collects cells and

DNA from species likely to go extinct

• Genetic diversity is preserved while we try to slow extinction


Species have value as sources for medicine• Madagascar’s rosy periwinkle has revolutionized

treatment of childhood leukemia and Hodgkin’s disease• The Chinese star anise’s fruit is used in Tamiflu• Paclitaxel from the Pacific yew tree treats ovarian,

breast, and small-cell cancers• Ethnobotany: studies relationships between plants and

people• 3,000 plants have anticancer properties• The search for beneficial drugs has helped create parks• Bioprospecting: studies indigenous people’s use of

plants


The rosy periwinkle


Recreational, aesthetic, and scientific uses


Values support commercial interests• Recreational and aesthetic values support commercial

interests• In 2006, 87.5 million U.S. adults participated in wildlife-

centered recreation (e.g., bird-watching, hunting)• Generated 2.6 million jobs and $108 million

• Ecotourism: tourists visit a place to observe wild species or unique ecological sites• It is the largest foreign exchange-generating enterprise

for many developing countries

• Environmental degradation affects commercial interests


Scientific value• We learn basic laws of nature• The way ecosystems and the world work

• Biota provides the nature we study• But most scientific work is done to gain medicines,

agricultural benefits, and other outcomes


A cautionary note• Using wild species and biodiversity causes problems• Little money from the rosy periwinkle’s success went

back to Madagascar, a very poor country

• Large companies have patented ancient herbal remedies• But indigenous people may not benefit

• Ecotourism may bring money to poor countries• It increases pollution, harms wildlife, changes cultures• Whale-watching boats disrupt whale feeding• Tourist boats frighten flamingoes and reduce their

feeding


The loss of instrumental value• Biodiversity loss has tremendous negative effect on

the world• The Economics of Ecosystems and Biodiversity’s

(TEEB) 2008 report detailed the economic and life-quality effects of biodiversity loss

• Loss of biodiversity and ecosystem services = $78 billion/yr• Highest for the world’s poorest• Such an outcome is morally wrong


Species have value for their own sake• The usefulness (instrumental value) of species is obvious• But it’s not enough to protect many species• Some species have no obvious value

• Another strategy: emphasize the intrinsic value of species• Extinction is an irretrievable loss of something valuable

• The existence of a species means it has a right to exist• Living things have ends and interests of their own

• “Destroying species is like tearing pages out of an unread book”• Humans have a responsibility to the natural world


Religious support for intrinsic value• Jewish and Christian traditions show God’s concern for

wild species• God declared his creation was good and blessed it• All wild things have intrinsic value and deserve care

• The Islamic Quran (Koran) says the environment is Allah’s creation and should be protected

• Native American religions have a strong environmental ethic

• Hindu philosophy has strong grassroots environmentalism

• Religions represent a potentially powerful force for preserving biodiversity


Biodiversity and its decline

• Biodiversity includes genetic diversity in species as well as the diversity of species, communities, and ecosystems

• Two measures calculate biodiversity• The number of species• How “even” the species are

• A habitat has low biodiversity if it is dominated by one species with few members of other species

• Diversity is higher if dominance of any one species is low


How many species?• Most people are unaware of the great diversity of

species• Groups that are rich in species: flowering plants

and insects• Conspicuous or commercially important groups are

more explored and described• Birds, mammals, fish, trees

• Fully exploring biodiversity would require a major effort• Estimates continue to rise as rain forests are

explored


The state of U.S. species


Species extinction rates


Most threatened species are in the tropics• The tropics have almost unimaginable biodiversity• 43 species of ants occur on one tree in Peru• Equal to all ant fauna of the British Isles

• 300 species of trees on a 1-ha (2.5-acre) plot• 1,000 species of beetles on one tree species in

Panama

• Tropical forests are also experiencing the highest rate of deforestation• The species inventory is so incomplete it’s almost

impossible to assess extinction rates


Reasons for the decline• Past extinctions were caused by climate change,

plate tectonics and asteroid impacts• Current threats to biodiversity are described by

HIPPO• Habitat destruction• Invasive species• Pollution• Population• Overexploitation


Biodiversity loss in the developing world• Future losses in biodiversity will be greatest in the

developing world• Biodiversity is greatest• So is human population growth

• Asia and Africa have lost two-thirds of their original natural habitat• People’s desire for a better life• Desperate poverty• Global market for timber and other resources


Habitat change: conversion• The greatest source of biodiversity loss (36%)• Conversion, fragmentation, simplification, intrusion

• Species are adapted to specific habitats• When the habitat changes, the species goes with it

• Conversion of natural areas to farms, housing, malls, marinas, industrial centers• Forest cover has been reduced by 40%• North American songbird declines are due to loss of

winter habitat and fragmentation of summer habitat• Croplands that replace grasslands support few species


The border of Haiti and the Dominican Republic


Habitat change: fragmentation• Natural landscapes have large patches of habitat

connected to other similar patches• Human-dominated landscapes consist of a mosaic

of different land uses• The patches contrast with neighboring patches

• Fragments of habitat support small numbers and populations of species• Species become vulnerable to extinction

• Species that require large areas, grow slowly, or have unstable populations are also vulnerable


Fragmentation


Fragmentation: edge• Reducing habitat size increases edge• Exposing species to predators and nest parasites

• Edge is beneficial to some species but not to others• Kirtland’s warbler, an endangered species, depends

on jack pines in Michigan• Forests have been fragmented, creating edge• Brown-headed cowbirds are nest parasites that lay

their eggs in the warbler’s nest• Edge also favors nest predators (crows, magpies, jays)


Habitat change: simplification and intrusion• Simplification: humans simplify habitats• Removing logs and trees changes forest

microhabitats• Streams are channelized (straightened), reducing

fish and invertebrate species

• Intrusion: human structures• Millions of migrating birds crash into

telecommunication towers• Cell phone tower lights affect birds migrating at night• Up to a billion birds die each year by crashing into

windows


Invasive species• An exotic (alien) species: one that is introduced into

an area from somewhere else• Most don’t survive or don’t become pests• Invasive species: thrives, spreads, and can eliminate

native species by predation or competition

• Accidental introductions: the brown tree snake • Entered Guam on cargo ships• Within 50 years, it eliminated 9 of 12 bird species• It has no natural enemies• Wildlife officials are trying to prevent its spread


The brown tree snake


May I introduce…• Species have been deliberately introduced• Kudzu: to reclaim eroded or degraded lands• Saltcedar in the American southwest to control erosion

• Horticultural desirables: the Brazilian pepper in Florida has fundamentally changed the Everglades

• Aquaculture: the farming of shellfish, seaweed, and fish• Introducing parasites, seaweeds, invertebrates,

pathogens• Species escape and enter nearby waterways


The Brazilian pepper bush


Over time• Humans have transplanted species throughout history• European colonists brought weeds and plants to

America• Field, lawn, and roadside plants are exotics

• Animals have been introduced to North America• House mouse, Norway rat, wild boar, starling, horse

• The house cat is one of the most destructive exotics• Kills 1 billion small mammals and hundreds of millions of

birds• Species transplanted from North America cause

problems• Gray squirrels outcompete red squirrels in Europe


The gray squirrel


Invasive species and trophic levels• Nonnative plants have different resistance

mechanisms• Make it harder for herbivores to eat• Energy and materials may not pass up the food

chain

• Norway maples were introduced to North America in 1756• They provide less food up the food chain for

herbivores (caterpillars) and their predators (song birds)


Pollution kills or reduces populations• Agricultural nitrogen and phosphorus enter the

Mississippi River, creating a 10,000 square mile “dead zone” in the Gulf of Mexico

• It destroys or alters habitats• Oil spills kill seabirds and sea mammals• Pesticides (DDT) travel up the food chain and

become more concentrated in higher consumers• Sediments kill species in lakes, rivers, and bays• Climate change is already impacting species


Pollution can spread disease• Pathogen pollution: human wastes can spread

pathogenic microorganisms to wild species• Manatees have been killed by human

papillomavirus, cryptosporidium, and microsporidium

• Deformities in amphibians result from the larval stage of a flatworm invading tadpoles• High nutrient pollution led to large snail

populations• Snails are intermediate hosts of the flatworm



Population• Human populations put pressure on species• Direct use, habitat conversion, pollution

• Large numbers of humans use resources wild species need• Even if each person uses small amounts of resources

• A small group of people can overuse resources• People with highly consumptive resources have a

disproportionate effect on the environment

• Different levels of consumption and numbers of people drive tensions between countries


Overexploitation: trade in exotics• Overexploitation: overharvest of a particular species• Removing individuals faster than they can reproduce

• Overuse of species harms ecosystems• Driven by greed, ignorance, desperation, poor

management• Overcutting forests, overgrazing, overhunting, etc.

• Trade in exotics: much trade is illegal• Illegal trade generates $12 billion/yr, the third largest

source after drugs and guns• Consumers pay huge prices for “luxuries” (e.g., polar bear

rugs)


Illegal wildlife trade• Some parrots sell for $10,000• A panda skin rug sells for $25,000

• Shahtoosh shawls come from wool of the Tibetan antelope (chiru)• A “must-have” luxury item for the wealthy• It takes three dead antelopes to make one shawl• 20,000 chiru were killed/year and their numbers

plummeted• Retraining Kashmiri weavers and providing them with

other wools and public court cases made them less popular


Overexploitation: greed• The prospect of extinction does not stop exploiters• Huge profits drive poaching and the black market trade

• Exotic pets (fish, reptiles, birds) are taken from the wild• Most do not survive the transition• Do not buy wild-caught species

• The U.S. 1992 Wild Bird Conservation Act • Stops wild capture of declining birds, upholds treaties,

and supports sustainable breeding programs

• In 2007, the European Union (EU) prohibited importing wild birds


Consequences of losing biodiversity• Biodiversity is essential for ecosystem goods and

services• Mangroves and coral reefs buffer against storms • Ecotourism depends on biodiversity

• Energy flow and nutrient cycling are driven by species• Keystone species: species whose role is vital to

survival of other species• Predators control herbivores• Umbrella species: larger animals that need unspoiled

habitat (wolves, elephants, tigers, moose, etc.)


K-strategists are at most risk• Many declining species are K-strategists• Long-living, large, older at first reproduction, high

parental care• Vulnerable to rapid environmental change• Can decline even if they are common

• R-strategists are less likely to be harmed by humans• Widely distributed, small, rapid reproduction, low

parental care, ability to migrate• Likely to become pest species


Moving forward• What if humans cause a species to go extinct?• The natural world is less beautiful or interesting

• There are glimmers of hope• Species thought to be extinct aren’t• New populations of rare species are discovered

• New protections emerge from a change in policy• The EU’s concern over avian flu limits bird imports

• Scientific accomplishments and captive breeding• Led to the first live rhinoceros birth from frozen

semen


Saving wild species: conservation biology• Scientists are at the front lines of protecting biodiversity• They know what is out there and what is declining

• Stopping biodiversity losses requires laws and enforcement• People need to look at the big picture

• Conservation biology: focuses on protection of populations and species• Uses captive breeding, telemetry, and tracking devices

• Taxonomy: the cataloging and naming of species• Understanding species and identifying those in trouble• A lack of experts makes it hard to find solutions


Policy and political structure• Species protection requires public policies and

agencies to make and support them• In the U.S., wildlife resources are public resources• The government holds these resources under the

Public Trust Doctrine and is obliged to protect them• The protective role is exercised by state fisheries

and wildlife agencies

• The law may mandate federal jurisdiction• Endangered species and game animals


Game animals in the United States• Game animals are hunted for sport, meat, pelts• Species were hunted to extinction (great auk, heath hen,

passenger pigeon) or near extinction (bison, turkey)• Regulations established hunting seasons and limits• Some species were given complete protection

• Turkey boom: turkeys have recovered• After World War II, habitats were protected• Birds were reintroduced to historic habitats• Hunting quotas were strictly limited• They have become an introduced pest in the western

U.S.


The wild turkey


Hunting and conservation• Managers use hunting and trapping fees to enhance

habitats• Organizations raise funds to help species they want

to hunt

• Defenders of hunting argue that their prey lack predators • Increased prey eat crops, collide with cars, etc.• Hunters may think species are declining but others

think numbers are too high

• Others want to end hunting and trapping• Some practices (leghold steel traps) are cruel• Predators would restore natural checks and balances


Backyard menagerie• Many animal species are found in urban and

suburban areas• Rabbits, doves, squirrels are well-adapted• They are protected from hunting• Problems have emerged

• Roadways kill a million animals each day • This presents a hazard to drivers, too• Overpasses and tunnels provide safe corridors• Amphibians are at most danger


Highway overpasses


Nuisance animals thrive in urban areas• Opossums, skunks, and deer are attracted by food• Creating health hazards (e.g., rabies)

• Humans may be attacked by cougars, bears, alligators• Urbanization is encroaching on wildlife habitat• Coyotes eat pets and garbage• Protecting predators and humans is part of our

stewardship task

• Wildlife Services (formerly Animal Damage Control) removes (kills) 2.5 million animals/yr


Cougar on the roof


Protecting endangered species• Government policies protecting animals are

essential to prevent extinction• Even when cultural standards change• Laws and policies ensure protection

• Lacey Act (1900): forbids interstate commerce in illegally killed wildlife• Protects wildlife from illegal killing or smuggling• Violations result in fines and prison• In 2007, violators were caught with illegal bear gall

bladders, bobcat skins, and undersized leopard sharks


Endangered Species Act (1973)• Endangered species: in imminent danger of becoming

extinct if it is not protected• Includes genetically distinct subpopulations (subspecies)

• Threatened species: in jeopardy but not yet endangered• An officially recognized endangered or threatened species• Fines are levied for killing, trapping, uprooting (plants), or

engaging in commerce • Administered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and

the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Fisheries Service


Endangered species


Elements of the Endangered Species Act• Listing: by the appropriate agency, individuals,

groups, state agencies• Based on the best available information• Does not include any economic impact of listing

• Critical habitat: areas where a species is or could spread as it recovers• Includes privately held lands

• Recovery plans: designed to allow listed species to survive and thrive• Developed by the appropriate agency


Alternatives and roadblocks• By August, 2008, 1,327 species were listed for protection• 1,170 have recovery plans• 526 species have designated critical habitat• 253 other candidate species are waiting to be listed

• Political battles have prevented reauthorization of the act• Timber, recreational, mining, and other groups oppose it• They believe it limits their property rights• Congressional allies sponsor legislation to weaken or

abolish the Endangered Species Act


TESRA (2005)• Threatened and Endangered Species Recovery Act• Lowered the likelihood of species recovery• Eliminated protection of critical habitats• Decreased consultation between U.S. Fish and Wildlife

Service and the EPA on pesticide impacts on wildlife• Bypassed review of federal actions by wildlife agencies• Hampered use of modeling and reports on assessment of

extinction risk

• Scientists strongly objected to TESRA• TESRA passed the House but not the Senate


Conflicting values• Critics say the Endangered Species Act is a failure• Only 10 species have recovered and been delisted

• But this is not a true measure of success• The two major causes of extinction (habitat loss and

invasive species) are increasing• Only critically low species are listed• 41% of species have stabilized or increased—a

success

• Some critics say the act does not go far enough• Protection only occurs with listing and a recovery plan• Candidate species go extinct before being listed


Establishment of critical habitat• Opponents feel it places unwanted burdens on

property owners• They feel it does not help conserve species• TESRA would have identified, but not required,

areas of “special value” for species

• Critics of TESRA say critical habitat works• Species with critical habitat have been twice as likely

to recover


Future legislation• Many political and commercial groups want to weaken

the Endangered Species Act• In 2006, 6,000 scientists signed a letter to the Senate

urging them to maintain and strengthen the act• The Endangered Species Act formally recognizes the

importance of preserving species• Regardless of their economic importance• Species have legal rights to protection

• Tax breaks and incentives to landowners may help• The Endangered Species Recovery Act (ESRA) (2007)


Seeing success• Some species have successfully recovered• The gray wolf

• Birds of prey have recovered• Both the bald eagle and peregrine falcon had

thinner eggs due to the pesticide DDT• Once DDT was banned in the U.S. and Canada,

numbers increased• They are still protected under the Migratory Bird

Treaty Act and the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act


The American bald eagle


Fly away home• The whooping crane has had full-time monitoring

and protection• From 14 cranes in 1939, 266 cranes now exist• The migratory flock flies between Texas and Canada• A nonmigratory flock has been established in Florida

• 72 birds make up a new Florida-Wisconsin migratory flock• They were “taught” their migratory path by following

an ultralight aircraft• This flock is still extremely vulnerable


Whooping cranes and pilot


The spotted owl• Critics of the Endangered Species Act say it goes too

far to protect a species• The northern spotted owl was used to save some

remaining old-growth forests of the Pacific Northwest• The remaining 2,400 pairs are found only in these

forests

• The Northwest Forest Plan (1994) uses ecosystem management to set aside federal land • Prohibits logging trees older than 80 years• Because of threatened lawsuits, the Fish and Wildlife

Service finally released a recovery plan in 2008


Protecting biodiversity internationally• Efforts are being made worldwide to protect

species• Especially in the tropics

• Requires immense cooperation among local, state, and federal authorities• The National Biological Information Infrastructure

helps the U.S. coordinate with the rest of the world

• Partnerships create treaties• Monitor species, share information, and find

solutions to the needs of people when they clash with species


International developments• International Union for Conservation of Nature

(IUCN)• Monitors successes and failures of conservation efforts• Other groups coordinate scientists or policy makers

• The Invasive Species Specialist Group (ISSG) • Is part of the IUCN’s Species Survival Commission• Advises on and maintains a global database

• Policy and treaty makers formulate documents• Convention on Biological Diversity

• Funding must be available• The Critical Ecosystems Partnership fund, etc.


The Red List• Maintained by the IUCN for threatened species• Evaluates the risk of extinction for thousands of species

• Frequently updated and available on the Internet• In 2008, it had 16,928 species

• Each species is classified • Given its distribution, documentation, habitat, ecology,

conservation measures, and data sources

• Not actively engaged in preserving species• It is the basis of conservation activities• Provides crucial leadership


CITES• Convention on International Trade in Endangered

Species of Wild Fauna and Flora• Established in the early 1970s• An international agreement focusing on trade and

wildlife

• The highest level of vulnerability: species threatened with extinction• Uses restrictive trade permits• If the nations agree, there is a ban on trade • The signatory countries meet every 2–3 years


The ban on the trade in ivory• Implemented in 1989 to stop the rapid decline of

the African elephant • Fell from 2.5 million in 1950 to 470,000 in 2008

• Some countries have applied to CITES to resume ivory sales• Each time a trade is permitted, poaching resumes

• Any plan to protect elephants must enable people to manage wildlife without overexploitation• Requires a world outcry against ivory collection


Convention on Biological Diversity• CITES cannot address biodiversity loss• An international treaty to conserve global biodiversity• Drafted at the 1992 Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro

• Its three objectives are:• Conservation of biodiversity• Sustainable use of biodiversity services• The equitable sharing of the use of genetic resources

found in a country

• Governed by the Conference of the Parties (CITES members)


2010: The international year of biodiversity• The Biodiversity Treaty’s delegates adopted a

Strategic Plan to achieve, by 2010, a significant reduction in biodiversity loss

• The targets are achievable, but it will take an unprecedented and costly effort• Loss of biodiversity continues at all levels• But protected areas are increasing

• Lobbying by organizations prevented ratification by the Senate• But the U.S. still sends delegations to meetings


Critical ecosystem partnership fund• Sponsored by multiple entities and foundations• Provides grants to NGOs and community-based

groups for conservation activities in biodiversity “hot spots”

• Hot spots are 34 regions making up 2.3% of Earth’s land surface• Contain 75% of the most threatened species

• By 2008, the fund had provided $102 million• 1,300 partners to work on preserving biodiversity in

these hot spots


Biodiversity hot spots


Stewardship concerns• We must take steps to protect biological wealth• Our values come from our view of species

• Wisdom: has four themes• Reform policies that lead to biodiversity declines• Address the needs of people living next to high-

biodiversity areas• Practice conservation at the landscape level• Promote more research on biodiversity, particularly

through the Internet


Values• Is the natural world simply for humans to use?• Or should it be managed sustainably?

• We all derive benefits from biodiversity• We will all suffer from its loss, particularly the poor

• Stemming the loss of species requires hard work• Focusing on preserving ecosystems

• Thomas Jefferson said that if one link in nature’s chain is lost, another might be lost• Until the whole of things vanishes


CHAPTER 6

Wild Species and Biodiversity

Active Lecture Questions


The natural species of living things are collectively referred to as

a. biota.b. abiota.c. symbiota.d. bopota.

Review Question-1


The natural species of living things are collectively referred to as

a. biota.b. abiota.c. symbiota.d. bopota.

Review Question-1 Answer


When a species or organism provides some benefit to another, it is considered to have ______; when the species or organism has value for its own sake, it is considered to have ______.

a. intrinsic value; instrumental valueb. instrumental value; intrinsic valuec. intrinsic value; economic valued. economic value; instrumental value

Review Question-2


When a species or organism provides some benefit to another, it is considered to have ______; when the species or organism has value for its own sake, it is considered to have ______.

a. intrinsic value; instrumental valueb. instrumental value; intrinsic valuec. intrinsic value; economic valued. economic value; instrumental value



Habitat destruction that leaves only small patches of natural habitat is considered

a. invasion.b. conversion.c. intrusion.d. fragmentation.

Review Question-3


Habitat destruction that leaves only small patches of natural habitat is considered

a. invasion.b. conversion.c. intrusion.d. fragmentation.



A critical element in the protecting of species is ______, which is the cataloging of species and the naming of new ones.

a. ethnobotanyb. taxonomyc. aquacultured. biodiversity

Review Question-4


A critical element in the protecting of species is ______, which is the cataloging of species and the naming of new ones.

a. ethnobotanyb. taxonomyc. aquacultured. biodiversity



The ______ List uses a set of criteria to evaluate the risk of extinction for thousands of species throughout the world.

a. Redb. Yellowc. Greend. Rainbow

Review Question-5


The ______ List uses a set of criteria to evaluate the risk of extinction for thousands of species throughout the world.

a. Redb. Yellowc. Greend. Rainbow



According to Fig. 6-5, what percentage of U.S. species of plants and animals are considered to be at risk of extinction?

a. approximately 33%b. approximately 55%c. approximately 67%d. approximately 92%

Interpreting Graphs and Data-1


According to Fig. 6-5, what percentage of U.S. species of plants and animals are considered to be at risk of extinction?

a. approximately 33%b. approximately 55%c. approximately 67%d. approximately 92%

Interpreting Graphs and Data-1 Answer


According to Fig. 6-20, the United States has one biodiversity hot spot; it is called

a. Caucasus.b. Micronesia.c. California

Floristic Province.d. Cape Floristic

Region.

Interpreting Graphs and Data-2


According to Fig. 6-20, the United States has one biodiversity hot spot; it is called

a. Caucasus.b. Micronesia.c. California

Floristic Province.d. Cape Floristic

Region.

Interpreting Graphs and Data-2 Answer


In 1900, U.S. Congress passed the ______ Act to prevent interstate commerce in illegally traded wildlife.

a. Endangered Species b. Magnuson c. Laceyd. Threatened and Endangered Species

Recovery

Thinking Environmentally-1


In 1900, U.S. Congress passed the ______ Act to prevent interstate commerce in illegally traded wildlife.

a. Endangered Species b. Magnuson c. Laceyd. Threatened and Endangered Species

Recovery

Thinking Environmentally-1 Answer


Which of the following was not a major recommendation of the UN Global Biodiversity Assessment for the protection of biodiversity?

a. reform policies that lead to declines in

biodiversityb. address the needs of people who live

near biodiversity hot spotsc. reduce conservation at the landscape leveld. promote more research on biodiversity

Thinking Environmentally-2


Which of the following was not a major recommendation of the UN Global Biodiversity Assessment for the protection of biodiversity?

a. reform policies that lead to declines in biodiversity

b. address the needs of people who live near biodiversity hotspots

c. reduce conservation at the landscape leveld. promote more research on biodiversity

Thinking Environmentally-2 Answer

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CHAPTER 6