Biodiversity Decline -
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School
Macomb Community College *
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Course
1050
Subject
Geography
Date
Jan 9, 2024
Type
Pages
3
Uploaded by BarristerFireSquid38 on coursehero.com
Biodiversity Decline Video QuesƟons
1.
Where do scienƟsts believe that half or more of the earth’s species live?
ScienƟsts believe that half or more of the Earth's species live in tropical rainforests.
2.
How much tropical rainforest is destroyed annually?
The rate of tropical rainforest destrucƟon varies from year to year, but it has been esƟmated
that several million hectares of tropical rainforest are destroyed annually.
3.
What kinds of pracƟces or acƟviƟes contribute to the destrucƟon of tropical rain forests?
Various pracƟces and acƟviƟes contribute to the destrucƟon of tropical rainforests, including
logging, mining, infrastructure development and illegal acƟviƟes like poaching.
4.
What is the “hotspot” of tropical destrucƟon according to Dr. Lawrence? Why is this
occurring?
Dr. Lawrence's concept of the "hotspot" of tropical destrucƟon refers to regions with
parƟcularly high rates of rainforest destrucƟon, which is occurring due to a combinaƟon of
factors such as logging, agriculture expansion, and infrastructure development.
5.
What has been the trend in the amount of tropical rainforest covering the earth over the last
50yrs?
The trend in the amount of tropical rainforest covering the Earth over the last 50 years has
been a significant decrease. Large areas of rainforest have been cleared for various
purposes, leading to deforestaƟon and habitat loss.
6.
According to Dr. Lawrence, what is the last great biological fronƟer for discovery of new
species?
Dr. Lawrence may refer to the deep rainforest as the last great biological fronƟer for the
discovery of new species. Rainforests remain relaƟvely unexplored, and scienƟsts conƟnue
to discover new and unknown species in these ecosystems.
7.
What happens to a large tropical rainforest when roads are developed that cut through it?
When roads are developed that cut through a large tropical rainforest, it oŌen leads to
increased deforestaƟon, habitat fragmentaƟon, and easier access for logging and hunƟng,
which can have detrimental effects on the ecosystem and its biodiversity.
8.
Describe the typical condiƟons inside a tropical rainforest.
Inside a tropical rainforest, you can expect to find high temperatures, high humidity, dense
vegetaƟon, a variety of plant and animal species, and complex interacƟons among
organisms. Rainforests are known for their lush vegetaƟon, with a mulƟ-layered canopy,
understory, and forest floor.
9.
What occurs on the border between a tropical rainforest and a dry, open, windy grassland?
What happens over Ɵme to the plant species found along that border?
Along the border between a tropical rainforest and a dry, open, windy grassland, there is
oŌen a transiƟon zone known as an ecotone. Over Ɵme, plant species in this border region
may change as they adapt to the changing environmental condiƟons. Some species may
thrive in the transiƟon zone, while others may be outcompeted or displaced.
10.
Explain what Dr. Lawrence meant when he said “whenever there is an environmental
change, there are winners and losers.
When Dr. Lawrence menƟoned that "whenever there is an environmental change, there are
winners and losers," he likely meant that when the environment changes due to human
acƟviƟes or natural processes, some species may adapt and thrive in the new condiƟons
(winners), while others may struggle to survive or become exƟnct (losers).
11.
QuHow do scienƟsts idenƟfy species of trees in the rainforest?
ScienƟsts idenƟfy species of trees in the rainforest through various methods, including visual
observaƟon, leaf and bark characterisƟcs, DNA analysis, and ecological interacƟons. They
may also rely on field guides and taxonomic experƟse.
12.
What did the scienƟsts discover about bird species that had their habitat disrupted by road?
ScienƟsts discovered that bird species with disrupted habitats due to roads oŌen experience
negaƟve impacts on their populaƟons, such as reduced populaƟons and altered behaviors.
Roads can lead to increased mortality due to collisions, habitat fragmentaƟon, and reduced
access to resources.
13.
Why are coral reefs someƟmes called the rainforest of the sea?
Coral reefs are someƟmes called the rainforest of the sea because, like rainforests, they are
incredibly diverse ecosystems with a wide variety of species. They provide habitat and
shelter for many marine organisms, making them vital for biodiversity.
14.
What occurred in the control coral reefs 2yrs aŌer the oil spill?
The specific events that occurred in control coral reefs 2 years aŌer an oil spill would depend
on the context of the study. Generally, control reefs would serve as a reference point to
assess the impact of the oil spill on nearby reefs. Ideally, they should show no signs of the oil
spill's impact.
15.
How does Dr. Jackson aƩempt to understand and esƟmate the variety of species that existed
in the ocean before human disturbance?
Dr. Jackson aƩempts to understand and esƟmate the variety of species that existed in the
ocean before human disturbance by studying historical records, fossils, and exisƟng
ecosystems in less disturbed areas, which can serve as a baseline for comparison.
16.
What is the baseline, according to Dr. Jackson?
The baseline, according to Dr. Jackson, refers to the historical, undisturbed state of ocean
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