BIODIVERSITY UNIT TEST ANSWERS science 7b
1. What is biodiversity?
- Biodiversity refers to the variety of plant and animal species within a particular ecosystem.
2. Why is biodiversity important?
- Biodiversity is important because it helps to maintain a healthy ecosystem by providing a range of species that play different roles in the environment. It also contributes to the stability and resilience of the ecosystem, as well as providing valuable resources for humans such as food, medicine, and clean water.
3. What are the three levels of biodiversity? Describe each.
- Genetic diversity: This refers to the variation of genes within a species, allowing for adaptation and evolution.
- Species diversity: This refers to the variety of different species within an ecosystem.
- Ecosystem diversity: This refers to the variety of different ecosystems present on Earth, each with its own unique set of species and environmental conditions.
4. What are some threats to biodiversity?
- Habitat destruction, climate change, pollution, invasive species, overhunting or overfishing, and deforestation are all threats to biodiversity.
5. How can we protect biodiversity?
- We can protect biodiversity by creating protected areas such as national parks and wildlife reserves, implementing sustainable land use practices, controlling invasive species, reducing pollution, and promoting conservation efforts.
6. Give an example of a keystone species and explain its importance in an ecosystem.
- An example of a keystone species is the sea otter, which plays a crucial role in maintaining the health of the kelp forest ecosystem. Sea otters feed on sea urchins, which in turn prevents the overgrazing of kelp by sea urchins. Without sea otters, the kelp forests would be destroyed, leading to a loss of biodiversity in the ecosystem.
7. What is extinction?
- Extinction is the complete disappearance of a species from Earth, either locally or globally.
8. Why is extinction a concern for biodiversity?
- Extinction can lead to a loss of biodiversity, disrupt ecosystems, and reduce the overall resilience and stability of the environment.
9. Name one organization that works to protect biodiversity.
- One organization that works to protect biodiversity is the World Wildlife Fund (WWF).
10. How can individuals help to protect biodiversity?
- Individuals can help protect biodiversity by supporting conservation efforts, reducing their carbon footprint, using sustainable products, and educating others about the importance of biodiversity.