Home Page Textbooks Prentice Hall Biology (California) Section 6.3: Biodiversity

Prentice Hall Biology (California)

1st Edition

Kenneth R. Miller, Levine

ISBN: 9780132013529

Textbook solutions

All Solutions

Section 6.3: Biodiversity

Exercise 1

Solution 1

Solution 2

Step 1

1 of 1

Biodiversity, a great natural resource, includes species of many kinds that have provided humans with foods, industrial products, and medicines (e.g., painkillers, antibiotics, hear drugs, antidepressants, anticancer drugs, et cetera).

Step 1

1 of 3

Biodiversity generally refers to the genetic variety of organisms that are found in a particular ecosystem. Biodiversity is important since it helps maintain the stability of the ecosystem.

Step 2

2 of 3

Biodiversity is worth preserving because a wide variety of organisms provide us with ecological services such as the provision of food, purification of air and water, and the recycling of matter.

Step 3

3 of 3

Biodiversity is worth preserving not only because the ecosystem is useful to human populations, but also because of its inherent value. Many people appreciate the beauty of biodiversity.

Exercise 2

Solution 1

Solution 2

Step 1

1 of 1

Cutting down trees may destroy the environment for many species of insects leading to their extinction.

Planting hostile plants may take away nutrients from natural plants such as prairie grass and force them to die out.

The industrial revolution has released a great deal of pollution into the air and many species of organisms are susceptible to this poison. Also, pollution of water has already killed many species of fishes.

Humans consume many kinds of animals as food and if this consumption continues without control, then some species may become endangered. Hunting can also cause the same result.

Step 1

1 of 4

One activity that threatens biodiversity is widespread deforestation. The excessive cutting of trees can severely degrade the habitat of many organisms, which may cause them to die off.

Step 2

2 of 4

Another activity that can threaten biodiversity is the generation of pollution. Industries may release a lot of toxic fumes and chemicals into the air and water, which can kill many organisms.

Step 3

3 of 4

The introduction of invasive species is another activity that threatens biodiversity. Invasive species are able to outcompete native species for resources, which may cause them to die out.

Step 4

4 of 4

Lastly, overharvesting and excessive hunting are activities that can also threaten biodiversity. The overexploitation of species can potentially lead to their extinction when left unregulated.

Exercise 3

Solution 1

Solution 2

Result

1 of 1

Ecologists, together with the help of the government, focus on protecting the entire ecosystem including its natural resources and wildlife. Their projects are aimed to preserve the natural habitats of the different species.

Step 1

1 of 1

To protect entire ecosystems and specific species

Exercise 4

Solution 1

Solution 2

Step 1

1 of 2

if habitat size decreases, biodiversity decreases. there is less room for different variation of plants and animals

Result

2 of 2

see explanation for solution

Step 1

1 of 2

Species diversity is often directly proportional to habitat size. A large habitat size is capable of supporting a larger population of species, and thus can support a wider diversity of organisms.

Step 2

2 of 2

On the other hand, a small habitat size can only support a smaller population of species, and thus can only support a narrower range of diversity due to limited resources such as space.

Exercise 5

Step 1

1 of 3

Habitats are considered to be limited resources because it takes a lot of time and effort to restore a habitat once it is degraded or even destroyed. In extreme cases, it may not be restored.

Step 2

2 of 3

Habitats provide food, shelter, and breeding grounds to a variety of organisms. If habitats are destroyed, these organisms would not be able to reproduce, which threatens long-term survival.

Step 3

3 of 3

Therefore, it is important to preserve as much natural habitat as possible in order for organisms to reproduce and perpetuate their species. Without habitats, biodiversity would be lost.

Exercise 6

Step 1

1 of 2

There are two problems that could arise from the introduction of an endangered species into a non-native habitat. One problem is that the endangered species might not be able to adapt to the non-native habitat and thus would not be able to survive (i.e. extinction).

Step 2

2 of 2

Another problem that could arise is when the endangered species becomes an invasive species in the non-native habitat. In this case, the endangered species would outcompete the native species for resources due to the lack of limiting factors such as predation.

unlock

All Solutions

Section 6.3: Biodiversity

Haven't found what you were looking for?

Search for samples, answers to your questions and flashcards