6.3 Biodiversity

Understand Key Concepts

  1. A species that is introduced to an environment where it has not lived before is described as

    1. native.

    2. nonnative.

    3. threatened.

    4. predatory.

  2. What is a habitat fragment?

  3. List three different kinds of biodiversity that might be described in a given biome.

    Think Critically

  1. Predict How do you think the loss of biodiversity would adversely affect humans?

  2. Compare and Contrast Explain the difference between species diversity and ecosystem diversity.

6.4 Meeting Ecological Challenges

Understand Key Concepts

  1. The burning of fossil fuels is a direct cause of each the following EXCEPT

    1. acid rain.

    2. global warming.

    3. smog.

    4. the ozone hole.

  2. The total impact a person has on the biosphere can be represented by his or her

    1. contribution to climate change.

    2. ecological footprint.

    3. consumption of fossil fuel.

    4. production of carbon dioxide.

  3. Cite three examples of physical evidence for global warming.

  4. What are some of the biological effects of climate change?

    Think Critically

  1. Relate Cause and Effect Why hasn't the ozone layer repaired itself fully since the widespread ban of CFCs in 1987?

  2. Apply Concepts Describe some of the steps taken to counter the effects of overfishing cod in the North Atlantic. Why is overfishing such a complex environmental issue?

solve the CHAPTER MYSTERY

Huge stone statues called Moai, situated in an island of Chile. The statue has a big face with large nose broad chin & long ears.

MOVING THE MOAI

Easter Island's environment was not as biologically diverse, and not as resistant to ecological damage, as the Hawaiian Islands. The Rapa Nui cut palm trees for agriculture, for logs to move moai, and for wood to make fishing canoes. They mismanaged cleared fields, so fertile topsoil washed away.

Meanwhile, rats they brought to the island became invasive. Hordes of the rodents destroyed palm seedlings, ate coconuts, and digested palm seeds before they could germinate. Hawaiians also brought rats to their islands, and rats did serious damage to native Hawaiian plants. But in Hawaii's more diverse forests, some plant species were not as hard hit by rats and survived.

The combination of human activity and the effects of an invasive species led to the destruction of virtually all of Easter Island's forests. This combination, along with the effects of a harsh climate, limited the island's carrying capacity for humans from then on.

  1. Relate Cause and Effect How did the small size of the island (about half the size of Long Island, New York) affect the outcome of deforestation and pest invasion?

  2. Compare and Contrast Gather information on differences in geography, climate, and biological diversity between Hawaii and Easter Island. How do you think those differences made the islands respond differently to human settlement?

  3. Connect to the All human cultures throughout history have interacted with their environments. Do you think that global human society has any lessons to learn from the experiences of the Rapa Nui, the Hawaiians, and other historic cultures?

End ofPage 183

Table of Contents

Miller & Levine Biology
About the Authors
Changing the World of Biology Education
Contents
Diversity of Life: A Visual Guide DOL•1–DOL•64
Labs and Activities
Features
UNIT 1 The Nature of Life
1 The Science of Biology
2 The Chemistry of Life
Unit Project
UNIT 2 Ecology
3 The Biosphere
4 Ecosystems and Communities
5 Populations
6 Humans in the Biosphere
Unit Project
UNIT 3 Cells
7 Cell Structure and Function
8 Photosynthesis
9 Cellular Respiration and Fermentation
10 Cell Growth and Division
Unit Project
UNIT 4 Genetics
11 Introduction to Genetics
12 DNA
13 RNA and Protein Synthesis
14 Human Heredity
15 Genetic Engineering
Unit Project
UNIT 5 Evolution
16 Darwin's Theory of Evolution
17 Evolution of Populations
18 Classification
19 History of Life
Unit Project
UNIT 6 From Microorganisms to Plants
20 Viruses and Prokaryotes
21 Protists and Fungi
22 Introduction to Plants
23 Plant Structure and Function
24 Plant Reproduction and Response
Unit Project
UNIT 7 Animals
25 Introduction to Animals
26 Animal Evolution and Diversity
27 Animal Systems I
28 Animal Systems II
29 Animal Behavior
Unit Project
UNIT 8 The Human Body
30 Digestive and Excretory Systems
31 Nervous System
32 Skeletal, Muscular, and Integumentary Systems
33 Circulatory and Respiratory Systems
34 Endocrine and Reproductive Systems
35 Immune System and Disease
Unit Project
A Visual Guide to The Diversity of Life
HOW TO USE THIS GUIDE
THE TREE OF LIFE
Bacteria
Protists
Fungi
Plants
Animals
Appendices
Appendix A Science Skills
Appendix B Lab Skills
Appendix C Technology & Design
Appendix D Math Skills
Appendix E Periodic Table
Glossary
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
H
I
J
K
L
M
N
O
P
Q, R
S
T
U
V
W
X, Y, Z
Index
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
H
I
J
K
L
M
N
O
P
Q
R
S
T
U
V
W
X
Y
Z
Credits
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