Name: ___________________________________________Date: ______________________Block: _________
Chapter 18 – Reading Questions
1. How do we know that we are “in the middle of a 6th mass extinction”?
2. Why would global declines in the genetic diversity of wild organisms be problematic?
3. What do you think is driving a global decline in the diversity of crops and livestock, even as the volumes of crops
and meat produced increase?
4. What does it mean for a species to be endangered? Which types of species do you think are most vulnerable?
5. Complete the following chart regarding the major causes of biodiversity loss:
How does it threaten
Underlying causes?
biodiversity?
Solutions
Habitat Loss
Invasive Species
Overharvesting
Pollution
Climate Change
6. What are the major pieces of conservation legislation when it comes to the single-species approach, and what
does each of those laws protect?
7. What are the advantages to biodiversity conservation through an ecosystem-based approach instead of a
species-based approach?
8. What are the most important characteristics of an effective biosphere reserve?
Chapter 18 Vocabulary List
Extinction
The death of the last member of a species.
Sixth mass
extinction
Inbreeding
depression
Endangered species
A large extinction of species in a relatively short period of time.
A genetic phenomenon in which individuals with similar genotypes breed with each other and produce
offspring with an impaired ability to survive and reproduce.
At serious risk of extinction
Habitat Loss
Alien species
A species living outside its historical range.
Invasive species
A species that spreads rapidly across large areas.
Overharvesting
CITES
Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) • A 1973 treaty
formed to control the international trade of threatened plants and animals.
IUCN Red List
Endangered Species
Act
Marine Mammal
Protection Act
Convention on
Biological Diversity
Lacey Act
Biosphere reserve
Habitat corridor
A 1973 U.S. act that implements CITES, designed to protect species from extinction.
A 1972 U.S. act to protect declining populations of marine mammals.
A 1992 international treaty formed to help protect biodiversity.
A U.S. act that prohibits interstate shipping of all illegally harvested plants and animals.
A protected area consisting of zones that vary in the amount of permissible human impact.