EnvSci 7:2 What role do humans play in the loss of species?

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What does the term HIPPCO help describe?

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HIPPCO is an acronym that describes human activities that threaten wild species, including Habitat destruction, Invasive species, Pollution, Population growth, Climate change, and Overexploitation.

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What is the impact of burning fossil fuels, deforestation, and agriculture on the atmosphere?

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These activities lead to an increase in Greenhouse Gas Emissions, which causes atmospheric warming.

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What is biomagnification?

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Biomagnification is the process whereby a chemical pollutant becomes more concentrated as it moves up each trophic level in a food chain or web.

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What does bioaccumulation refer to?

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Bioaccumulation refers to the ability of a chemical to build up in an organism’s tissues over time.

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Which nonnative species was first intentionally imported but escaped to become an invasive species?

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Asian carp is an example of a nonnative species that was first intentionally imported but escaped and became invasive.

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What are greenhouse gases?

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Greenhouse gases are gases that trap heat in the atmosphere, contributing to the greenhouse effect and global warming.

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What is habitat destruction?

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Habitat destruction is the process in which natural habitat is rendered unable to support the species present, often due to human activities.

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What is the difference between bioaccumulation and biomagnification?

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Bioaccumulation refers to the buildup of chemicals in an individual organism, while biomagnification refers to the increase in concentration of these chemicals as they move up the food chain.

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What role do invasive species play in biodiversity loss?

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Invasive species can outcompete native species for resources, leading to declines in native populations and overall biodiversity loss.

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What is overexploitation?

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Overexploitation is the unsustainable use of natural resources, leading to the depletion of species and ecosystems.