ET Biodiversity 5/16/23

A small marine area has phytoplankton as its only producer. Should the marine biologist be concerned about this ecosystem?

• No the fish do not need the phytoplankton. Since there are so many fish, there is high biodiversity.

• Yes, this system has high biodiversity; however the fish can adapt and get food from another source.

• Yes, this ecosystem has low biodiversity. Without a producer the herbivores will die out leaving no food.

• Yes, the fish will overate to get all of the phytoplankton that is left, then they will die.

In general, as you move from the equator to the poles, what happens to biodiversity?

• Increases

• Decreases

• Remains the same

READ THE GRAPH!

This diagram provides information on the diversity, in number of species, for four major groups of animals over time. What is the only group that experienced an increase of diversity between 413 million years ago and 265 million years ago?

• Mollusks

• Arthropods

• Echinoderms

• Chordates

Why is biodiversity in an ecosystem so important?

• Because it can help humans where to determine good places to develop farm land.

• Because places that have a healthy biodiversity are unaffected by major disturbances.

• Because having a high biodiversity allows for fewer opportunities of competition for similar resources.

• Because having a high biodiversity allows ecosystems to withstand disturbances (major changes).

Which island would be the most biodiverse?

• Small island far from the mainland

• Small island close to the mainland

• Large island close to the mainland

• Large island far from the mainland

A solution to habitat fragmentation is

• building ecosystem ladders

• building more zoos

• building more islands

• building wildlife corridors