5.2 Threats to Biodiversity Review

Front

What nutrients are removed from the soil by acid precipitation?

Back

Calcium, potassium, and other nutrients.

Front

What term describes the gradual process of species becoming extinct at a natural rate?

Back

Background extinction.

Front

What condition triggered the chain of events that caused kelp forests to begin to disappear?

Back

An increase in sea urchins.

Front

How can the decline of a single species affect an entire ecosystem?

Back

It can have profound and cascading effects on the ecosystem.

Front

Which habitat has the greatest impact resulting from edge effects?

Back

Habitat B.

Front

What is biodiversity?

Back

The variety of life in the world or in a particular habitat or ecosystem.

Front

What are invasive species?

Back

Species that are non-native to a specific location and can cause harm to the environment, economy, or human health.

Front

What is overexploitation?

Back

The unsustainable use of natural resources, leading to the depletion of species.

Front

What is mass extinction?

Back

A significant and rapid decrease in the number of species on Earth, often due to catastrophic events.

Front

What role do keystone species play in an ecosystem?

Back

They have a disproportionately large effect on their environment relative to their abundance.