Habitat Fragmentation and Biodiversity

Dr. Kloor's lecture on island biogeography explores how species presence on islands is influenced by emigration and extinction rates. The equilibrium point is where the number of new species equals the number of extinctions. Larger islands support more species due to lower extinction and higher immigration rates. Human activities create land 'islands' through habitat fragmentation, affecting biodiversity. Strategies like metapopulations and habitat corridors can help maintain species diversity.

What are the two main factors that determine the number of species on an island?

• Immigration and extinction rates

• Food availability and water supply

• Climate and vegetation

• Predation and competition

As the number of species on an island increases, what happens to the immigration rate?

• It increases

• It fluctuates randomly

• It remains constant

• It decreases

What is the equilibrium point in island biogeography?

• When extinction rate is zero

• When immigration rate is zero

• When immigration and extinction rates are equal

• When the island reaches maximum capacity

How does island size affect extinction rates?

• Smaller islands have lower extinction rates

• Larger islands have lower extinction rates

• Island size does not affect extinction rates

• Larger islands have higher extinction rates

Why do larger islands tend to have higher immigration rates?

• They have more resources

• They are easier to find

• They have more predators

• They are closer to the mainland

What is habitat fragmentation?

• The expansion of habitats

• The destruction of all habitats

• The division of habitats into smaller, isolated patches

• The merging of different habitats

How does habitat fragmentation affect biodiversity?

• It increases biodiversity

• It has no effect on biodiversity

• It decreases biodiversity

• It stabilizes biodiversity

What is a metapopulation?

• A single large population

• A population that is declining rapidly

• A group of isolated populations with no interaction

• Interconnected populations with some movement between them

What is the purpose of habitat corridors?

• To increase the size of a single habitat

• To allow movement between fragmented habitats

• To prevent species from migrating

• To separate different species

How can we maintain biodiversity in fragmented landscapes?

• By isolating each fragment

• By reducing the number of species

• By increasing human development

• By creating metapopulations and habitat corridors