LET’S INITIATE!

1. Why is biodiversity is important?

Biodiversity is important for the survival of the ecological system. Most
importantly, many plant and animal species are mutually dependent. As a result, if one of
them becomes extinct, many more will become endangered as well. It is also vital for
people because our life is dependent on plants and animals. For example, humans require
food to thrive, which we obtain from plants. We cannot produce crops if the planet does
not provide us with a good climate. As a result, we will no longer be able to survive on this
planet.
2. Differentiate generalist species from specialist species and give an example of each.
A generalist species is one that eats a wide variety of foods and thrives in a variety
of habitats. A specialist species, on the other hand, is one that has a restricted diet and
thrives in a certain set of environmental conditions. This is the main difference between a
generalist and a specialist. Raccoons are an example of a generalist species, whereas the
Panda is an example of a specialist.
3. What is extinction?
Extinction is an evolutionary process that results in the disappearance of a species
or population. The extinction of an animal or plant species happens when there are no more
members of that species alive anywhere on the planet, the species has died out.
LET’S INQUIRE!
1. If humans were to become extinct, what are three species that might also become extinct,
and what are three species whose populations would probably grow? Explain.
If people became extinct, the animals in cities would die since their steady food
source would be lost. Furthermore, many who live on farms would perish since they are
used to obtaining food from farms rather than scavenging in the wild. The populations of
mice, chickens, and dogs would most likely decrease, while those of eagles, tigers, and
mountain gorillas would likely grow.
2. List three aspects of your lifestyle that could be contributing to some of the losses of the
earth’s biodiversity. For each of these, what are some ways to avoid making this
contribution?
Climate change, deforestation and habitat loss, and overexploitation are the three
major causes of biodiversity loss on Earth. To avoid climate change, we need shift our
primary energy sources to clean energy, and renewable energy is the most effective strategy
to fade out the use of fossil fuels. Also, to reduce deforestation and habitat loss, humans
should stop cutting trees and start planting trees, as well as recycle as much as possible at
home. Lastly, to avoid overexploitation, we should employ reusable products rather than
single-use things. A variety of ordinary single-use goods are now available in reusable
versions, saving time and effort while also helping to minimize plastic pollution.
LET’S INFER!
According to my research, the world's amphibians are in trouble; numbers of almost
all of the world's 6200 species of frogs, toads, salamanders, newts, and caecilians are
declining, and one in every three amphibian species is on the verge of extinction. Within
last 20 years, some species have gone extinct. The Panamanian Golden Frog, seen in Life
in Cold Blood episode two, is only one of many species that no longer exist in their native
habitat. Amphibians are regarded as essential indicator species because they are the first to
be impacted by changing environmental circumstances. When amphibians become extinct
or have a population decline, it is typically a warning that the entire ecosystem is in
jeopardy. Non-native species (predatory fish, bullfrogs, fungus, pathogens), climate change
(alters temperature and water levels), pollution, and illnesses (particularly
chytridiomycosis caused by the chytrid fungus) have all been found to contribute to global
amphibian declines. The AZA and its Animal Programs and Committees are dedicated to
amphibian protection. The Amphibian TAG and SSPs deal directly with threatened species,
while the Conservation Education Committee created conservation and education
initiatives and AZA maintains the FrogWatch USA citizen science program.