1. z
Human Activity
Affects Biological
Diversity

2. zExtinct: Organisms that die out completely and do
not ​exist anywhere. Ex: Dinosaurs
Endangered: Organisms become very rare and are
in ​serious danger of becoming extinct. Ex. Polar
Bears/Pandas
Threatened: Those species whose numbers are
declining. A species at risk of extinction. Ex. Humpback
Whale
Extirpated: A species that no longer has any living
members in a certain area or region. Ex. No timber
wolves in USA
Special Concern: Species that are particularly
vulnerable to natural events or human activates ex.
Amphibians like frogs

3. z
2. What are the natural causes of extinction/extirpation?
1. Natural Disasters - Volcanic eruptions, Floods &
Fires
2. Overspecialization – Having to narrow a niche. –
Koalas only eat one type of plant
3. Lack of food – Due to draught or loss of habitat
4. Disease – Honey Bee Disease

4. z

5. z3. What are the human causes of Extinction/extirpation?
1. Habitat destruction
2. Introduction of non-native species (Bio-invasion)
3. Over hunting
4. What are the effects of extinction and extirpation? Why
should we be concerned?
Extinctions and extirpations reduce biological diversity.
Extinctions reduce the number of species on the planet.
Extirpations reduce biological diversity in areas from
which the organism has disappeared. It is important to
maintain species diversity

6. z
5. What is artificial selection and biotechnology?
a) Artificial selection: Humans selecting desirable traits and
breeding to maintain or enhance them.
Humans have practiced artificial selection since we first began to
farm about 10 000 years ago. After so many generations of artificial
selection, most of our plants no longer resemble the wild species
from which they were bred.
b) Biotechnology: Technology humans use for artificial selection
and selective breeding.
For instance, livestock breeders have to breed cows over many
generations to get a whole herd that produces large quantities of
milk. Scientists and breeders have, therefore, developed
technologies that can speed up this process. These technologies
can range from “low tech” to extremely “high tech.”

7. z6. What are the 4 forms of biotechnology with examples?
1. Cloning plants – Using a cutting from a plant and
growing an identical plant from the cutting or using
cells in a petri dish to create a clone
2. Artificial insemination – Taking sperm from a bull and
planting it in a female
3. In vitro fertilization – Taking both sperm and eggs and
combining them in a petri dish
4. Genetic engineering – Changing the genes of a
species (glowing genes)

8. z

9. z

10. z7. What are the risks of biotechnology or artificial
selection?
a) In Animals: Reduced genetic variation & risk of
disease
b) In Plants: Risk of cross pollinating weeds that would
be resistant to herbicides

11. z
8. What are the 5 ways of conserving biodiversity? Give an
explanation and example of each. What are the advantages
and disadvantages of each way of conservation?
1. Protected areas – In-situ conservation – Banff national
park
Advantage: allow organisms to live relatively undisturbed in their natural habitats.
Disadvantage: It takes work and cooperation from the government as well as money
2. Restoration of ecosystems & species- In-situ conservation
– replanting forests
Advantage: allow organisms to live relatively undisturbed in their natural habitats.
Disadvantage: It takes work, manpower (Volunteer groups, private landowners etc.) as well as
money
3. Federal & provincial laws to protect species & natural
areas. (parks & wetlands) – no hunting laws
Advantage: prevent species in Canada from becoming extinct as a consequence of human
activity.
Disadvantage: It takes work and cooperation from the government

12. z8. What are the 5 ways of conserving biodiversity? Give
an explanation and example of each. What are the
advantages and disadvantages of each way of
conservation?
4. Controlling the spread of exotic species – purple
loosestrife
Advantage: keeps natural order of an ecosystem and keeps diversity alive in an
ecosystem
Disadvantage: It takes work and cooperation from the government or other group if bio
invasion does occur
5. Conserving genetic resources (like seed storage) - Ex-situ
conservation / Conservations in zoos
Advantage: chance of survival for some endangered species and plays an
important role in conserving economically valuable genetic resources for forest,
aquatic, and agricultural purposes.
Disadvantage: This is a huge task since some scientists estimate that there are
as many as 10 million different species in the world.