What is the value, to a species, of having genetic diversity?
What will be an ideal response?
Species with more genetic diversity have better chances of surviving, because their built-in variation better enables them to cope with environmental change. According to the principles of evolutionary biology, species with little genetic diversity are vulnerable to environmental change for which they are not genetically prepared. Species with depressed genetic diversity may also be more vulnerable to disease and may suffer the effects of inbreeding, which occurs when parents that are too genetically similar mate and produce weak or defective offspring. Genetic diversity in our crop plants is important for protection of our food sources.
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Political ecologists emphasize
A) the impact of political and economic forces on local cultures and resource use. B) traditional groups' involvement in the political process. C) environmental and resource policy. D) environmental ethics and the ethics of resource use. E) the impact of globalization on resource trade.
What part of American history makes it difficult for us to suggest halting deforestation in the tropical rain forest? How did deforestation proceed in the United States? Why is deforestation there different than it was here?
What will be an ideal response?
A billion people or fifteen percent of the world's population rely on fish as their primary source of protein
Indicate whether the statement is true or false
How does the latent heat of evaporation (and its equivalent, the latent heat of condensation) moderate climate?
a) It retards the formation of ice, keeping the oceans warmer. b) By absorbing energy on evaporation and releasing it on condensation, it keeps water cool when the air is hot and warm when the air is cool. c) The endothermic reaction does not allow salt to build up past a certain concentration. d) The latent heat helps generate winds, which help keep the oceans cool when the air is hot. e) It gives water a higher heat capacity, which allows it to stay cool when the air is warm and warm when the air is cool.