Chapter 5.2, Problem 1NV

Summary Introduction

To determine:

Definition of the terms background extinction, mass extinction, natural resources, habitat fragmentation, edge effect, biological magnification, eutrophication, introduced species.

Explanation of Solution

Background extinction: It is the normal rate of extinction, which occurs naturally as a part of the evolution process. It is the rate of extinction, which is not forced by any other causes.

Mass extinction: It is defined as a major loss of many species in a very short period of time. This results in a loss of approximately 3/4^th of the entire biodiversity.

Natural resources: It can be defined as the supplies and services, which are provided to different animals by nature. These resources can be utilized by other organisms for survival and humans may also utilize some natural resources for economic benefit.

Habitat fragmentation: It is defined as the division of a large area of habitat into smaller patches resulting in the distribution of the biodiversity into patches.

Edge effect: It is defined as the changes that result in a population due to the mixing of different habitats. This increases the diversity among species.

Biological magnification: It is defined as the accumulation of toxins in the body of an organism, which becomes more concentrated at each trophic level.

Eutrophication: It is defined as a gradual increase in the concentration of minerals and elements such as nitrogen and phosphorus in an old ecosystem.

Introduced species: Introduced species or the invasive species are the organisms, which are nonnative to the habitat. They are present in and compete for the natural resources of native species in the new ecosystem.