Download FRQ Fragmentation Discuss how habitat fragmentation can impact

FRQ Fragmentation
A. Discuss how habitat fragmentation can impact the genetic diversity of a species. (4 points)
a. Limits gene interchange through a population
b. Lead to inbreeding
c. Increased susceptibility to disease
B. Cite and explain two human activities that have led to habitat fragmentation. (4 points)
a. Development of roads, highways canals, and irrigation ditches through ecosystems
b. Alteration of the path of a river
c. Creation of parks and other man-made ecosystems
d. Land converted for agriculture
e. Deforestation
f. Timber harvesting
g. Building suburban subdivisions
h. Building dams and reservoirs
C. Explain three ways fragmentation of habitats can lead to the loss of biodiversity. (6 points)
a. Reduction of population immigration and emigration reduces gene flow.
b. A decrease in the number of available mates reduces reproduction rates which leads to
decreasing numbers in the population, lowering genetic diversity and relative
abundance.
c. Species may be cut off from needed resources in other parts of the historic range.
d. Decrease in range for animals that require a large range.
e. Barriers to migration are created for migratory species.
f. There is an increase in disease and parasites at the edges of habitats.
D. Discuss two solutions to reduce habitat fragmentation as our global human population
increases. (4 points)
a. Converting agricultural land back to natural habitat.
b. Protection of large pieces of land through minimal use guidelines.
c. Protection of large pieces of land through establishment of parks and reserves.
d. Use of land trusts to protect pieces of land or connecting pieces of land.
e. Creation of biosphere reserves, incorporating areas of complete biodiversity
preservation with sustainable and limited land use.
f. The use of corridors for migrating species, for species to find mates, to increase genetic
diversity or to find seasonal food sources.
E. Explain what is meant by the reference to the “canary in a coal mine.” Relate this to the
research that shows habitat fragmentation had reduced the biodiversity of rattlesnakes in
Phoenix, Arizona (2 points)
a. Historically, mine workers carried canaries with them into subsurface coal mines. If the
canary died, it meant there was a problem with air quality, singaling the workers to
leave the mine. In examining the genetic diversity of rattlesnakes due to habitat
fragmentation, if their diversity is being reduced, then it is likely that the genetic
diversity of other organisms maybe reduced due to the fragmentation as well.