2.6.2ESS SL15 flashcards

Habitat destruction & fragmentation

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Card 1 of 152.6.2

Question

Define habitat destruction.

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All 15 Flashcards — Habitat destruction & fragmentation

Card 1definition

Question

Define habitat destruction.

Answer

Habitat destruction is the removal or severe damage of a habitat so it can no longer support its original species.

💡 Hint

Removal/damage so habitat cannot support original species

Card 2concept

Question

Distinguish between habitat destruction and fragmentation.

Answer

Destruction removes the habitat completely or makes it unusable. Fragmentation splits habitat into smaller, isolated patches.

💡 Hint

Destruction = remove; Fragmentation = split

Card 3definition

Question

Define habitat fragmentation.

Answer

Habitat fragmentation is when one large habitat is broken into smaller, isolated patches. The habitat still exists, but populations become separated.

💡 Hint

Large habitat split into isolated patches

Card 4concept

Question

State one consequence of fragmentation for populations.

Answer

Fragmentation creates smaller, isolated populations, increasing extinction risk and making it harder to find mates.

💡 Hint

Small + isolated populations

Card 5concept

Question

State one cause of habitat destruction.

Answer

Examples include deforestation for agriculture, draining wetlands for development, and clearing grassland for crops.

💡 Hint

Name one cause: deforestation, draining wetlands, clearing grassland

Card 6concept

Question

State two edge effects.

Answer

Edges are often hotter and windier (and can be drier), and may have more predators or invasive species.

💡 Hint

Hotter/windier + more predators/invasives

Card 7concept

Question

Explain why fragmentation can reduce genetic diversity.

Answer

Isolation reduces gene flow. Smaller populations are more likely to inbreed, lowering genetic diversity and adaptability.

💡 Hint

Less gene flow → more inbreeding → lower diversity

Card 8concept

Question

Explain how habitat destruction affects food webs.

Answer

It removes producers and habitat, so less energy enters the food web and fewer consumers can be supported, reducing stability.

💡 Hint

Removes producers → less energy entry → fewer consumers

Card 9concept

Question

State why fragmentation increases extinction risk.

Answer

Smaller, isolated populations have fewer mates, lower gene flow, and are more vulnerable to random events.

💡 Hint

Small + isolated = vulnerable

Card 10concept

Question

State two biodiversity impacts of habitat destruction.

Answer

It reduces species richness and can cause local extinctions as populations lose space, food, and shelter.

💡 Hint

Less habitat → fewer species + higher extinction risk

Card 11concept

Question

State one way to reduce edge effects in reserves.

Answer

Use buffer zones or increase reserve size to reduce the proportion of habitat near edges.

💡 Hint

Bigger area + buffers = fewer edges

Card 12definition

Question

Define edge effects and give one example.

Answer

Edge effects are changes at habitat boundaries, such as higher temperature and wind, lower humidity, and more predators or invasive species.

💡 Hint

Edges are hotter/drier/windier + more predators/invasives

Card 13concept

Question

State one solution to habitat fragmentation.

Answer

Wildlife corridors connect isolated patches, allowing movement, gene flow, and breeding between populations.

💡 Hint

Wildlife corridors reconnect patches

Card 14concept

Question

Give a named example of habitat destruction.

Answer

Amazon rainforest cleared for cattle ranching removes habitat for many species and reduces ecosystem resilience.

💡 Hint

Named example: Amazon cleared for cattle ranching

Card 15concept

Question

State the key linking phrase for fragmentation questions.

Answer

Fragmentation reduces gene flow and increases edge effects, which lowers population viability and biodiversity.

💡 Hint

Gene flow down + edge effects up

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