Table of contents

1. Introduction to Biology2h 42m
2. Chemistry3h 37m
3. Water1h 26m
4. Biomolecules2h 23m
5. Cell Components2h 26m
6. The Membrane2h 31m
7. Energy and Metabolism2h 0m
8. Respiration2h 40m
9. Photosynthesis2h 49m
10. Cell Signaling59m
11. Cell Division2h 47m
12. Meiosis2h 0m
13. Mendelian Genetics4h 44m
14. DNA Synthesis2h 27m
15. Gene Expression3h 6m
16. Regulation of Expression3h 31m
17. Viruses37m
- Viruses
  37m
18. Biotechnology2h 58m
19. Genomics17m
- Genomes
  17m
20. Development1h 5m
21. Evolution3h 1m
22. Evolution of Populations3h 53m
23. Speciation1h 37m
24. History of Life on Earth2h 6m
25. Phylogeny2h 31m
26. Prokaryotes4h 59m
27. Protists1h 12m
28. Plants1h 22m
29. Fungi36m
- Fungi
  19m
- Fungi Reproduction
  17m
30. Overview of Animals34m
- Overview of Animals
  34m
31. Invertebrates1h 2m
32. Vertebrates50m
33. Plant Anatomy1h 3m
34. Vascular Plant Transport1h 2m
- Water Potential
  1h 2m
35. Soil37m
- Soil and Nutrients
  20m
- Nitrogen Fixation
  16m
36. Plant Reproduction47m
- Flowers
  33m
- Seeds
  14m
37. Plant Sensation and Response1h 9m
38. Animal Form and Function1h 19m
39. Digestive System1h 10m
- Digestion
  1h 3m
- Blood Sugar Homeostasis
  7m
40. Circulatory System1h 49m
41. Immune System1h 12m
42. Osmoregulation and Excretion50m
- Osmoregulation and Excretion
  50m
43. Endocrine System1h 4m
- Endocrine System
  1h 4m
44. Animal Reproduction1h 2m
- Animal Reproduction
  1h 2m
45. Nervous System1h 55m
- Neurons and Action Potentials
  1h 8m
- Central and Peripheral Nervous System
  46m
46. Sensory Systems46m
- Sensory System
  46m
47. Muscle Systems23m
- Musculoskeletal System
  23m
48. Ecology3h 11m
49. Animal Behavior28m
- Animal Behavior
  28m
50. Population Ecology3h 41m
51. Community Ecology2h 46m
52. Ecosystems2h 36m
53. Conservation Biology24m
- Conservation Biology
  24m

53. Conservation Biology

Conservation Biology

General Biology

53. Conservation Biology

Conservation Biology

Previous problemNext problem

1:50 minutes

Problem 3

Textbook Question

Which of the following currently poses the single greatest threat to biodiversity?
a. Invasive species
b. Overhunting
c. Habitat loss
d. Pollution

Verified step by step guidance

Understand the concept of biodiversity: Biodiversity refers to the variety of life in all its forms, including species diversity, genetic diversity, and ecosystem diversity. It is essential for ecosystem stability and human well-being.

Analyze the options provided: Each option represents a factor that can negatively impact biodiversity. Consider how each factor affects ecosystems and species populations.

Evaluate the impact of invasive species: Invasive species can outcompete native species for resources, disrupt ecosystems, and lead to the decline or extinction of native species.

Evaluate the impact of overhunting: Overhunting can lead to population declines and extinction of species, particularly those that are already vulnerable or have slow reproductive rates.

Evaluate the impact of habitat loss: Habitat loss, often caused by deforestation, urbanization, and agriculture, is widely recognized as the most significant driver of biodiversity loss because it directly removes the living space and resources species need to survive.

Verified video answer for a similar problem:

This video solution was recommended by our tutors as helpful for the problem above

Video duration:

Play a video:

Was this helpful?

Key Concepts

Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.

Biodiversity

Biodiversity refers to the variety of life forms on Earth, encompassing the diversity of species, ecosystems, and genetic variations within species. It is crucial for ecosystem resilience, providing essential services such as pollination, nutrient cycling, and climate regulation. A decline in biodiversity can disrupt these services, leading to ecological imbalances and reduced quality of life for all organisms, including humans.

Habitat Loss

Habitat loss occurs when natural environments are altered or destroyed, often due to human activities such as urban development, agriculture, and deforestation. This loss is a primary driver of species extinction, as organisms lose their homes and resources necessary for survival. The fragmentation of habitats can also isolate populations, making it difficult for species to reproduce and adapt to changing conditions.

Invasive Species

Invasive species are non-native organisms that, when introduced to a new environment, can outcompete, prey on, or bring diseases to native species. They often disrupt local ecosystems, leading to declines in biodiversity. The introduction of invasive species can be accidental or intentional, and their impact can be profound, as they may alter habitat structures and nutrient cycles, further threatening native biodiversity.

Watch next

Master Conservation Biology and Biodiversity with a bite sized video explanation from Jason

Start learning

Related Videos

Related Practice

Textbook Question

A mass extinction

a. Is global in scale

b. Affects many different groups of organisms

c. Is caused only by human activity

d. A and B are correct

e. A, B, and C are correct

916

views

Textbook Question

An ecological footprint

a. Is the position an individual holds in the ecological food chain

b. Estimates the total land area required to support a particular person or human population

c. Is equal to the size of a human population

d. Helps determine the most appropriate wastewater treatment plan for a community

e. Is often smaller than the actual land footprint of residences in a city

1136

views

Textbook Question

What is the single greatest threat to biodiversity?

a. Overharvesting of commercially important species

b. Habitat alteration, fragmentation, and destruction

c. Introduced species that compete with native species

d. Novel pathogens

1148

views

Textbook Question

The discipline that applies ecological principles to returning degraded ecosystems to a more natural state is known as

a. Restoration ecology

b. Thermodynamics

c. Eutrophication

d. Biogeochemistry

1058

views

Textbook Question

What is a biodiversity "hotspot"?

a. An area where an all-taxon survey is under way

b. An area where an environmental sequencing study has been completed

c. A habitat with high NPP

d. An area with high species richness and high threat to those species

1126

views

Textbook Question

The burning of fossil fuels ________.

a. Releases carbon dioxide to the atmosphere.

b. Primarily occurs as a result of human activity.

c. Is contributing to global warming.

d. Is possible thanks to photosynthesis that occurred millions of years ago.

e. All of the above are correct.

2171

views

Textbook Question

Current rates of species extinction appear to be approximately

a. Equal to

b. 10 times lower than

c. 10 times higher than

d. 50 to 100 times higher than

e. 1000 to 10,000 times higher than

1506

views

Textbook Question

Which of the following is characteristic of endemic species?

a. They are often found in biodiversity hot spots.

b. They are distributed widely in the biosphere.

c. They require edges between ecosystems.

d. They are often keystone species whose presence helps to structure a community.

1284

views

Show more practices

Download the Mobile app

Privacy

Do not sell my personal information

Accessibility

Patent notice

Sitemap

Which of the following currently poses the single greatest threat to biodiversity?a. Invasive species b. Overhunting c. Habitat loss d. Pollution

Key Concepts

Biodiversity

Habitat Loss

Invasive Species

Watch next

Which of the following currently poses the single greatest threat to biodiversity?
a. Invasive species
b. Overhunting
c. Habitat loss
d. Pollution