Section 16.4 Threats to Biodiversity KEY CONCEPT The impact of a growing human population threatens biodiversity. Preserving biodiversity is important to the future of the biosphere. • The loss of biodiversity has long-term effects. – loss of medical and technological advances – extinction of species – loss of ecosystem stability Loss of habitat eliminates species. • Habitat fragmentation prevents an organism from accessing its entire home range. – occurs when a barrier forms within the habitat – often caused by human development Loss of habitat eliminates species. • Habitat corridors are a solution to the problem. – corridors can be road overpasses or underpasses – allow species to move between different areas of habitat Introduced species can disrupt stable relationships in an ecosystem. • An introduced species is one that is brought to an ecosystem by humans. – accidental – purposeful • Invasive species can have an environmental and economic impact. Introduced species can disrupt stable relationships in an ecosystem. • Invasive species often push out native species. – Burmese python (Florida Everglades) Introduced species can disrupt stable relationships in an ecosystem. • Invasive species often push out native species. – mice (Australia) Introduced species can disrupt stable relationships in an ecosystem. • Invasive species often push out native species. – kudzu (southeastern United States) Section 19.1 Diversity of Protists KEY CONCEPT Kingdom Protista is the most diverse of all the kingdoms. Protists can be animal-like, plantlike, or fungus-like. • Protists are eukaryotes that are not animals, plants, or fungi. Protists can be animal-like, plantlike, or fungus-like. • Animal-like protists consume other organisms. – heterotrophs – single-celled Protists can be animal-like, plantlike, or fungus-like. • An amoeba is an animal-like protist that feeds by engulfing food. Protists can be animal-like, plantlike, or fungus-like. • A paramecium is an animal-like protist that has no cell wall. Protists can be animal-like, plantlike, or fungus-like. • Plant-like protists are photosynthetic. – single-celled, colonial, or multicellular – no roots, stems, or leaves Protists can be animal-like, plantlike, or fungus-like. • A euglena has both animal-like structures—such as an eyespot, contractile vacuoles, and flagella—and plantlike structures, such as chloroplasts. Protists can be animal-like, plantlike, or fungus-like. • Fungus-like protists decompose dead organisms. – heterotrophs – can move, whereas fungi cannot Protists can be animal-like, plantlike, or fungus-like. • A slime-mold is a fungus-like protist. Protists are difficult to classify. • Protista is one kingdom in the domain Eukarya. Protists are difficult to classify. • Protist classification will likely change. – Some protists are not closely related. – Molecular evidence supports reclassification. Section 19.6 Ecology of Fungi KEY CONCEPT Fungi recycle nutrients in the environment. Fungi may be decomposers, pathogens, or mutualists. • Fungi and bacteria are the main decomposers in any ecosystem. – decompose dead leaves, twigs, logs, and animals – return nutrients to the soil – can damage fruit trees and wooden structures Fungi may be decomposers, pathogens, or mutualists. • Fungi can act as pathogens. – human diseases include ringworm and athlete’s foot – plant diseases include Dutch elm disease Fungi may be decomposers, pathogens, or mutualists. • Fungi can act as mutualists. – lichens form between fungi and algae – mycorrhizae form between fungi and plants Fungi may be decomposers, pathogens, or mutualists. • Fungi can act as mutualists. – relationships form between fungi and some insects Fungi are studied for many purposes. • Fungi are useful in several ways. – as food – as antibiotics – as model systems for molecular biology
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