they are centers of biodiversity, especially in arid ecosystems

they are one of the easiest ecosystems to manage

they cover vast areas of terrain

they are very quickly eroded

Human activities (overhunting, habitat destruction, greenhouse gases, etc.) are the primary contributing factor in the 6th mass extinction, which was not the case for the other events.

The other mass extinction events were caused by meteors striking earth, while the 6th mass extinction is a result of radical climate change.

The 6th mass extinction was a result of a meteor hitting earth, unlike previous extinction events, which were largely the result of climate change.

The 6th mass extinction is the only extinction event to have occured when dinosaurs were not inhabiting earth.

The 6th mass extinction event is projected to not be as severe in species loss as previous extinction events.

Gamma diversity

Alpha diversity

Beta diversity

Delta diversity

1 in 3

1 in 6

1 in 5

1 in 2

1 in 8

Wetland and riparian ecosystems are vital foraging and breeding grounds for the endangered whooping crane.

Alaska Native American tribes sustain their communities with wild salmon, and the salmon rely on specific river habitats to repopulate.

Many species of hawk rely on trees to spot prey and would be less successful at hunting if there was logging.

Nomads in the Sahara have long relied on scattered oases as a source of food and water for their camel herds.

Ponds are preferred foraging grounds for bull frogs, and if they were developed on, the frogs would need to forage in nearby rivers, which have less available food.

Intermediate Disturbance Hypothesis

Equilibrium Theory

Biodiversity Satiation Theory

Janzen-Connell Hypothesis

1%

10%

25%

50%

Immigration and extinction

Immigration and emigration

Dispersal and reproduction

Predation and population growth

Number, variety, and variability of organisms

Location and number of organisms

Location and genetics of organisms

Number and variety of ecosystems

Number and variety of species