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That goal is admirable, but it could come at the cost of
many important ecosystems that do not fall within hotspots. 2. When identifying hotspots around the world, why 2. When identifying hotspots around the world, why
is it important to simultaneously consider the bio-
Yellowstone National Park, for example, has a relatively low is it important to simultaneously consider the bio-
diversity of different areas and the future human
diversity of species, yet it is one of the few places in the diversity of different areas and the future human
population size in each of these locations?
United States that contains remnant populations of large population size in each of these locations?
mammals, including wolves, grizzly bears, and bison. Does 3. If you had to make a choice between protecting 3. If you had to make a choice between protecting
this mean that places such as Yellowstone National Park biodiversity hotspots and biodiversity coldspots, how
biodiversity hotspots and biodiversity coldspots, how
should receive decreased conservation attention? would you make this decision?
would you make this decision?
Biodiversity coldspots also provide ecosystem services that
humans value at least as much as species diversity. For exam-
ple, wetlands in the United States are incredibly important ® ®
Practice AP Free-Response Question
for flood control, water purification, wildlife habitat, and rec- P r a c t i c e AP F re e -R es p o n s e Q u es t i o n
reation. Many wetlands, however, have relatively low plant Write your answer to each part clearly. Support your
ite y
Wr
our answer to eac
Suppor
.
our
t y
t c
h par
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diversity and, as a result, would not be identified as biodiver- answers with relevant information and examples. Where
answers with relevant information and examples. Where
sity hotspots. It is true that increased species richness leads calculations are required, show your work.
calculations are required, show your work.
to improved ecosystem services, but only as we move from
very low species richness to moderate species richness. Mov- The Florida Reef is the only living coral barrier reef
ving coral bar
r
ier r
eef
The Flor
ida Reef is the only li
ing from moderate species richness to high species richness in the continental United States. Like other coral reefs
in the continental United States. Like other coral reefs
on the planet, Florida Reef is home to many species of
generally does not further improve the functioning of an on the planet, Florida Reef is home to many species of
ecosystem. Since very high species diversity is not expected coral, fish, and other aquatic life forms. Also, like other
coral, fish, and other aquatic life forms. Also, like other
to provide any substantial improvement in ecosystem func- coral reefs, its health is at risk due to a number of human
coral reefs, its health is at risk due to a number of human
tion, protecting more and more species produces diminishing impacts including those associated with global warming.
impacts including those associated with global warming.
returns in terms of protecting ecosystem services. Hence, if However, Conservation International does not list this as
However, Conservation International does not list this as
our primary goal is to preserve the functioning of the eco- a biodiversity hotspot.
a biodiversity hotspot.
systems that improve our lives, we do not necessarily need to (a) Identify two reasons why Florida Reef might
(a) Identify two reasons why Florida Reef might
preserve every species in those ecosystems.
not be internationally recognized as a hotspot.
not be internationally recognized as a hotspot.
(3 pts.)
(3 pts.)

How can we reach a resolution? (b) Describe two ecosystem services provided by
(b) Describe two ecosystem services provided by
Florida Reef. (3 pts.)
During the past two decades, it has become clear that Florida Reef. (3 pts.)
scientists and policy makers need to set priorities for the (c) Researchers recently found that the disturbance
(c) Researchers recently found that the disturbance
conservation of biodiversity. No single criterion may be generated by hurricanes, which cause high winds
generated by hurricanes, which cause high winds
agreed upon by everyone. However, it is important to and damaging waves, is important for maintaining
and damaging waves, is important for maintaining
appreciate the bias of each approach and to consider the the diversity of coral reef ecosystems. While a long
the diversity of coral reef ecosystems. While a long
possible unintended consequences of favoring some geo- period of no hurricanes leads to declining coral
period of no hurricanes leads to declining coral
graphic regions over others. Our investment in conserva- reef diversity, massive hurricanes often put many
reef diversity, massive hurricanes often put many
tion cannot be viewed as an all-or-nothing choice of some coral reef species at risk of local extinction. Make
coral reef species at risk of local extinction. Make
areas over others. Instead, our decisions must consider the a claim to explain this pattern of coral reefs with
a claim to explain this pattern of coral reefs with
costs and benefits of alternative conservation strategies occasional modest hurricanes having the greatest
occasional modest hurricanes having the greatest
and incorporate current and future threats to both spe- diversity. (4 pts.)
diversity. (4 pts.)
cies diversity and ecosystem function. In this way, we can
strike a balance between our desire to preserve Earth’s spe-
cies diversity and our desire to protect the functioning of
Earth’s ecosystems. References
Habel, J. C., et al. 2019. Final countdown for biodiversity hotspots.
Conservation Letters 12:e12668.
Questions Joppa, L. N., et al. 2011. Biodiversity hotspots house most

undiscovered plant species. PNAS 108:13171–13176.
1. If you were in the role of a decision maker, how Kareiva, P., and M. Marvier. 2003. Conserving biodiversity coldspots.
American Scientist 91:344–351.

might you balance your desire to protect biodiversity Myers, N., et al. 2000. Biodiversity hotspots for conservation
around the world with the high cost of preserving priorities. Nature 403:853–858.
biodiversity in any given location? Orme, C. D., et al. 2005. Global hotspots of species richness are not
congruent with endemism or threat. Nature 436:1016–1019.

UNIT 2 ■ Science Applied 2: Concept Explanation 167
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