(a) Maintaining high global biodiversity is important to provide ecosystem services to humans. Describe one cultural ecosystem service provided by diverse ecosystems.

-Green spaces provide a place for recreation/walking/playing sports.
-An intact ecosystem provides places to maintain mental/physical health and well-being.
Ecosystems and biodiversity are important for many types of tourism/ecotourism
-Cultural and ecotourism provide education about the importance of biodiversity.
-Aesthetic appreciation/inspiration for art, culture, science, and/or design.
-Diverse ecosystems can provide spiritual experience/sense of place/are considered sacred or have religious meaning.
-Nature can be associated with customs/traditional knowledge in some cultures to create a sense of belonging/sense of purpose.

(b)(i) Based on the data in the graph, identify the average growth rate of Kudzu at 20°C

The response identifies the average growth rate of kudzu at 20°C as 1.8 mm/hour

(b)(ii) Based on the data in the graph, describe the relationship between temperature and growth rate for Kudzu.

-The growth rate for kudzu increases steadily from 5°C to 30°C and decreases from 30°C to 40°C.
-The ideal temperature range for kudzu is between 20°C and 40°C because the average growth rate and the maximum growth rate are both highest within this range.
-Kudzu grows between 5°C and 40°C with maximum growth rates near 30°C.

(b)(iii) Kudzu was first introduced in the United States in Philadelphia but has spread throughout parts of the United States. Using the data in the table and in the graph, explain how kudzu has successfully invaded parts of the United States.

-Kudzu is well suited to warm climates and is found in all counties in North Carolina, Georgia, and Alabama. It is most successful in the southeast because it can outcompete native species in the warm climate, where it has its maximum growth rates
-Kudzu is well suited to the southeastern United States/North Carolina, Georgia, and Alabama because of the warm temperatures and ample sunlight, which allow the invasive species to grow rapidly because these are ideal conditions for the plant.
-Much of the southeastern United States has soils with low fertility, but because kudzu can fix its own nitrogen, it was able to outcompete native species and invade the area.

(c)(i) Propose a potential solution, other than physically removing the carp from the rivers, to manage the problem of the invasive silver carp in the United States.

-Use of biological controls (natural enemies/predators) to reduce size of carp populations in waterways where they already exist.
-Use preventative measures to reduce the spread of the invasive species (quarantine regulation, inspections, physical barriers)
-Advocate for funding for building infrastructure/implement projects to keep silver carp out of the Great Lakes
-Use chemical controls/poisons to kill silver carp in waterways where they already exist.

(c)(ii) Describe one disadvantage or unintended consequence that could result from a solution aimed to control the silver carp populations in the United States.

-High cost/expense for control measures or preventative measures that would need to be funded by taxpayers or private organizations.
-Control measures could damage or destroy native organisms/native habitat.
-Introduced predators could eat native species/disrupt the existing food web.
-The excess algae the silver carp were introduced to control could return.

(d) Identify a major threat to biodiversity, other than invasive species.

-Habitat destruction
-Population Growth
-Pollution
-Climate Change
-Overexploitation of resources

(e)(i) Some species are more vulnerable to extinction than others. Describe one characteristic of a species that would make it more vulnerable to extinction than others.

-The species is attractive to humans as a food source/pet/ornamental plant, etc.
-The species is a K-selected species (or has any characteristics of a K-selected species)
-The species has low genetic diversity
-The species has a low intrinsic growth rate
-The species is a specialist species

(e)(ii) Describe an environmental problem that can result in an ecosystem after a species extinction.

-The food chains/webs of an ecosystem can be disrupted or collapse.
-A trophic cascade can occur where one trophic level is suppressed leading to a dramatic change in ecosystem structure/nutrient cycling/predator-prey relationships
-If the species is a keystone species, the entire ecosystem can collapse or change dramatically.
-The unique genetic information of the species is lost.

(e)(iii) Many ecologists argue that establishing large preserves is the single best strategy for preventing an endangered species from becoming extinct. Justify this strategy by explaining an additional benefit, other than preventing the endangered species from becoming extinct.

-Protects overall high biodiversity in the area by protecting other species as well as the threatened/endangered species.
-In a terrestrial preserve, the habitat protects water quality by protecting vegetation in the preserve, which reduces erosion and filters impurities from runoff.
-In a terrestrial preserve, vegetation can sequester carbon which reduces the levels of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.
-In an aquatic preserve, protecting marine breeding grounds of commercial species can benefit the fishing industry.