Question

rhinoceroses are being poached at a rate of two or three a week in africa and asia. which type of diversity is being lost as the population of rhinoceroses becomes very small?
○ species diversity
○ genetic diversity
○ ecosystem diversity
○ fragmented diversity

Explanation:

1. Recall the definitions of each diversity type:

• Species diversity refers to the variety of different species in an area.
• Genetic diversity is the variation of genes within a species. When a population becomes very small, the number of different gene combinations (due to fewer individuals) decreases, so genetic diversity is lost.
• Ecosystem diversity is the variety of ecosystems in a region.
• "Fragmented diversity" is not a standard biodiversity term.

1. Analyze the situation: The rhinoceros population is shrinking. A small population has fewer genetic variations (since there are fewer individuals with different gene sets) compared to a larger population. So as the rhino population becomes very small, genetic diversity is lost.

Answer:

B. genetic diversity