Conservation Biology

How many species have scientists named and described?

1.8 million

How many species do biologists estimate exist on Earth?

10-100 million

Conservation biology consists of numerous fields, they are?

ecology, physiology, molecular biology, genetics, evolutionary biology

humans are threatening biodiversity mainly due to?

ecosystem degradation

genetic diversity comprises?

genetic variation within a populations

what percentage of 3 groups of species are threatened with extinction?

12% of birds, 21% of mammals, 32% of amphibians

what percentage of U.S. wetlands has been drained?

50%

in the U.S. what percentage of prescription drugs contain substances derived from plants?

25%

ecosystem services encompass what services?

variety of organisms

most species loss can be traced to?

habitat destruction, introduced species, global change

approximately what percentage of coral reefs have been damaged by human activities?

93%

introduced species spread rapidly because?

lack of natural predators or parasites in a new environment

which organisms are especially vulnerable to over-harvesting?

large ones with low reproductive rates (ex. elephants)

The North Atlantic blue fin tuna population declined by what percentage in the past ten years?

80%

acid precipitation contains which two acids?

sulfuric acid and nitric acid

the key factor driving an extinction vortex is?

loss of the genetic diversity (variation)

which grizzly bear population has the lowest genetic variability?

Yellowstone

which country has become a world leader in establishing zoned reserves?

Costa Rica

in what year was the use of DDT banned in the U.S.?

1971

What are the 3 main components of biodiversity?

genetic, species, & ecosystem diversity

What two main approaches do conservation biologists focus on?

small-population & declining population approaches

In the U.S. Pacific Northwest, habitat preservation for many species is in direct conflict with two industries, they are?

timber and mining industry

explain the concept of biodiversity hot spots.

relatively small area with many threatened, & endangered species

destruction of atmospheric ozone (O3) results mainly from which substance?

CFCs (chlorofluorocarbons)

explain the concept of fragmentation and edge ecosystems. give 1 example of an ongoing project that investigates forest fragmentation.

boundaries & edges between ecosystem; Amazon project

Know what the N’s stand for

Nf = females Nm = males

define biophilia

recognizing biodiversity for intrinsic purposes

minimum viable population (MVP)

minimum population at which a species can survive

biomagnifications

concentration of toxins at higher trophic levels

sustainable development

meets present needs without limiting the ability for future needs