Conservation Biology

Conservation biology

is a goal-oriented science that seeks to

understand and counter the rapid loss of biodiversity.

Extinction

is the irreversible loss of all populations of a species.

Extirpation

is the loss of a single population of a species.

Human alteration of habitats

poses the single greatest threat to

biodiversity

Invasive species

rank second behind habitat

destruction as a threat to biodiversity.

Overexploitation

It is the third major threat

to biodiversity. Overharvesting has

• threatened rare trees

• reduced populations of tigers,

Galápagos tortoises, whales, and

rhinoceroses

• depleted wild populations of game fish

Human Activities

produce diverse pollutants

that may affect ecosystems far from their

source.

Biological magnification

concentrates

industrial wastes and pesticides as they

pass through the food chain.

CO2

is removed from the atmosphere by photosynthesis and stored in

organic molecules such as carbohydrates.