Lecture 6: Biodiversity and Conservation Biology

Distinguish the four different ways to measure biodiversity.

1. Genetic diversity

2. Species diversity

3. Ecosystem diversity

4. Functional diversity

Define an endemic species.

A native plant or animal that found no where else on earth. (e.g the flowers of Hawaii)

List the types of ecosystem services that biodiversity provides.

1. Provisioning (food, water, medicine)

2. Regulating (climate control, pollination, water purification)

3. Cultural (recreation, education)

4. Supporting (photosynthesis, soil formation)

Describe how Yuan Longping used heterosis to improve rice yields.

He used it to cross genetically distinct parents to create the first-generation hybrids with significantly higher yields

Explain how David Tilman and colleagues demonstrated the value of biodiversity in agricultural systems.

Describe the evidence supporting the claim that an asteroid impact caused a the mass extinction event, marking the end of the Cretaceous period.

The Mexican crater and the global iridium layer

Indicate the terrestrial regions with the highest diversity of bird, mammal and amphibian species

Tropical rainforests in the Amazon, Congo Basin, and Southeast Asia

Discuss the documented impacts of overfishing, and the potential solutions for rectifying this problem.

Depletes fish stocks and disturbs food webs

Describe the problem with introduced (non-native) species.

They disrupt ecosystems, harm native wildlife, damage ecosystems while going unchecked because they have no predators

Distinguish the four types of pollution.

1. Air

2. Water

3. Land (soil)

4. Noise

Indicate the consequences of habitat fragmentation.

Deacreased biodiversity and gene drift/founder effect

Describe the insights that island biogeography offers into the dangers of habitat fragmentation.

High extinction rates, low immigration rates, genetic problems

What is the evidence that corridors are an effective strategy?

increased movement, gene diversity/flow, higher species richness

Distinguish the three types of species conservation: in-situ, ex-situ and in-vitro.

in-situ: protects species in their natural habitat

ex-situ: protects species in artificial habitats

in-vitro: lab techniques to preserve genetic material

Define biodiversity hotspots.

areas with high biodiversity and unique species that are at risk of habitat loss