Chapter 60- Biodiversity and Conservation Biology

Biodiversity

the variety of life-forms that exist now and existed in the past

ecosystem services

the benefits that humans receive from healthy ecosystems

biophilia

the idea that humans have a innate connection to nature and other living things and a natural tendency to be in contact with them

conservation biology

the study that uses principles and knowledge from molecular biology, genetics, and ecology to protect and sustain the biological diversity of life

restoration ecology

studies and practices the process of actively repairing damaged or degraded ecosystems through human intervention

lattitude

measurement of a location north of south of the equator. the horizontal lines like rungs of a ladder.

biodiversity hotspot

regions that are biologically diverse and under threat of destruction

IUCN

The International Union for Conservation of Nature

All environmental issues can be ______ including _______.

mitigated or lessened/corrected including climate change

What is biodiversity driven by?

species adaptations to the environment

What things does biodiversity encompass?

1. genetic diversity of a species

2. variety of species in an area

3. variety of ecosystems on a landscape

Biodiversity should be protected because… (3)

• humans depend on other species for food, medicine, and industrial products

• ecosystems provide ecosystem services including clean air and water

• humans have an ethical responsibility to protect biodiversity

E.O. Wilson coined he term ____ to describe what?

biophilia. the connectedness that humans feel to nature. part of something larger than outselves

What is conservation biology?

a branch of ecology that works to preserve biodiversity

What is restoration ecology?

they restore degraded habitats

What do conservation biologists argue for?

creation and maintenance of nature preserves

Both conservation biologists and restoration ecologists use methods to correct_______ and bioremediation to maintain ___________.

habitat fragmentation/ diversity of habitats that species evolved in and are adapted to

What is the IUCN?

a volunteer group of biologists who study populations of species of concern throughout their geographic range and if necessary declare species as threatened, vulnerable, or endangered

When people are motivated to act, ______ can be dramatic.

species recovery

Bald eagles declined dramatically in the lower 48 US states due to…

habitat loss and environmental toxins primarily DDT

What is DDT?

a manmade insecticide with devastating effects on the environment

Bald eagles have recovered to over ______ breeding pairs.

20,000+

Living a sustainable lifestyle lessens humans’ impact on the environment and preserves

habitats and species

the UN 2030 agenda for sustainability encourages nations to…

lower their ecological footprint and improve everyone’s quality of life

the fields of ecology and evolutionary biology are _____.

intertwined

The ______ does the selecting in natural selection

environment

Species are adapted to their __________.

native habitats

Populations of species can adapt during environmental changing if the rate of change is…

slower than the reproductive rate of the species