Conservation Biology Chapter 1

Flashcards covering key vocabulary and concepts from the Conservation Biology lecture notes.

Conservation Biology

An integrated, multidisciplinary, scientific field developed to preserve species and ecosystems.

Goals of Conservation Biology

1. Document the full range of biological diversity on Earth. 2. Investigate human impact on species, genetic variation, and ecosystems. 3. Develop practical approaches to prevent extinction, maintain genetic diversity, and protect/restore biological communities.

Rising material consumption

Leads to the depletion of natural resources.

Sources of products made out of coal/diamond

radioactive dating (Carbon-14), production of steel, pencils, medicines (e.g., charcoal tablets), products made out of diamond (drill bit, jewelery), food additives (E153)

Products made out of petroleum

Engine propellant, vaseline (can be used for candles, skin creams, deodorants, soaps and for other cosmetic products), paraffin wax (can be used for water-repellent materials), paraffin oil (can be used for lubricants of engines), bitumen (can be used for building roads)

Uses of game

Meat, trophy, fur, etc.

Areas for conversion of natural habitats

Rising cities, intensive agriculture, huge factories, intensive forestry, mining, housing development

Roots of Conservation Biology

Spirituality/religion/philosophy: Nature is the place of intensive spiritual experience in Taoism, Shintoism, Hinduism, Buddhism >> it deserves our protection and respect.

Ethical principles in Conservation Biology

Diversity of organisms is good. Extinction of species and populations is bad. Ecological complexity is good. Evolution is good. Biological diversity has real intrinsic value.

Triple mission of Conservation Biology

Reveal (understand the reason of a problem), Conservation (know the values of nature to preserve them), Restoration (maintain a healthy network of habitats by renewing/restoring degraded habitats)

Causes of increased human population which poses threat to biological diversity

Increased human population leads to higher material consumption, habitat conversion due to human activities, and the spread of invasive species and diseases through travel and trade, all threatening biological diversity.