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Question 1

see powerpoint

Answer 1

=15 minutes late

Question 2

Three levels of biodiversity?

Answer 2

1. genetic
2. species
3. Ecosystem

Question 3

Components of Genetic Diversity

Answer 3

• Range from few (viruses) to hundreds (bacteria) to thousands (humans)
• Genetic diversity is constantly arising (mutation & recombination)
• Essential for evolution
• Often indicates “health” of speices

Question 4

Status of Genetic Diversity

Answer 4

• greatest loss of G.D. occurs when species becomes extinct
• Also lost as populations decline or become extirpated (locally extinct)
• selective breeding & cultivating plants, animals =loss of G.D.

Question 5

Components of Species Diversity

Answer 5

• this number is species in specified area
• Species often viewed as the “fundamental” units of bio.
• Conservation bio is species-focused (Endangered Species Act)

Question 6

Status of Species Diversity

Answer 6

• about 1.8 million described species, probable&raquo_space;10 million!
• Background extinction rate: increasing

Question 7

Extinction Rates

Answer 7

• Mass extinction (5 times in 3.8 bill years)
• Estimates for current rate:
• 1 species per hour, 10,000 species per year, 1 mil. species total so far, 10% of all species so far, 100 to 10,000 times the background rate

Question 8

Components of Ecosystem Diversity

Answer 8

• Includes all organisms, all components of the abiotic env. w/ its boundaries
• biodiversity is not spread evenly

Question 9

What are “ecoregions?”

Answer 9

ecosystem patterns determined by climate, geology & evolutionary history of the planet;
large areas with key communities, ecological characteristics with unique species

Question 10

Status of Ecosystem

Answer 10

see pp

Question 11

How many terrestrial ecoregions are there?

Answer 11

867

Question 12

Conservation goals in relation to genes

Answer 12

-maintain genetic variations

see slideshow

Question 13

Conservation goals in relation to species

Answer 13

• maintain viable populations of native species in natural patterns of abundance & distribution
• prevent extinction & extirpation

Question 14

Conservation goals in relation to communities

Answer 14

• maintain the richness, composition & relative abundance of native species in natural comm.
• prevent homogenized communities

Question 15

Conservation goals in relation to ecosystems

Answer 15

• Maintain natural ecosystem patterns

- prevent replacement & fragmentation of natural ecosystems by artificial ecosystems

Question 16

Emergence of biodiversity (3 reasons)

Answer 16

1. Concern (BIodiv. being lost)
2. Frustration (inability of traditional natural resource management)
3. Enthusiasm (new scientific advantages provide guidance)

Question 17

Concern

Answer 17

• Extinction because of human overkill

- see slideshow

Question 18

Living Planet index

Answer 18

• compiled by World Wildlife Fund, Un Environment Program & IUCN since 1970
• reflects health of species & ecosystem
• tracks performance
• LPI has decline 30% globally

Question 19

Frustration

Answer 19

• dominant conservation fields (soils, wildlife, fisheries) become more narrowly focused
• no holistic approach or common goal
• traditional managements actually contribute to loss of diversity

Question 20

Enthusiasm

Answer 20

• now guiding principles & enabling technologies
• population genetics, pop. biology, comm/ecosystem ecology, social sciences/ sustainable development
• Need best tools for task, new approaches

Question 21

Relationship between traditional wildlife management & conservation biology

Answer 21

• growing relationship
• more enthusiasm among younger wildlife managers
• Conservation bio has had big impact

Question 22

Has Conservation bio made a difference? examples

Answer 22

• Yes
• increased knowledge of loss of biodiv.
• conservation bio now respected field
• maintaining biodiv. is overall theme for wildlife managers

Question 23

List central challenges of …

Answer 23

see powerpoint