Lecture 8 Flashcards
What is conservation biology?
An applied science that focuses on protecting the Earth’s biodiversity and maintaining natural ecosystems.
What are scientists who work in conservation biology devoted to?
Analyzing and reducing the human impact on every aspect of our environment.
What percent of mammals are at risk of extinction?
30%
What is the multifaceted approach required to conservation biology?
- Preserving current ecosystems
2.Identifying reasons behind decomposition - Restoring ideal conditions
Why does pollution from agriculture and algal blooms occur?
Because nutrients and contaminants from fertilizer and animal waste do not remain stationary they get carried with runoff into water.
When do dead zones occur in the Gulf Coast?
Every year in late summer or early fall (August/September).
when did algal blooms start to be documented?
The 1700s.
Why are algal blooms an issue?
They have major economic and health impacts.
What is phytoplankton?
Organisms that photosynthesize, but are not plants. Examples are diatoms, dinoflagellates, algae, and cyanobacteria.
What does phyto mean?
Plant.
What do phytoplankton do?
Transfer atmospheric carbon into organic carbon.
What can the carbon brought into the ocean by phytoplankton be used for?
To make calcium carbonate to make shells, corals, and skeletons.
What factors cause Red Tide?
- Sunlight - phytoplankton can only live in the first 200 m below the surface
- Nutrients - from decomposition of bacteria, polluted runoff, and atmosphere
- Temperate - higher temps increase metabolic processes and growth
Why do phytoplankton cause fish to die?
- They produce Brevotoxins which are neurotoxins that disrupt animal’s nervous systems
- They reduce the oxygen in the water
What is biomagnification?
When toxins increase in concentration through the food chain.
What is bioaccumulation?
An increase in the concentration of substances in certain tissues due to absorption of food.
What is bioconcentration?
When the uptake of toxins through respirations is greater than the excretion.
What is the goal of conservation?
Ensure the long-term preservation of biodiversity.
What are the three aims of conservation?
- Investigate biodiversity
- Document biodiversity
- Develop and access practical approaches to protect and restore biological communities, maintain genetic diversity, and prevent extinction
What is the biodiversity crisis?
The idea that it is occurring at a faster rate.
What information is included in the Red List?
- Range
- Population size
- Habitat
- Ecology
- Use and or trade
- Threats
- Conservation actions