Chapter56:ConservationBiologyandGlobalChange
Intheoverviewatthebeginningofthechapter,theauthorsetsthestageforthisfinalchapterofthe
book.Letsbeginbydefiningconservationbiology.
Conservationbiologyintegratesecology,physiology,molecularbiology,genetics,andevolutionary
biologytoconservebiologicaldiversityatalllevels.
Concept56.1HumanactivitiesthreatenEarthsbiodiversity
1.
Ecologists organize biodiversity on three levels. In the table below, explain the impact of
decreasingdiversityineachdivision.Beforeansweringthisquestion,readtopage1241,where
thetopicchangestothreatstobiodiversity.
Level of Biodiversity
Genetic diversity
Species diversity
Ecosystem diversity
2.
Impact
If one population becomes extinct, then a species may have lost
some of the genetic diversity that makes microevolution possible.
This erosion of genetic diversity in turn reduces the adaptive
potential of the species.
As more species are lost to extinction, species diversity decreases.
Many species that are threatened could potentially provide food,
fibers, and medicines for human use, making biodiversity a crucial
human resource. Additionally, Each loss of a species means the loss
of unique genes, some of which may code for enormously useful
proteins.
There is growing evidence that the functioning of ecosystems, and
hence their capacity to perform services, is linked to biodiversity.
As human activities reduce biodiversity, we are reducing the
capacity of the planets ecosystems to perform processes critical to
our own survival.
3.
Use this table to organize your thoughts on how the following three threats affect biodiversity.
Threat to Biodiversity
Habitat loss
Introduced species
Overexploitation
4.
IntroducedSpecies
1. Browntreesnake
Damage
Sinceitsintroduction,12speciesofbirdsand6speciesoflizardsthat
thesnakesatehavebecomeextinctonGuam,whichhadnonative
snakes.
2. Kudzu
HastakenoverlargeareasoflandscapeinthesouthernUnitedStates.
Climbstothetopofverytalltrees,andblanketsthemandeventually
maykillthem.Aggressivecompetitorforlightandwater.
3. Europeanstarling
QuicklyspreadacrossNorthAmerica,whereitspopulationexceeds100
million,displacingmanynativesongbirds
4. Chestnutblight
DestroyedtheAmericanchestnut,whichwasthedominanttreespecies
ofthetemperateforestsoftheeasternUnitedStates
5. Multiflorarose,
privet,Asian
honeysuckle,
Bradfordpear
Thesearesomeoftheaggressivespeciesthatarecrowdingoutnative
plantsintheeasternUnitedStates.Theyoutcompeteforresources,and
providepoorqualityfoodforspeciesdependingonthenativeplants.
Thestudentshouldbeencouragedtogivelocallyimportantintroduced
species.
Concept56.2Populationconservationfocusesonpopulationsize,geneticdiversity,andcriticalhabitat
5.
Whatdoconservationbiologistswhoadoptthesmallpopulationapproachstudy?
Conservationbiologistswhoadoptthesmallpopulationapproachstudytheprocessesthat
causeextinctionsoncepopulationsizeshavebeenseverelyreduced.
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6.
Explain what an extinction vortex is, and describe one field study that supports this idea.
A small population is vulnerable to inbreeding and genetic drift, which draw the population
down an extinction vortex toward smaller and smaller population size until no individuals
survive.
7.
8.
9.
10.
Scientists drilled nest holes for red-cockaded woodpeckers in an attempt to increase their
population levels. How is this action a response to the declining-population model?
This is a response to the declining-population model because it focused on what factors were
causing the red-cockaded woodpeckers to decline in the first place, the destruction of their
habitat and a lack of breeding cavities.
Concept56.3Landscapeandregionalconservationhelpsustainbiodiversity
11.
12.
13.
The key challenge to the zoned reserve approach is to develop a social and economic climate in
the surrounding lands that is compatible with the long-term viability of the protected core.
Concept56.4Earthischangingrapidlyasaresultofhumanactions
Thissectionlooksathumanimpactonecosystems.
14.
How has agriculture affected nitrogen cycling? What are some negative consequences of
nutrientenrichment?
Agriculturalpracticeshaveincreasedtheamountofnitrogenousmaterialsinthesoil.Afterit
exceedsacriticalload,thismaterialeventuallyleachesintogroundwaterorrunsoffinto
freshwaterandmarineecosystems,contaminatingwatersuppliesandkillingfish.
15.
Explaintheprocessofbiologicalmagnification.Discussatleastoneexample.
Accumulatedtoxinsbecomemoreconcentratedinsuccessivetrophiclevelsofafoodweb.
Thisphenomenonisreferredtoasbiologicalmagnificationanditoccursbecausethebiomass
atanygiventrophiclevelisproducedfromamuchlargerbiomassingestedfromthelevel
below.Forexample,biologicalmagnificationofPCBshasbeenfoundinthefoodwebofthe
GreatLakes,wheretheconcentrationofPCBsinherringgulleggs,atthetopofthefoodweb,
isnearly5,000timesthatinphytoplankton,atthebaseofthefoodweb.
16.
Whatismeantbythegreenhouseeffect?WhatwouldlifeonEarthbelikewithoutthiseffect?
Muchofthesolarradiationthatstrikestheplanetisreflectedbackintospace.AlthoughCO2,
watervapor,andothergreenhousegasesintheatmospherearetransparentinvisiblelight,they
interceptandabsorbmuchoftheinfraredradiationEarthemits,rereflectingsomeofitback
towardEarth.Thisprocessretainssomeofthesolarheat.Withoutthegreenhouseeffect,the
averageairtemperatureatEarthssurfacewouldbeafrigid18C,andlifeasweknowit
wouldnotexist.
17.
Whatiscontributingtothegreatincreaseinatmosphericcarbondioxide?Whatarepotential
effectsofthisincrease?
Fossilfuelburningcouldcontributetothewarmingoftheearth.Anincreaseofonly1.3C
wouldmaketheworldwarmerthanatanytimeinthepast100,000years.Awarmingtrend
wouldalsoalterthegeographicdistributionofprecipitation,likelymakingagriculturalareasof
thecentralUnitedStatesmuchdrier,forexample.
18.
Howisatmosphericozonedepleted?Whatareprojectedeffectsofthisdepletion?
The destruction of atmospheric ozone results primarily from the accumulation of
chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), chemicals once used widely in refrigeration and manufacturing.
Decreased ozone levels in the stratosphere increase the intensity of UV rays reaching Earths
surface. The consequences of ozone depletion for life on Earth may be severe for plants,
animals, and microorganisms. Some scientists expect increases in both lethal and nonlethal
forms of skin cancer and in cataracts among humans, as well as unpredictable effects on crops
and natural communities.
Copyright 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. -4-
Concept56.5Sustainabledevelopmentcanimprovehumanliveswhileconservingbiodiversity
19. Explain the concept behind the phrase sustainable development.
Sustainable development is the concept of economic development that meets the needs of
people today without limiting the ability of future generations to meet their needs.
Test Your Understanding Answers
Nowyoushouldbereadytotestyourknowledge.Placeyouranswershere:
1. d
2 .d 3. e 4. a 5. c 6. a
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