1. Ch 55 – Conservation Biology

2. Focus on loss of biodiversity, due to human activities Increased rates of extinction

3. Biodiversity 3 main levels: 1) Genetic diversity 2) Species diversity 3) Ecosystem diversity

4. Human impact Habitat Destruction: 90% of world’s plant activity takes place where people play a significant role 38% of earth’s ice-free land has been been cultivated for farming Destroyed original forests in N. America & Europe, deforestation of tropical rainforests Use of fossil fuels has warmed atmosphere Pollution affects oceans

5. Human impact Overexploitation – Overfishing – California Sardines – harvested to brink of extinction in early 1900’s – Collapse of orange roughy, Chilean sea bass, blue fin tuna populations Estimated that overfishing has reduced large fish populations to 10% of pre-industrial population

6. Introduced species – Kudzu in South -introduced for erosion control

7. - Burmese python in Florida – exotic pets, now established in Everglades

8. - Asian carp in Great Lakes Aggressive, out compete native fish

9. Bioaccumulation Accumulation of substances (i.e. toxins, pesticides) in an organism We are surrounded by chemicals: In personal products, furniture, food, etc. i.e. Phthalates – shampoo, soap, lotion – Can cause reproductive disorders

10. Biomagnification Poisoning of small consumers can be passed along the food chain to affect the consumers later on.