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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.

Explain the difference between endangered species and threatened species.

An endangered species is one that is in danger of extinction throughout all or a significant
portion of its range.
A threatened species is one that is considered likely to become endangered in the near future.

3.

Use this table to organize your thoughts on how the following three threats affect biodiversity.

Threat to Biodiversity
Habitat loss

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How It Reduces Biodiversity

When no alternative habitat is available or a species is unable to move,
habitat loss may mean extinction. The IUCN implicates destruction of
physical habitat for 73% of the species that have become extinct,
endangered, vulnerable, or rare in the last few hundred years.
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Introduced species

Overexploitation

4.

Free from the predators, parasites, and pathogens that

limit their
population in their native habitats, such transplanted
species may
spread rapidly through a new region, often disrupting
their new
community by preying on native organisms or
outcompeting them for
resources. Introduced species contribute to
approximately 40% of
extinctions recorded since 1750.
Overharvesting endangers species in restricted
habitats or with slow
reproductive rates, thus decreasing biodiversity.

Listfive introducedspecies thatpresentaseriousthreattotheirnewcommunities.Explainthe

damagedonebyeachintroducedspecies.Includetwointroducedspeciesthatareathreatinyour
ownregionofthecountry.Indicatethesewithanasterisk(*).

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.

Why is genetic variation the key issue in the small-population approach?

Genetic variation is a key issue with the small-population approach because it enables
evolutionary responses to environmental change, such as the appearance of new strains of
pathogens.

8.

On what type of population does the declining-population model focus?

The declining-population model focuses on threatened and endangered populations that show a
downward trend, even if the population is far above its minimum viable population.

9.

What is the emphasis for study in the declining-population model?

The declining-population approach emphasizes the environmental factors that caused a
population decline in the first place. If, for instance, an area is deforested, then species that
depend on trees will decline in abundance and become locally extinct, whether or not they
retain genetic variation.

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.

Describe how the increase in cowbirds is related to forest fragmentation.

Cowbirds need forests, where they can parasite the nests of other birds, and open fields, where
they can forage for insects. Thus, their populations are growing where forests are being cut and
fragmented, creating more edge habitat and open land.

12.

What are potential positive and negative effects of movement corridors?

Movement corridors can promote dispersal and reduce inbreeding in declining populations and
are especially important to species that migrate seasonally. However, a corridor can also be
harmfulfor example, by allowing the spread of disease.

13.

Explain the concept behind a zoned reserve.

A zoned reserve is an extensive region that includes areas relatively undisturbed by humans
surrounded by areas that have been changed by human activity and are used for economic gain.
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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.
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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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