This paper discusses issues related to conservation biology and ecology. The job of conservation biologists is to study the issue of species diversity and ecosystem. They are also responsible for trying to prevent species from becoming extinct and preventing habitats from being destroyed through human endeavor such as agriculture.
Conservation Biology
Explain what conservation biology is and highlight its goals.
Conservation biology is a branch of biological sciences which is primarily concerned with the preservation of life on earth including organisms which are classified as plants and animals. It examines biodiversity and ways and means in which the biodiversity of life on Earth can best be sustained (Sahney 2008,-page 759). This branch of biological study began as a reaction to the growing concern over extinction of species and disruption of habitats because of natural disasters and/or the actions and behaviors of human beings and industrialization. Interactions between species, particularly the interaction between humans and native populations is of particular interest to conservation biologists, particularly in terms of negative effects of human interaction.
The goals of conversation biologists are to protect various species as well as their habitats and ecosystems. They also want to prevent the extinction of species and eradication of natural habitats by agriculture or industry. When a species becomes endangered or threatened to the point where they are at-risk of becoming an endangered species, then the conservation biologists step in and try to save the species from extinction. There are currently more than 16,000 species which have been classified as threatened by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) (Swaisgood 2012). This is a substantial amount of species to monitor. Conservation biologists have also been instrumental in the reintroduction of species into areas in which they had once flourished but had their numbers significantly reduced. The intention is to reestablish the ecosystem as it once was and thereby reinstate the equilibrium between species in these regions.
5. Discuss value of biodiversity to humans and list 4 factors that threaten species persistence.
Some people do not understand the value of biodiversity, but it is actually intricately connected to human beings and the continued existence of humans on the planet. They do not realize that human beings are completely dependent on the continued presence of other organisms in order to survive. Biodiversity is linked to cultural, economic, and environmental health of people, as well as the survivability of other organisms as well (Fujikawa 2010). Each member of an ecosystem impacts the lives of all other organisms within that ecosystem. Bacteria, for example, are necessary for breaking down dead material such as dead plants or dead animals and imparting nutrients like carbon and nitrogen back into the soil. Plants then absorb the nutrients within that soil which helps them grow. Animals, including human beings, then eat those plants which in turn provide them energy and allow them to sustain life. If the bacteria were eradicated, then the plants would die and all other life forms which depend on the plants will also die. Other valued of biodiversity to humans include the fact that rich environments provide heretofore unknown resources, such as new food products and medicines. Important medicinal discoveries such as the pain medications codeine and morphine were only discovered because they were natural defense mechanisms found in plants to prevent their consumption by herbivorous organisms.
Factors that threaten species persistence include: (1) degradation, destruction, and fragmentation of their natural habitats, (2) overexploitation of populations, (3) disease or a new predator's introduction, and (4) some natural or unnatural phenomena which upsets the balance within the ecosystem (Sadava 2011,-page 1247). Each of these factors could lead to endangerment of extinction of given populations.
6. Describe at least four strategies used by Conservation Biologists to protect Biodiversity.
a. Creating and maintaining nature preserves which emulate the natural habitats of the creatures that live within the preserve. These preserves will be built in regions which are close to the climate and terrain of the original ecosystem in the hope that the animals will be able to survive and thrive within the community.
b. Conservation biologists have used the legal system to ban chemicals, processes, and procedures which have been proven to negatively impact biodiversity. For example, conservation biologists have been instrumental in banning the use of chemical sprays such as DDT which are used by farmers to prevent insects from eating or bruising their crops. These insect sprays have not only decimated the insect population, but also impacted bird communities and cats in certain regions of the world because these secondary consumers eat the insects and are then themselves poisoned.
You’re 87% through this paper. Sign up to read the full paper.
Sign Up Now — Instant Access Already a member? Log inAlways verify citation format against your institution’s current style guide requirements.