3.1 An Introduction to Biodiversity
3.2 Origins of Biodiversity
3.3 Threats to Biodiversity
3.4 Conservation of Biodiversity
- What is biodiversity?
- Species diversity
- habitat diversity
- genetic diversity
- How do we compare biodiversity of communities? What can a lower diversity indicate?
- Why is assessing changes to biodiversity important?
3.2 Origins of Biodiversity
- What is evolution? How is it achieved?
- Natural Selection ("Survival of the fittest" where fittest = "Best suited to the niche)
- Within a population of one species, there is genetic diversity, which is called variation
- Due to natural variation, some individuals will be fitter than others
- Fitter individuals have an advantage and will reproduce more successfully than individuals who are less fit
- The offspring of fitter individuals may inherit the genes that give that advantage
- What is speciation?
- What causes isolation of species?
- Describe Plate Tectonics. What are the types of plate boundaries? What happens at each?
- Explain how plate activity has influenced evolution and biodiversity
- What caused past mass extinctions?
3.3 Threats to Biodiversity
- Why are the current rates of species loss far greater now that in the past?
- What 5 human activities have caused species extinctions?
- What is the IUCN?
- Factors used to determine the conservation status of species(population size, degree of specialization, distribution, reproductive potential and behavior, geographic range and degree of fragmentation, quality of habitat, trophic level and the probability of extinction)
- Discuss the case history of 3 different species (extinct due to human activity, critically endangered and one whose conservation status has been improved by intervention)
- Evaluate the impact of human activity on the biodiversity of tropical biomes
- Discuss the conflict between exploitation, sustainable development and conservation in tropical biomes
3.4 Conservation of Biodiversity
- Arguments about species and habitat preservation (aesthetic, ecological, economic, ethical, and social justifications)
- International, governmental and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) - Describe their varying levels of effectiveness due to their use of media, speed of response, diplomatic constraints, financial resources and political influence
- Describe one recent international convention on biodiversity that worked to create collaboration between nations for biodiversity conservation
- Describe the three conservation approaches (habitat conservation, species-based conservation, mixed approach)
- What criteria should be considered when designing protected areas? Why is location a significant factor?
- Give a specific example of a protected area and the success it has achieved
- Describe alternative approaches to the development of protected areas (species-based conservation strategies
- CITES
- captive breeding, reintroduction, zoos
- selection of "charismatic" species to help protect others in an area (flagship species)
- selection of keystone species to protect the integrity of the food web