DAY 01 - Science, Technology & Culture



Conservation Biology: Our World Under Pressure

INTRODUCTION

This next two weeks we are going to study conservation biology. Conservation biology is an area in biology, much like evolution and population biology that deals in particular with preserving life. In order for life to be preserved we need to become aware of: what lives in our environment, what ‘goods and services’ does our environment provide us with and how are we (the human race) affecting or threatening the continuation of life in these environments. So, why should we care about what happens to other forms of life?

Since our existence we have been dependant on what our environment was able to provide us with. We were hunters/ gatherers, we moved from place to place just like birds migrate to find better nesting places or feeding places. As all living organisms we are active participants in food webs and chemical cycles. We depend on breathable air, drinkable water, and fertile soil to survive. In addition ecosystem processes provide us with “services” such as storage and recycling of nutrients. We are lucky to have all this.

* “Tragedy of the commons” Any resource that is free, such as water in the ground or fish from the sea, that are accessible to everyone, may eventually become destroyed.

REFLECTION QUESTION

In your personal life, either as an individual or as a member of a family, describe how your life style is a threat to biodiversity. Use what you have learned about land, water, air and deforestation to supplement your answer and reflect on ways that could you help biodiversity

FLOWCHART TO GUIDE YOU ON YOU REFLECTION

Biodiversity: Is variety good?

Objectives:

1. Student should know what biodiversity is and why preserving biodiversity is important to humans. (What is the value of biodiversity?)

2. Students should be able to outline specific threats to biodiversity and ways in which we can reduce those threats.

3. Students should be able to distinguish between extinct, endangered and threatened species.

Resources:

Book: Biology Living Systems- Oram (1998) (Chapter 30- p 867, 864-869)

Environmental Science Activities Kit- Michael L. Roa (1993) (p 70-86)

Websites:

WWF- Biodiversity conservation network:

American Museum of Natural History:

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A- CONCEPT MAP: Biodiversity (Day 01 Summary)

Words: genetic diversity, species diversity, ecosystem diversity, medicine, food, clothing, fuel, cancer drugs, blood pressure drugs, ecotourism, O2 and CO2 recycling, environment cooling, habitat alteration, habitat loss, habitat degradation, habitat fragmentation, Invasive species, Pollution, Over Exploitation, Human growth and development, hunting (commercial, sport), extinction, threatened, endangered

OHP Image 1

Activity: Part I- Data Graphing

Two sets of data are given in tables A and B below. Use the axes given below to make line graphs of the data. Try this out in Excel! Neat

o Use a blue pen or pencil to graph data from table 1-A, using the left axis.

o Use a red pen or pencil to graph data from table 1-B, using the right axis.

Table 1-A Table 1-B

1650…..550 1650…..5

1700…..610 1650…..9

1750…..760 1650…..7

1800…..950 1650…..12

1850…..1210 1650…..27

1900…..1630 1650…..70

1950…..2520 1650…..124

2000…..6000 1650…..??

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Graph of ____________________

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OHP Image 2

Activity: Part II- Threats to biodiversity/ Causes of Extinction

|Habitat Alteration (i.e. habitat loss |30% |Pest control |7% |

|& degradation) | | | |

|Commercial Hunting (legal and illegal)|21% |Subsistence food hunting |6% |

|Competition with introduced species |16% |Captured to serve pets (illegal |5% |

|(invasive species) | |trapping) | |

|Sport hunting |12% |Superstitious beliefs |2% |

| | | | |

| | |Pollution |1% |

| | | | |

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Ways to solve this problem

1- Individual level

2- Community/ global

Effect of threat on Resource

1- What happens if don’t control the threat

Threats to Resource

1- Things that alter it

2- Things that are a threat to it.

Importance of resource to:

1- Humans

2- Other life forms

BIODIVERSITY

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