Chapter 55: Conservation Biology & Restoration Ecology What is conservation biology? The integration of all aspects of biology to conserve biological diversity at all levels Ecology, physiology, molecular biology, genetics & evolutionary biology What is restoration ecology? Applies ecological principles to return humanly disturbed ecosystems back to their natural state What is biodiversity? Biological diversity 3 levels Genetic diversity Genetic variation within a population & genetic variation between populations Species diversity The variety of species in an ecosystem or throughout the biosphere Threatened species – species likely to be considered endangered in the foreseeable future Endangered species – species in danger of becoming extinct within their range Ecosystem diversity The variety of biosphere’s ecosystems Extinction of 1 species can impact its community & ecosystem

Figure 55.2 Three levels of biodiversity Genetic diversity in a vole population Species diversity in a coastal redwood ecosystem Community and ecosystem diversity across the landscape of an entire region

Chapter 55: Conservation Biology & Restoration Ecology What is conservation biology? What is restoration ecology? What is biodiversity? What things are threatening biodiversity? Habitat loss Introduced species Overexploitation

Figure 55.1 Tropical deforestation in West Kalimantan, Borneo Habitat loss

Figure 55.6 Two introduced species (a) Brown tree snake, intro- duced to Guam in cargo (b) Introduced kudzu thriving in South Carolina

Figure 55.7 Overexploitation North Atlantic bluefin tuna

Chapter 55: Conservation Biology & Restoration Ecology What is conservation biology? What is restoration ecology? What is biodiversity? What things are threatening biodiversity? What’s the difference between fragmentation, an edge, and a corridor? Fragmentation – division of natural habitat Edge – boundary between ecosystems – species rich Corridor – movement strip that connects habitats

Figure 55.16 An artificial corridor