Conservation Biology Biodiversity

Keystone Species Coyote –Keystone species in Walnut Killing coyotes means an increase in a few dominant species Residents complain about rodent problems when coyotes disappear

Island Biogeography MacArthur and Wilson (1960’s)

Biodiversity Crisis Extinction Rates are increasing Toxins (biological magnification) Greenhouse effect / Ozone depletion Overpopulation Major threats to Biodiversity Habitat Destruction Overexploitation Introduction of exotics

Conservation Endangered Species in danger of becoming extinct Threatened Species likely to become endangered in the near future Genetic Diversity Losing individuals or populations loses genetic diversity

Habitat Fragmentation

Conservation Edges Corridors Protect landscapes not individual species Sustainable development

Edge Effect

Corridors

Extinction Background Several species a year just go extinct – They are replaced Mass Large scale extinction – species replaced due to adaptive radiation of remaining species Anthropogenic Large scale extinction – species being replaced by a single species (humans)