1. Welcome to Conservation Biology Bio 125 Dr. Cynthia Dott, Biology; 752 Berndt Hall

2. What is Conservation Biology?  Applied, interdisciplinary science developed in response to rapid modern loss of species & habitats.  3 goals: oDocument diversity of organisms on Earth oStudy human impact on species and habitats oDevelop methods to preserve those species and their habitats

3. Conservation Biology…. The study of Biological Diversity  What is Biological Diversity (shortened to “Biodiversity”)  Nothing less than the astounding variety of life forms found on Earth:

4. Escherichia coli bacteria

5. Mycobacterium chelonae

11. Bacteria Archaebacteria ProtistsPlants Fungi Animals

12. Levels of Biological Diversity – Diversity at different scales: 1) Genetic Diversity

13. 2) Species Diversity 3) Habitat Diversity

14. What makes the Earth such an amazing place to live? In part, it is the incredible diversity of organisms we share it with.

52. Syllabus Overview The semester will be built around these 4 questions about Biodiversity:

53. Biological Diversity:  What is it?  How did it get here?  What threatens it today?  How can we preserve it, as much as possible?

54. fm2.fieldmuseum.org/rbi/gallery_peru12/8.asp