Welcome toConservation Biology

Bio 125

Dr. Cynthia Dott, Biology; 752 Berndt Hall

What is Conservation Biology?

Applied, interdisciplinary science developed in response to rapid modern loss of species & habitats.

3 goals:o Document diversity of organisms on Eartho Study human impact on species and habitatso Develop methods to preserve those species

and their habitats

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:

Escherichia coli bacteria

Mycobacterium chelonae

Bacteria

Archaebacteria

Protists Plants

Fungi Animals

Levels of Biological Diversity – Diversity at different scales:

1) Genetic Diversity

2) Species Diversity

3) Habitat Diversity

What makes the Earth such an amazing place to live?

In part, it is the incredible diversity of organisms we

share it with.

http://www.nwf.org/graywolf/

Syllabus Overview

The semester will be built around these 4 questions about

Biodiversity:

Biological Diversity:

What is it?How did it get here?What threatens it today?How can we preserve it, as much as

possible?

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