Preserving the Earth's Biological Diversity

Outline of Chapter 16

1-     How many species are there?

2-     Why we need organisms

            - Ecosystem services and species richness

            - Genetic reserves

            - Scientific importance of genetic diversity

            - Medical, agricultural and industrial importance of organisms

            - Aesthetic, ethical and religious value of organisms

3-     Endangered and extinct species

            - Extinctions today

            - Endangered and threatened species

            - Characteristics of endangered species

4-     Human causes of species endangerment and extinction

            - The problem of exotic species

            - Hunting

            - Where is declining diversity the greatest problem

5-     Conservation biology

            - Protecting habitats

            - Restoring damaged or destroyed habitats

            - Zoos, aquaria, botanical gardens and seed banks

            - Conservation organizations

            - Policies and laws

                        - The Biological Resource Division

                        - International policies and laws

6-     Wildlife management

            - Population control

            - Habitat management

            - Management of migratory animals

            - Management of aquatic organisms

            - Whales

7-     What can we do about declining diversity?

            - Increase public awareness

            - Support research in conservation biology

            - Support the establishment of an international system of parks

            - Control pollution

            - Provide economic incentives to tropical nations

Envirobrief:           Disappearing frogs

        Solving crimes against organisms

        A welcome population boom

        Unusual fish tanks

Focus on:               The death of a lake

                                Vanishing tropical rain forests

                                Reintroducing endangered animal species to nature

Meeting the Challenge: