Name: ________________________________________________ AP

AP Biology
Biology
Mr. Croft

Chapter 43 Active Reading Guide

Global Ecology and Conservation Biology
Overview
In the overview at the beginning of the chapter, the author sets the stage for this final
chapter of the book. Let’s begin by defining conservation biology.

the integrated study of ecology, evolutionary biology, physiology, molecular

biology, and genetics to sustain biological diversity at all levels
Section 1
1. Ecologists organize biodiversity on three levels. In the table below, explain the
impact of decreasing diversity in each division. Before answering this question, read
to page 883, where the topic changes to threats to biodiversity.
Level of Biodiversity Impact
Genetic Diversity
if 1 population becomes extinct, then a species may have lose some
of its genetic diversity that makes microevolution possible

Species Diversity As more species are lost to extinction, species diversity decreases.

Ecosystem Diversity because of many interactions between populations of different species

in an ecosystem, local extinction of one species may have a negative
impact on other species in ecosystem

2. Explain the difference between endangered species and threatened species.

threatened species?
endangered species
A species that is likely to
A species that is in danger of
become endangered in the
extinction throughout all or a
foreseeable future
significant portion of their range

3. Use this table to organize your thoughts on how the following three threats affect
biodiversity.
Threat to Biodiversity How it Reduces Biodiversity
Habitat Loss Habitat loss is a result of agriculture, urbanization,
forestry, mining, etc., and if species can't relocate when
their homes are destroyed, they go extinct
Introduced Species When humans introduce non-native species to an area, they may
spread rapidly, as they have no diseases or predators threatening
them, which contributes to 40% of extinctions
Overexploitation
The harvesting of wild organisms at rates exceeding their population's
ability to rebound causes extinctions quickly

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4. List five introduced species that present a serious threat to their new communities.
Explain the damage done by each introduced species. Include two introduced
species that are a threat in your own region of the country. Indicate these with an
asterisk (*).
Introduced Species Damage
1. brown tree snake

2.
zebra mussel

3. kudzu

4. cane toad

5. lamprey

Section 2
5. What do conservation biologists who adopt the small-population approach study?

6. Explain what an extinction vortex is, and describe one field study that supports this
idea.

7. Why is genetic variation the key issue in the small-population approach?

8. On what type of population does the declining-population model focus?

9. What is the emphasis for study in the declining-population model?

10. Scientists drilled nest holes for red-cockaded woodpeckers in an attempt to increase
their population levels. How is this action a response to the declining-population
model?

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Section 3
11. Describe how the increase in cowbirds is related to forest fragmentation.

12. What are potential positive and negative effects of movement corridors?

13. Explain the concept behind a zoned reserve.

Section 4
This section looks at human impact on ecosystems.

14. How has agriculture affected nitrogen cycling? What are some negative
consequences of nutrient enrichment?

15. Explain the process of biological magnification. Discuss at least one example.

16. What is meant by the greenhouse effect? What would life on Earth be like without
this effect?

17. What is contributing to the great increase in atmospheric carbon dioxide? What are
potential effects of this increase?

18. How is atmospheric ozone depleted? What are projected effects of this depletion?

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Section 5
19. Summarize human population growth since 1650. (Of all the reported statistics,
which one surprises you the most?)

20. What is demographic transition? In demographic transition which falls first, birth or
death rates?

21. Why do infant mortality and life expectancy vary so greatly between certain
countries?

22. Can the world’s population sustain an ecological footprint that is currently the
average American footprint? Explain.

Section 6
23. Explain the concept behind the phrase “sustainable development.”

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