AP Biology Study Guide

Chapter 38: Conservation Biology

Opening Essay

1. Describe the goals of conservation biology and the particular challenges of managing tigers in Asia.

The Biodiversity Crisis

2. Explain why biodiversity is vital to human welfare. Explain the biological significance of the island of Madagascar.

3. Describe the three components of biodiversity. Explain how human activities can threaten biodiversity. Distinguish between endangered species and threatened species.

4. Describe the three greatest current threats to biodiversity, providing examples of each.

5. Explain how human activity has polluted the environment and contributed to the thinning of the ozone layer. Describe the consequences of these actions.

6. Describe the process of biological magnification.

7. Describe the causes and consequences of global warming.

Conservation Biology and Restoration Ecology

8. Explain why the efforts to save the red-cockaded woodpecker from extinction are a good model for future conservation efforts.

9. Describe the goals of landscape ecology. Describe the significance of edges and movement corridors in maintaining biodiversity.

10. Describe the significance of biodiversity hotspots. Describe the challenges of protecting species that migrate or otherwise require great ranges.

11. Explain how zoned reserves are being used to protect ecosystems. Describe the success and ongoing challenges of such reserves in Costa Rica.

12. Describe the goals of the Yukon to Yellowstone Initiative. Explain why wolves are considered a keystone species and how their return to Yellowstone National Park has impacted the ecosystem there.

13. Describe the goals and methods of restoration ecology. Describe the goals and expected outcomes of the Kissimmee River Project.

14. Explain why sustainable development should be the ultimate goal for the long-term maintenance of human societies and the ecosystems that support them.


Key Terms

C. Gay 4/12/09 Steamboat Springs High School AP Biology

biodiversity

biodiversity crisis

biodiversity hot spot

biological magnification

conservation biology

endangered species

endemic species

landscape ecology

movement corridor

ozone layer

phenotypic plasticity

restoration ecology

sustainable development

threatened species

zoned reserve

C. Gay 4/12/09 Steamboat Springs High School AP Biology