BIO121 Threats To Biodiversity Paper Essay

BIO121 Threats To Biodiversity Paper

Option #1: Threats to Biodiversity: U.S. vs. Developing Countries

Although species extinctions are part of the evolutionary process, current extinction rates are much greater than at any time in the last several million years. Current extinction rates are about 2,500 times the background rate at which species have disappeared due to evolution—that is approximately two species lost in every hour of every day! To address this issue, we need to recognize the major threats to biodiversity.

Many human activities threaten biodiversity either directly or indirectly, and virtually all current extinctions are due to human activities. While a myriad of threats potentially undermines biodiversity, each species faces its own specific suite of threats. Moreover, species in different regions of the world are more prone to some threats than others. If we are to mitigate these threats, we must first understand what specifically is threatening biological diversity in a particular region.

The World Conservation Union (IUCN) maintains a list of imperiled and extinct species, known as the Red List of Threatened Species. The list can help us to understand just what threatens biodiversity around the world. In this exercise, you will obtain a list of threatened species for your country and then contrast the causes of species imperilment in your country with that in the world at large. From this assessment, you will develop an understanding of the primary threats to biodiversity both locally and globally.

There are a variety of reasons why species become threatened with extinction. Threats to biodiversity are often grouped into five basic categories: ecosystem loss, unsustainable (human) use, invasive species, pollution, and climate change. Note that these are very general classes of threats. The IUCN provides a far more detailed breakdown of threats, which is available on their website (see “Threats authority file” at the bottom of the search screen). Become familiar with these categories.

In your paper, answer the following questions:

1.) What are the major threats to wild species in the United States?

2.) What are the major threats to species in the developing nation you have selected?

3.) Based upon your threat rankings, are there any noteworthy differences between the two lists of threats? What might account for these differences?

4.) Based upon the results of your analysis of threats to species in the United States, what conservation actions would you recommend to prevent future species extinctions? Suggest at least two specific steps that might be taken, and why they might be effective.

5.) Based upon the results of your analysis of threats to species in the developing country you selected, what conservation actions would you recommend to prevent future species extinctions? Suggest at least two specific steps that might be taken, and why they might be effective.

BIO121 Threats To Biodiversity Paper Essay

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