"On the Termination of Species"
Gibbs, W.W. Current
Issues in Biology. Scientific American, Inc.
November 2001. 30-41.
This article focuses on extinction
rates and how the world might be on the verge of a mass
extinction. Scientists are trying to figure out how fast
species are disappearing and the articles explains several
models that are being used. It explains how the
difficulties in determining the extinction rate. One of
the suggestions in the article is to buy large tracts of
land where natural selection can take place in the absence
of human interference. This article is followed by a short
quiz and critical thinking questions.
"The Ecology Action Guide:
Action for a sustainable future". Hickman, G.
C. & Hickman, S. M. (2002).
Boston:
Pearson Education, Inc.
This
simple guide offers and overview of the subject of ecology for
students interested in the field. Interviews with
students, vocations, and short chapters covering overcrowding,
pollution, biodiversity, and biomes will introduce students to
ecology. Checklists to reduce one’s ecological footprint
and ways to get involved make up a fair portion of the
book.
“Should We Care About a Worm’s
Social Life?”
Pines, Maya.
The
Genes We Share with Yeast, Flies, Worms, and Mice: New Clues to Human
Health and Disease.
Howard
Hughes Medical Institute (2001).
Caenorhabditis elegans worms do
not eat alone. Other groups do prefer eating alone.
This is important as specific mutations in the worms may give
insight to human disorders. Sociable worms were
hyperactive, a measurable trait that can be useful in
determining whether the worms were antisocial due to situational
context or intrinsically antisocial during feeding. Also, the
article mentions the development of sexual organs in C. elegans
and the link to cancer in humans.
"Endangered Wild Equids".
Moehlman, Patricia. Scientific American. pp. 33-41.
Only seven species of wild equids remain- 3 asses,
3 zebra, and 1 wild horse. Most of these are now
listed as endangered by the IUCN. In grasslands, the
equids form stable groups where all females feed
together. A male keeps his "harem". In
contrast, dry environments cause the only long-term
grouping to be a mother and her foal. The main
causes for endangerment are overhunting and habitat
destruction. The article investigates the likelihood
of one system of social organization to benefit the
species to prevent extinction.
Ecology Resource Page
This website offers multiple ecology-related
resources.
"Resources
for Teaching Biodiversity Conservation" Network of
Conservation Educators and Practicioners.
Website provides teaching resources in Conservation
Biology and Biodiversity.
New Zealand
Ecological Society Page
This website offers information on the ecology of New
Zealand.
Land And People. Volume 19, Number
1. (Spring/Summer 2008) - Available in PBL Resource
Cabinet in SCIC outside of room 207
Provides short articles and information with regard to
land conservation and the human impact.
Land And People. Volume 20, Number
1. (Spring/Summer 2008) - Available in PBL Resource
Cabinet in SCIC outside of room 207
Provides short articles and information with regard to
land conservation and the human impact.
Articles in "Taking Sides"
"
Is Biodiversity Overprotected?"
Easton, Thomas.
Taking
Sides: Environmental Issues, Eleventh Edition.
Issue Summary:
- YES: Professor of
economics David N. Laband argues that the public demands
excessive amounts of biodiversity largely because decision
makers and voters do not have to bear the costs of producing
it. (from: "Regulation Biodiversity: Tragedy in the
Political Commons", Ideas
on Liberty, September 2001).
- NO: Wildlife conservation
researcher and writer Howard Youth argues that the actions
needed to protect biodiversity not only have economic
benefits but also are the same actions needed to ensure a
sustainable future for humanity. (from: Silenced Springs:
Disappearing Birds", Futurist,
July/August 2003).
"
Is
Biodiversity
Overprotected?". Easton, TA. Taking Sides: Clashing
views on environmental issues, twelfth edition. 2007 McGraw-Hill, p.54-69.
Issue Summary:
YES:
"Regulating biodiversity: Tragedy in the political
commons".
David Lebland
- There is a desire for
forests that exists but there are also trade-offs such
as sustaining forests with such species of insects
such as termites that threaten to destroy the
forests. The problem is that we grow and
harvest more timber while managed forests are coming
under fire from environmentalists. People use
timber and want natural views without using the
regulations that create them. There is a tragedy
of the commons that exists because everyone is
pursuing their own interests.
NO: "Silenced spring: disappearing birds" . Howard Youth.
- There will be a 12% loss of
bird species in the next century. The monocultures
that the managed forests are replanting are not beneficial
for the birds. They are not promoting biodiversity
necessary for the species to flourish. Another
problem is the exotic species that are being
introduced. They are harming the infrastructure of
the ecosystem. Human activities are also creating
problems, directly through hunting and trapping and
indirectly through pollution. The best way to combat
this is to keep areas of high biodiversity safe.