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| diversity of life biology: The Diversity of Life Edward O. Wilson, 1992 View a collection of videos on Professor Wilson entitled On the Relation of Science and the Humanities In the Amazon Basin the greatest violence sometimes begins as a flicker of light beyond the horizon. There in the perfect bowl of the night sky, untouched by light from any human source, a thunderstorm sends its premonitory signal and begins a slow journey to the observer, who thinks: the world is about to change. Watching from the edge of the Brazilian rain forest, witness to the sort of violence nature visits upon its creatures, Edward O. Wilson reflects on the crucible of evolution, and so begins his remarkable account of how the living world became diverse and how humans are destroying that diversity. Wilson, internationally regarded as the dean of biodiversity studies, conducts us on a tour through time, traces the processes that create new species in bursts of adaptive radiation, and points out the cataclysmic events that have disrupted evolution and diminished global diversity over the past 600 million years. The five enormous natural blows to the planet (such as meteorite strikes and climatic changes) required 10 to 100 million years of evolutionary repair. The sixth great spasm of extinction on earth--caused this time entirely by humans--may be the one that breaks the crucible of life. Wilson identifies this crisis in countless ecosystems around the globe: coral reefs, grasslands, rain forests, and other natural habitats. Drawing on a variety of examples such as the decline of bird populations in the United States, the extinction of many species of freshwater fish in Africa and Asia, and the rapid disappearance of flora and fauna as the rain forests are cut down, he poignantly describes the death throes of the living world's diversity--projected to decline as much as 20 percent by the year 2020. All evidence marshaled here resonates through Wilson's tightly reasoned call for a spirit of stewardship over the world's biological wealth. He makes a plea for specific actions that will enhance rather than diminish not just diversity but the quality of life on earth. Cutting through the tangle of environmental issues that often obscure the real concern, Wilson maintains that the era of confrontation between forces for the preservation of nature and those for economic development is over; he convincingly drives home the point that both aims can, and must, be integrated. Unparalleled in its range and depth, Wilson's masterwork is essential reading for those who care about preserving the world biological variety and ensuring our planet's health. |
| diversity of life biology: Principles of Biology Lisa Bartee, Walter Shiner, Catherine Creech, 2017 The Principles of Biology sequence (BI 211, 212 and 213) introduces biology as a scientific discipline for students planning to major in biology and other science disciplines. Laboratories and classroom activities introduce techniques used to study biological processes and provide opportunities for students to develop their ability to conduct research. |
| diversity of life biology: The Diversity of Life Edward O. Wilson, 2001-04-26 Not since Darwin has an author so lifted the science of ecology with insight and delightful imagery - Richard Dawkins In this book a master scientist tells the great story of how life on earth evolved. E.O. Wilson eloquently describes how the species of the world became diverse, and why the threat to this diversity today is beyond the scope of anything we have known before. In an extensive new foreword for this edition, Professor Wilson addresses the explosion of the field of conservation biology and takes a clear-eyed look at the work still to be done. |
| diversity of life biology: Biology Cecie Starr, 2004 This Study Guide both invites and requires students' active participation. And because it's organized to match sections in the text, it's very easy to use. As students respond to the questions, their understanding increases. |
| diversity of life biology: Evolution and the Diversity of Life Ernst Mayr, 1997 The diversity of living forms and the unity of evolutionary processes are the focus of these essays. The collection helps form much of the basis of contempoary undertanding of evolutionary biology. |
| diversity of life biology: The Diversity of Life Edward O. Wilson, 1999-07 In this book a master scientist tells the great story of how life on earth evolved. Edward O. Wilson eloquently describes how the species of the world became diverse, and why the threat to this diversity today is beyond the scope of anything we have known before. |
| diversity of life biology: Opportunities in Biology National Research Council, Division on Earth and Life Studies, Commission on Life Sciences, Board on Biology, Committee on Research Opportunities in Biology, 1989-01-01 Biology has entered an era in which interdisciplinary cooperation is at an all-time high, practical applications follow basic discoveries more quickly than ever before, and new technologiesâ€recombinant DNA, scanning tunneling microscopes, and moreâ€are revolutionizing the way science is conducted. The potential for scientific breakthroughs with significant implications for society has never been greater. Opportunities in Biology reports on the state of the new biology, taking a detailed look at the disciplines of biology; examining the advances made in medicine, agriculture, and other fields; and pointing out promising research opportunities. Authored by an expert panel representing a variety of viewpoints, this volume also offers recommendations on how to meet the infrastructure needsâ€for funding, effective information systems, and other supportâ€of future biology research. Exploring what has been accomplished and what is on the horizon, Opportunities in Biology is an indispensable resource for students, teachers, and researchers in all subdisciplines of biology as well as for research administrators and those in funding agencies. |
| diversity of life biology: Diversity of Life Lynn Margulis, Karlene V. Schwartz, Michael Dolan, 1999 This sophisticated coloring book is a beautifully detailed illustration of the world's living diversity. It is written for science students, teachers, and anyone else who is curious about the extraordinary variety of living things that inhabit this planet. It opens with an introduction to the classification systems, distinctions between prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells, an introduction to life cycles, Earth history, and an explanation of how to best use this coloring book. The next section is organized by communities in which the organisms live. The final section details the variety of major groupings - phyla - within each kingdom and shows how the organisms in each are distinguished from one other. This coloring book gives a visual understanding of the enormous diversity of life on this planet and will be an enlightening and educational resource for students from a variety of backgrounds. |
| diversity of life biology: Biology Cecie Starr, Ralph Taggart, 2008-10-03 Labeling exercises, self-quizzes, review questions, and critical thinking exercises help students with retention and better test results. |
| diversity of life biology: The Biology of Biodiversity M. Kato, 2012-12-06 Biological diversity, or biodiversity, refers to the universal attribute of all living organisms that each individual being is unique - that is, no two organisms are identical. The biology of biodiversity must include all the aspects of evolutionary and ecological sciences analyzing the origin, changes, and maintenance of the di versity of living organisms. Today biodiversity, which benefits human life in vari ous ways, is threatened by the expansion of human activities. Biological research in biodiversity contributes not only to understanding biodiversity itself but also to its conservation and utilization. The Biology of Biodiversity was the specialty area of the 1998 International Prize for Biology. The International Prize for Biology was established in 1985 in commemoration of the sixty-year reign of the Emperor Showa and his longtime devotion to biological research. The 1998 Prize was awarded to Professor Otto Thomas Solbrig, Harvard University, one of the authors of this book. In conjunction with the awarding of the International Prize for Biology, the 14th International Symposium with the theme of The Biology of Biodiversity was held in Hayama on the 9th and 10th of December 1998, with financial support by an international symposium grant from the Ministry of Education, Science, Sports and Culture of Japan. The invited speakers were chosen so as to cover four basic aspects of biodiversity: species diversity and phylogeny, ecological biodiversity, development and evolution, and genetic diversity of living organisms including human beings. |
| diversity of life biology: The Diversity of Living Organisms R. S. K. Barnes, 2009-07-17 Such is the pressure on teaching time in schools and universities that students are taught less and less of the diversity that is life on this planet. Most students, and indeed most professional biologists that these students become, know far more of cell function than of biodiversity. This text is a profusely illustrated, quick-reference guide to all types of living organisms, from the single-celled prokaryotes and eurkaryotes to the multicellular fungi, plants and animals. All surviving phyla and their component classes are characterised and described, as are their lifestyles, ecology, relationships, and within-group diversity (with orders displayed in list form). Overall, the book's aim is to provide biologists and others with a clear, concise picture of the nature of all groups of organisms with which they may be unfamiliar. |
| diversity of life biology: Evolution Jonathan Bard, 2021-12-31 Evolution is the single unifying principle of biology and core to everything in the life sciences. More than a century of work by scientists from across the biological spectrum has produced a detailed history of life across the phyla and explained the mechanisms by which new species form. This textbook covers both this history and the mechanisms of speciation; it also aims to provide students with the background needed to read the research literature on evolution. Students will therefore learn about cladistics, molecular phylogenies, the molecular-genetical basis of evolutionary change including the important role of protein networks, symbionts and holobionts, together with the core principles of developmental biology. The book also includes introductory appendices that provide background knowledge on, for example, the diversity of life today, fossils, the geology of Earth and the history of evolutionary thought. Key Features Summarizes the origins of life and the evolution of the eukaryotic cell and of Urbilateria, the last common ancestor of invertebrates and vertebrates. Reviews the history of life across the phyla based on the fossil record and computational phylogenetics. Explains evo-devo and the generation of anatomical novelties. Illustrates the roles of small populations, genetic drift, mutation and selection in speciation. Documents human evolution using the fossil record and evidence of dispersal across the world leading to the emergence of modern humans. |
| diversity of life biology: Conserving Biodiversity National Research Council, Board on Science and Technology for International Development, 1992-02-01 The loss of the earth's biological diversity is widely recognized as a critical environmental problem. That loss is most severe in developing countries, where the conditions of human existence are most difficult. Conserving Biodiversity presents an agenda for research that can provide information to formulate policy and design conservation programs in the Third World. The book includes discussions of research needs in the biological sciences as well as economics and anthropology, areas of critical importance to conservation and sustainable development. Although specifically directed toward development agencies, non-governmental organizations, and decisionmakers in developing nations, this volume should be of interest to all who are involved in the conservation of biological diversity. |
| diversity of life biology: Measuring Biological Diversity Anne E. Magurran, 2013-04-18 This accessible and timely book provides a comprehensive overview of how to measure biodiversity. The book highlights new developments, including innovative approaches to measuring taxonomic distinctness and estimating species richness, and evaluates these alongside traditional methods such as species abundance distributions, and diversity and evenness statistics. Helps the reader quantify and interpret patterns of ecological diversity, focusing on the measurement and estimation of species richness and abundance. Explores the concept of ecological diversity, bringing new perspectives to a field beset by contradictory views and advice. Discussion spans issues such as the meaning of community in the context of ecological diversity, scales of diversity and distribution of diversity among taxa Highlights advances in measurement paying particular attention to new techniques such as species richness estimation, application of measures of diversity to conservation and environmental management and addressing sampling issues Includes worked examples of key methods in helping people to understand the techniques and use available computer packages more effectively |
| diversity of life biology: Concepts of Biology Samantha Fowler, Rebecca Roush, James Wise, 2023-05-12 Black & white print. Concepts of Biology is designed for the typical introductory biology course for nonmajors, covering standard scope and sequence requirements. The text includes interesting applications and conveys the major themes of biology, with content that is meaningful and easy to understand. The book is designed to demonstrate biology concepts and to promote scientific literacy. |
| diversity of life biology: Biodiversity Jenny L. Chapman, Michael B. V. Roberts, 1997-07-24 First published in 1997, this second book in the Advanced Biology Topics series, studies the diversity of organisms on earth. |
| diversity of life biology: Biology Cecie Starr, Ralph Taggart, 2007-01 |
| diversity of life biology: Systematics and the Origin of Species, from the Viewpoint of a Zoologist Ernst Mayr, 1999 This study, first published in 1942, helped to revolutionize evolutionary biology by offering a new approach to taxonomic principles, and correlating the ideas and findings of modern systematics with those of other life disciplines. This book is one of the foundational documents of the Evolutionary Synthesis. It is the book in which Ernst Mayr pioneered his concept of species based chiefly on such biological factors as interbreeding and reproductive isolation, taking into account ecology, geography and life history. In the introduction to this edition, Mayr reflects on the place of this work in the subsequent history of his field. |
| diversity of life biology: Biodiversity and Evolution Philippe Grandcolas, Marie-Christine Maurel, 2018-04-17 Biodiversity and Evolution includes chapters devoted to the evolution and biodiversity of organisms at the molecular level, based on the study of natural collections from the Museum of Natural History. The book starts with an epistemological and historical introduction and ends with a critical overview of the Anthropocene epoch. - Explores the study of natural collections of the Museum of Natural History - Examines evolution and biodiversity at the molecular level - Features an introduction focusing on epistemology and history - Provides a critical overview |
| diversity of life biology: Biodiversity II A Joseph Henry Press book, 1996-09-16 The book before you...carries the urgent warning that we are rapidly altering and destroying the environments that have fostered the diversity of life forms for more than a billion years. With those words, Edward O. Wilson opened the landmark volume Biodiversity (National Academy Press, 1988). Despite this and other such alarms, species continue to vanish at a rapid rate, taking with them their genetic legacy and potential benefits. Many disappear before they can even be identified. Biodiversity II is a renewed call for urgency. This volume updates readers on how much we already know and how much remains to be identified scientifically. It explores new strategies for quantifying, understanding, and protecting biodiversity, including: New approaches to the integration of electronic data, including a proposal for a U.S. National Biodiversity Information Center. Application of techniques developed in the human genome project to species identification and classification. The Gap Analysis Program of the National Biological Survey, which uses layered satellite, climatic, and biological data to assess distribution and better manage biodiversity. The significant contribution of museum collections to identifying and categorizing species, which is essential for understanding ecological function and for targeting organisms and regions at risk. The book describes our growing understanding of how megacenters of diversity (e.g., rainforest insects, coral reefs) are formed, maintained, and lost; what can be learned from mounting bird extinctions; and how conservation efforts for neotropical primates have fared. It also explores ecosystem restoration, sustainable development, and agricultural impact. Biodiversity II reinforces the idea that the conservation of our biological resources is within reach as long as we pool resources; better coordinate the efforts of existing institutionsâ€museums, universities, and government agenciesâ€already dedicated to this goal; and enhance support for research, collections, and training. This volume will be important to environmentalists, biologists, ecologists, educators, students, and concerned individuals. |
| diversity of life biology: Biological Diversity Paul E. Hatcher, Nick Battey, 2011-03-23 Biological Diversity takes a fresh, innovative approach to the teaching of biodiversity. Rather than detailing and cataloguing the major taxa and their evolutionary relationships, the authors have selected 18 groups of organisms and used these as a framework in which to discuss the species and their interactions with man and each other. There is a strong narrative theme throughout – the exploited and the exploiters - and, in many cases, there is emphasis on the historical context. A wide range of organisms are covered, from the unicellular to birds and mammals and with an equal consideration of plants and animals. Species have been chosen for their ability to best illustrate particular biological principles, and for their strong interaction with other species. After an introduction the book is divided into two parts: 'Exploited' and 'Exploiters'. Each of the chapters, although linked to each other, forms a stand-alone essay. They are scientifically rigorous, up-to-date and do not shy away from addressing some controversial issues. Chapters have 'text boxes' highlighting important issues and concepts, lists of further reading and references. In addition to tables and figures the book has a selection of original illustrations drawn by leading artist Steven Appleby. This fresh approach will appeal to all those interested in the biological sciences, and aims to be accessible to people with a diversity of backgrounds. It will prove particularly useful to biology students, enabling them to get to grips with important biological principles and concepts that underpin the diversity of life, and the interrelationship of humans with other groups of organisms. |
| diversity of life biology: Biology's First Law Daniel W. McShea, Robert N. Brandon, 2010-07-15 Life on earth is characterized by three striking phenomena that demand explanation: adaptation—the marvelous fit between organism and environment; diversity—the great variety of organisms; and complexity—the enormous intricacy of their internal structure. Natural selection explains adaptation. But what explains diversity and complexity? Daniel W. McShea and Robert N. Brandon argue that there exists in evolution a spontaneous tendency toward increased diversity and complexity, one that acts whether natural selection is present or not. They call this tendency a biological law—the Zero-Force Evolutionary Law, or ZFEL. This law unifies the principles and data of biology under a single framework and invites a reconceptualization of the field of the same sort that Newton’s First Law brought to physics. Biology’s First Law shows how the ZFEL can be applied to the study of diversity and complexity and examines its wider implications for biology. Intended for evolutionary biologists, paleontologists, and other scientists studying complex systems, and written in a concise and engaging format that speaks to students and interdisciplinary practitioners alike, this book will also find an appreciative audience in the philosophy of science. |
| diversity of life biology: Biology Peter J. Russell, Stephen L. Wolfe, Paul E. Hertz, Cecie Starr, Melville Brockett Fenton, Heather Addy, Denis Maxwell, Tom Haffie, Kenneth George Davey, 2010 |
| diversity of life biology: Biodiversity Conservation and Phylogenetic Systematics Roseli Pellens, Philippe Grandcolas, 2016-02-24 This book is about phylogenetic diversity as an approach to reduce biodiversity losses in this period of mass extinction. Chapters in the first section deal with questions such as the way we value phylogenetic diversity among other criteria for biodiversity conservation; the choice of measures; the loss of phylogenetic diversity with extinction; the importance of organisms that are deeply branched in the tree of life, and the role of relict species. The second section is composed by contributions exploring methodological aspects, such as how to deal with abundance, sampling effort, or conflicting trees in analysis of phylogenetic diversity. The last section is devoted to applications, showing how phylogenetic diversity can be integrated in systematic conservation planning, in EDGE and HEDGE evaluations. This wide coverage makes the book a reference for academics, policy makers and stakeholders dealing with biodiversity conservation. |
| diversity of life biology: Conservation Biology in Sub-Saharan Africa Richard Primack, Johnny W. Wilson, 2019-09-10 Conservation Biology in Sub-Saharan Africa comprehensively explores the challenges and potential solutions to key conservation issues in Sub-Saharan Africa. Easy to read, this lucid and accessible textbook includes fifteen chapters that cover a full range of conservation topics, including threats to biodiversity, environmental laws, and protected areas management, as well as related topics such as sustainability, poverty, and human-wildlife conflict. This rich resource also includes a background discussion of what conservation biology is, a wide range of theoretical approaches to the subject, and concrete examples of conservation practice in specific African contexts. Strategies are outlined to protect biodiversity whilst promoting economic development in the region. Boxes covering specific themes written by scientists who live and work throughout the region are included in each chapter, together with recommended readings and suggested discussion topics. Each chapter also includes an extensive bibliography. Conservation Biology in Sub-Saharan Africa provides the most up-to-date study in the field. It is an essential resource, available on-line without charge, for undergraduate and graduate students, as well as a handy guide for professionals working to stop the rapid loss of biodiversity in Sub-Saharan Africa and elsewhere. |
| diversity of life biology: Biogeography: A Very Short Introduction Mark V. Lomolino, 2020-07-23 Biogeography is the study of geographic variation in all characteristics of life - ranging from genetic, morphological and behavioural variation among regional populations of a species, to geographic trends in diversity of entire communities across our planet's sufrace. From the ancient hunters and gatherers to the earliest naturalists, Charles Darwin, Alfred Russel Wallace, and scientists today, the search for patterns in life has provided insights that proved invaluable for understanding the natural world. And many, if not most, of the compelling kaleidoscope of patterns in biological diversity make little sense unless placed in an explicit geographic context. The Very Short Introduction explains the historical development of the field of biogeography, its fundamental tenets, principles and tools, and the invaluable insights it provides for understanding the diversity of life in the natural world. As Mark Lomolino shows, key questions such as where species occur, how they vary from place to place, where their ancestors occurred, and how they spread across the globe, are essential for us to develop effective strategies for conserving the great menagerie of life across our planet. ABOUT THE SERIES: The Very Short Introductions series from Oxford University Press contains hundreds of titles in almost every subject area. These pocket-sized books are the perfect way to get ahead in a new subject quickly. Our expert authors combine facts, analysis, perspective, new ideas, and enthusiasm to make interesting and challenging topics highly readable. |
| diversity of life biology: How Life Increases Biodiversity David Seaborg, 2021-09-09 This book argues that organisms and their interactions create and maximize biodiversity. The evidence for this autocatalytic hypothesis has been collated and integrated into this provocative argument. Natural selection favors the increase of biodiversity. Organisms can be causative agents contributing to major macroevolutionary transitions. Species tend to have a net positive effect on biodiversity. All species are ecosystem engineers. Mutualism and commensalism are common and fundamental, and these coevolved interspecific interactions frequently generate enormous increases in biodiversity. Competition generally does not decrease biodiversity, and often leads to evolutionary innovation. Plants are ecosystem engineers that have made Earth more favorable to life and increased diversity in many ways. Herbivores and predators increase the diversity of the species they consume, and are necessary for ecosystem stability. Decomposers are essential to ecosystem health. All these examples illustrate the focus of this book – that organisms and their interactions stimulate biodiversity, and ecosystems maximize it. Key Features • Describes a hypothesis that life itself generates higher biodiversity • Suggests a highly modified version of the established paradigm in population biology and evolution • Asserts that all species are ecosystem engineers with a net positive effect on biodiversity and their ecosystems • Suggests that mutualism and commensalism are the rule • Presents a novel view likely to elicit deeper discussions of biodiversity Related Titles Dewdney, A. K. Stochastic Communities: A Mathematical Theory of Biodiversity (ISBN 978-1-138-19702-2) Curry, G. B. and C. J. Humphries, eds. Biodiversity Databases: Techniques, Politics, and Applications (ISBN 978-0-367-38916-1) Pullaiah, T, ed. Global Biodiversity. 4 Volume Set (ISBN 978-1-77188-751-9) |
| diversity of life biology: Biology Cecie Starr, Ralph Taggart, 1998 A biology text, covering the principles of cellular life, inheritance, and evolution; evolution and diversity; plant structure and function; animal structure and function; and ecology and behavior. Includes a CD-ROM that covers all concept spreads in the book. |
| diversity of life biology: Biodiversity Laura Perdew, 2019 It's a big world out there, and it's populated with millions of different species of plants, animals, and microorganisms! Available in paperback, Biodiversity: Explore the Diversity of Life on Earth with Science Activities for Kids introduces middle school readers to the evolution of life on Earth, beginning with the first single-celled organisms that emerged 3.8 billion years ago to the complex multi-celled organisms that exist today and make up the tree of life. Science-minded, hands-on experiments make this a book a fully immersive learning experience! |
| diversity of life biology: Biodiversity Steve Morton, Mark Lonsdale, Andy Sheppard, 2014-06-05 Australians have stewardship of a beautiful, diverse and unique environment. We have long had a sense that the biodiversity of this country is special. Yet, despite our sense of its importance, in many parts of our country biodiversity is in trouble. Given the economic, ecological and social importance of biodiversity to our nation, CSIRO has been conducting research into Australia's biodiversity for nearly 90 years. This research has not simply focused on quantifying the challenge, but also on identifying practical solutions for its sustainable management. Biodiversity: Science and Solutions for Australia aims to provide access to the latest scientific knowledge on Australia’s biodiversity in an engaging and clear format. The book describes the ancient origins and unique features of Australia’s species, as well as the current status of our biodiversity. It outlines tools for management and planning, highlights Indigenous perspectives on biodiversity, and looks at how Australia’s biodiversity interacts with agriculture, the resources sector, cities, and with our changing global environment. Importantly, it also shows that biodiversity is in the eye of the beholder: for some it is our life support system, for others it is a resource to be used, for others it is a precious cultural symbol. |
| diversity of life biology: Phylogenetic Diversity Rosa A. Scherson, Daniel P Faith, 2018-08-31 “Biodiversity” refers to the variety of life. It is now agreed that there is a “biodiversity crisis”, corresponding to extinction rates of species that may be 1000 times what is thought to be “normal”. Biodiversity science has a higher profile than ever, with the new Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services involving more than 120 countries and 1000s of scientists. At the same time, the discipline is re-evaluating its foundations – including its philosophy and even core definitions. The value of biodiversity is being debated. In this context, the tree of life (“phylogeny”) is emerging as an important way to look at biodiversity, with relevance cutting across current areas of concern – from the question of resilience within ecosystems, to conservation priorities for globally threatened species – while capturing the values of biodiversity that have been hard to quantify, including resilience and maintaining options for future generations. This increased appreciation of the importance of conserving “phylogenetic diversity”, from microbial communities in the human gut to global threatened species, has inevitably resulted in an explosion of new indices, methods, and case studies. This book recognizes and responds to the timely opportunity for synthesis and sharing experiences in practical applications. The book recognizes that the challenge of finding a synthesis, and building shared concepts and a shared toolbox, requires both an appreciation of the past and a look into the future. Thus, the book is organized as a flow from history, concepts and philosophy, through to methods and tools, and followed by selected case studies. A positive vision and plan of action emerges from these chapters, that includes coping with inevitable uncertainties, effectively communicating the importance of this “evolutionary heritage” to the public and to policy-makers, and ultimately contributing to biodiversity conservation policy from local to global scales. |
| diversity of life biology: Concepts and Values in Biodiversity Dirk Lanzerath, Minou Friele, 2014-01-23 Biodiversity may refer to the diversity of genes, species or ecosystems in general. These varying concepts of biodiversity occasionally lead to conflicts among researchers and policy makers, as each of them require a customized type of protection strategy. This book addresses the questions surrounding the merits of conserving an existing situation, evolutionary development or the intentional substitution of one genome, species or ecosystem for another. Any practical steps towards the protection of biodiversity demand a definition of that which is to be protected and, in turn, the motivations for protecting biodiversity. Is biodiversity a necessary model which is also useful, or does it carry intrinsic value? Debates like this are particularly complex when interested parties address it from different conceptual and moral perspectives. Comprised of three parts, each complemented by a short introductory paragraph, this collection presents a variety of approaches to this challenge. The chapters cover the perspectives of environmental scientists with expertise in evolutionary, environmental biology, systematic zoology and botany, as well as those of researchers with expertise in philosophy, ethics, politics, law and economics. This combination facilitates a truly interdisciplinary debate by highlighting hitherto unacknowledged implications that inform current academic and political debates on biodiversity and its protection. The book should be of interest to students and researchers of environment studies, biodiversity, environmental philosophy, ethics and management. |
| diversity of life biology: Biology Cecie Starr, 2003-01 NOT SOLD SEPARATELY. |
| diversity of life biology: The Value of Life Stephen R. Kellert, 1996 The Value of Life is an exploration of the actual and perceived importance of biological diversity for human beings and society. Stephen R. Kellert identifies ten basic values, which he describes as biologically based, inherent human tendencies that are greatly influenced and moderated by culture, learning, and experience. Drawing on 20 years of original research, he considers: the universal basis for how humans value nature differences in those values by gender, age, ethnicity, occupation, and geographic location how environment-related activities affect values variation in values relating to different species how vlaues vary across cultures policy and management implications Throughout the book, Kellert argues that the preservation of biodiversity is fundamentally linked to human well-being in the largest sense as he illustrates the importance of biological diversity to the human sociocultural and psychological condition. |
| diversity of life biology: Conservation Biogeography Richard J. Ladle, Robert J. Whittaker, 2011-01-11 CONSERVATION BIOGEOGRAPHY The Earth’s ecosystems are in the midst of an unprecedented period of change as a result of human action. Many habitats have been completely destroyed or divided into tiny fragments, others have been transformed through the introduction of new species, or the extinction of native plants and animals, while anthropogenic climate change now threatens to completely redraw the geographic map of life on this planet. The urgent need to understand and prescribe solutions to this complicated and interlinked set of pressing conservation issues has lead to the transformation of the venerable academic discipline of biogeography – the study of the geographic distribution of animals and plants. The newly emerged sub-discipline of conservation biogeography uses the conceptual tools and methods of biogeography to address real world conservation problems and to provide predictions about the fate of key species and ecosystems over the next century. This book provides the first comprehensive review of the field in a series of closely interlinked chapters addressing the central issues within this exciting and important subject. |
| diversity of life biology: Health of People, Health of Planet and Our Responsibility Wael Al-Delaimy, Veerabhadran Ramanathan, Marcelo Sánchez Sorondo, 2020-05-13 This open access book not only describes the challenges of climate disruption, but also presents solutions. The challenges described include air pollution, climate change, extreme weather, and related health impacts that range from heat stress, vector-borne diseases, food and water insecurity and chronic diseases to malnutrition and mental well-being. The influence of humans on climate change has been established through extensive published evidence and reports. However, the connections between climate change, the health of the planet and the impact on human health have not received the same level of attention. Therefore, the global focus on the public health impacts of climate change is a relatively recent area of interest. This focus is timely since scientists have concluded that changes in climate have led to new weather extremes such as floods, storms, heat waves, droughts and fires, in turn leading to more than 600,000 deaths and the displacement of nearly 4 billion people in the last 20 years. Previous work on the health impacts of climate change was limited mostly to epidemiologic approaches and outcomes and focused less on multidisciplinary, multi-faceted collaborations between physical scientists, public health researchers and policy makers. Further, there was little attention paid to faith-based and ethical approaches to the problem. The solutions and actions we explore in this book engage diverse sectors of civil society, faith leadership, and political leadership, all oriented by ethics, advocacy, and policy with a special focus on poor and vulnerable populations. The book highlights areas we think will resonate broadly with the public, faith leaders, researchers and students across disciplines including the humanities, and policy makers. |
| diversity of life biology: Species Richness Jonathan Adams, 2010-02-26 This is a readable, informative and up-to-date account of the patterns and controls on biodiversity. The author describes major trends in species richness, along with uncertainties in current knowledge. The various possible explanations for past and present species patterns are discussed and explained in an even-handed and accessible way. The implications of global climate change and habitat loss are considered, along with current strategies for preserving what we have. This book examines the state of current understanding of species richness patterns and their explanations. As well as the present day world, it deals with diversification and extinction, in the conservation of species richness, and the difficulties of assessing how many species remain to be discovered. The scientifically compelling subject of vegetation-climate interaction is considered in depth. Written in an accessible style, the author offers an up-to-date, rigorous and yet eminently comprehensible overview of the ecology and biogeography of species richness. He departs from the often heavy approach of earlier texts, without sacrificing rigor and depth of information and analysis. Prefacing with the aims of the book, Chapter 1 opens with an explanation of latitudinal gradients, including a description of major features of the striking gradients in species richness, exceptions to the rule, explanations, major theories and field and experimental tests. The following chapter plumbs the depth of time, including the nature of the fossil record, broad timescale diversity patterns, ecosystem changes during mass extinctions and glaciations and their influence on species richness. Chapters 3 and 4 consider hotspots and local scale patterns in species richness while Chapter 5 looks at the limitations and uncertainties on current estimates of richness, the last frontiers of species diversity and the process of identifying new life forms. The last three chapters cover humans and extinctions in history and prehistory, current habitat and global change, including the greenhouse effect, and the race to preserve what we still have, including parks, gene banks and laws. |
| diversity of life biology: Diversity of Organisms Caroline M. Pond, 1990 Describing the structure and habits of living organisms, including viruses, micro-organisms, plants and animals, this book considers how scientists acquire and use knowledge about these organisms to investigate their origins and relationships, and to explore basic biological mechanisms. The principles of the comparative method are explained, using examples from modern research. |
| diversity of life biology: Many: The Diversity of Life on Earth Nicola Davies, 2017-11-07 The more we study the world around us, the more living things we discover every day. The planet is full of millions of species of plants, birds, animals, and microbes, and every single one including us is part of a big, beautiful, complicated pattern. When humans interfere with parts of the pattern, by polluting the air and oceans, taking too much from the sea, and cutting down too many forests, animals and plants begin to disappear. What sort of world would it be if it went from having many types of living things to having just one?-- |
| diversity of life biology: The Routledge Handbook of Philosophy of Biodiversity Justin Garson, Anya Plutynski, Sahotra Sarkar, 2016-10-04 Biological diversity - or ‘biodiversity’ - is the degree of variation of life within an ecosystem. It is a relatively new topic of study but has grown enormously in recent years. Because of its interdisciplinary nature the very concept of biodiversity is the subject of debate amongst philosophers, biologists, geographers and environmentalists. The Routledge Handbook of Philosophy of Biodiversity is an outstanding reference source to the key topics and debates in this exciting subject. Comprising twenty-three chapters by a team of international contributors the Handbook is divided into six parts: Historical and sociological contexts, focusing on the emergence of the term and early attempts to measure biodiversity What is biodiversity? How should biodiversity be defined? How can biodiversity include entities at the edge of its boundaries, including microbial diversity and genetically engineered organisms? Why protect biodiversity? What can traditional environmental ethics contribute to biodiversity? Topics covered include anthropocentrism, intrinsic value, and ethical controversies surrounding the economics of biodiversity Measurement and methodology: including decision-theory and conservation, the use of indicators for biodiversity, and the changing use of genetics in biodiversity conservation Social contexts and global justice: including conservation and community conflicts and biodiversity and cultural values Biodiversity and other environmental values: How does biodiversity relate to other values like ecological restoration or ecological sustainability? Essential reading for students and researchers in philosophy, environmental science and environmental studies, and conservation management, it will also be extremely useful to those studying biodiversity in subjects such as biology and geography. |
Biology: Unity and Diversity of Life 13th Edition - College Board
1. Invitation to Biology 1.1 The Secret of Life on Earth p.3 & 19, The diversity of Foja Mountain cloud forest Essential Knowledge 2.A.1: All living systems require constant input of free …
The Diversity of Life - Harvard University Press
on biology and written for a broad readership, became the subject of the present book, The Diversity of Life, first published in 1992. Biodiversity, short for biological diversity, is defined as …
Module: Diversity of Life - bolton.ac.uk
This module aims to provide students with an introduction to the diverse nature of the living world through a consideration of the system of classification of organisms, evolutionary theories, and …
Fundamentals of Life Science: Diversity of Life, Evolution and ...
Describe how natural selection has resulted in the diversity of life on earth. Explain the processes by which animals acquire nutrients, water and oxygen, eliminate wastes, protect against …
ch1The Diversity of Life - De Anza College
Living organisms and many non-living things share three properties . Metabolism: All use energy . Homeostasis: All maintain stable internal conditions . Heredity: All have a genetic system that …
ORIGIN AND EVOLUTION OF LIFE AND INTRODUCTION TO …
Diversity and Evolution of Life 1 Origin and Evolution of Life and Introduction to Classification BIOLOGY Notes The planet earth came into existence sometime between 4 and 5 billion …
DNA Learning Center The Diversity of Life
Scientists have devised an orderly classification system for all diversity of life, which allows for easy identification and tracing of evolutionary connections. Organisms are placed into groups …
Concepts of Biology - Chapter 12 - DIVERSITY OF LIFE
Biologists map how organisms are related by constructing phylogenetic trees, which show when organisms evolved and shows relationships among different organisms (Figure 12.2). The 3 …
Biology The Unity And Diversity Of Life - old.wta.org
In this Tenth Edition of Biology: The Unity and Diversity of Life, the authors use the important connections among molecular structure, biological function, and evolution to encourage …
Introduction: Themes in the Study of Life - Brown Biology
Evolution: Unity and Diversity of Life! Evolution- change over time! Supports the idea that organisms living on Earth today are modified descendants of common ancestors.! Taxonomy- …
CHAPTER 1 Introduction: Themes in the Study of Life
Diversity via Evolution Evolution explains the diversity of life, both past and present •descent with modification through Natural Selection explains the diversity of life today as well as the fossil …
Evolution and diversity of life - nie.lk
•describe the conditions on earth before life •Describe the evolution of biological diversity since the biochemical evolution •State major events of four major geological eons and the evolution …
Biological Diversity: Protecting the variety of life on Earth
Biological diversity, or biodiversity in short, refers to all living organisms and the interactions among them. The term not only covers species diversity, but also genetic and ecosystem …
Chapter 1: Evolution, the Themes of Biology, and Scientific …
1.1 Use examples to illustrate each theme of this book. 1.2 Summarize how evolution accounts for the unity and diversity of life. 1.3 Discuss the scientific process. 1.4 Evaluate the contribution …
Name of textbook: Biology: The Unity and Diversity of Life …
Name of textbook: Biology: The Unity and Diversity of Life Edition: 12th Edition Author(s): Starr and Taggart Copyright: 2011 Big Idea 1: The process of evolution drives the diversity and unity …
Classification and Diversity of Life Forms - EOLSS
BIOLOGICAL SCIENCE FUNDAMENTALS AND SYSTEMATICS – Vol. II – Classification and Diversity of Life Forms - Alessandro Minelli, Giancarlo Contrafatto ©Encyclopedia of Life …
Themes in the Study of Life - JC Schools
The Overarching Theme of Biology: EVOLUTION ! EVOLUTION explains the unity and diversity that is observed in the natural world. " Examples of Unity within diversity: " Properties of life: ! …
Ten Unifying Themes in Biology - North Hunterdon-Voorhees …
Unity and diversity - biologists group the diversity of life into three domains : Bacteria, Archaea, and Eukarya. As diverse as life is, we can also find unity, such as a universal genetic code. …
CHAPTER 4 CARBON AND THE MOLECULAR DIVERSITY OF LIFE
Carbon enters the biosphere when photosynthetic organisms use the sun’s energy to transform CO2 into organic molecules, which are transferred to primary consumers. Carbon accounts for …
Biology: The Unity and Diversity of Life, Updated AP Edition
P® Edition reveals the biological world in wondrous detail. Packed with eye-catching photos and images, this best-selling text engages students with . pplications and activities that encourage …
Biology: Unity and Diversity of Life 13th Edition - College Board
1. Invitation to Biology 1.1 The Secret of Life on Earth p.3 & 19, The diversity of Foja Mountain cloud forest Essential Knowledge 2.A.1: All living systems require constant input of free …
The Diversity of Life - Harvard University Press
on biology and written for a broad readership, became the subject of the present book, The Diversity of Life, first published in 1992. Biodiversity, short for biological diversity, is defined as …
Module: Diversity of Life - bolton.ac.uk
This module aims to provide students with an introduction to the diverse nature of the living world through a consideration of the system of classification of organisms, evolutionary theories, and …
Fundamentals of Life Science: Diversity of Life, Evolution and ...
Describe how natural selection has resulted in the diversity of life on earth. Explain the processes by which animals acquire nutrients, water and oxygen, eliminate wastes, protect against …
ch1The Diversity of Life - De Anza College
Living organisms and many non-living things share three properties . Metabolism: All use energy . Homeostasis: All maintain stable internal conditions . Heredity: All have a genetic system that …
DNA Learning Center The Diversity of Life
Scientists have devised an orderly classification system for all diversity of life, which allows for easy identification and tracing of evolutionary connections. Organisms are placed into groups …
Concepts of Biology - Chapter 12 - DIVERSITY OF LIFE
Biologists map how organisms are related by constructing phylogenetic trees, which show when organisms evolved and shows relationships among different organisms (Figure 12.2). The 3 …
Introduction: Themes in the Study of Life - Brown Biology
Evolution: Unity and Diversity of Life! Evolution- change over time! Supports the idea that organisms living on Earth today are modified descendants of common ancestors.! Taxonomy- …
Biology The Unity And Diversity Of Life - old.wta.org
In this Tenth Edition of Biology: The Unity and Diversity of Life, the authors use the important connections among molecular structure, biological function, and evolution to encourage …
ORIGIN AND EVOLUTION OF LIFE AND INTRODUCTION …
Diversity and Evolution of Life 1 Origin and Evolution of Life and Introduction to Classification BIOLOGY Notes The planet earth came into existence sometime between 4 and 5 billion …
CHAPTER 1 Introduction: Themes in the Study of Life
Diversity via Evolution Evolution explains the diversity of life, both past and present •descent with modification through Natural Selection explains the diversity of life today as well as the fossil …
Evolution and diversity of life - nie.lk
•describe the conditions on earth before life •Describe the evolution of biological diversity since the biochemical evolution •State major events of four major geological eons and the evolution …
Biological Diversity: Protecting the variety of life on Earth
Biological diversity, or biodiversity in short, refers to all living organisms and the interactions among them. The term not only covers species diversity, but also genetic and ecosystem …
Name of textbook: Biology: The Unity and Diversity of Life …
Name of textbook: Biology: The Unity and Diversity of Life Edition: 12th Edition Author(s): Starr and Taggart Copyright: 2011 Big Idea 1: The process of evolution drives the diversity and unity …
Chapter 1: Evolution, the Themes of Biology, and Scientific …
1.1 Use examples to illustrate each theme of this book. 1.2 Summarize how evolution accounts for the unity and diversity of life. 1.3 Discuss the scientific process. 1.4 Evaluate the contribution of …
Themes in the Study of Life - JC Schools
The Overarching Theme of Biology: EVOLUTION ! EVOLUTION explains the unity and diversity that is observed in the natural world. " Examples of Unity within diversity: " Properties of life: ! …
Classification and Diversity of Life Forms - EOLSS
BIOLOGICAL SCIENCE FUNDAMENTALS AND SYSTEMATICS – Vol. II – Classification and Diversity of Life Forms - Alessandro Minelli, Giancarlo Contrafatto ©Encyclopedia of Life …
Ten Unifying Themes in Biology - North Hunterdon-Voorhees …
Unity and diversity - biologists group the diversity of life into three domains : Bacteria, Archaea, and Eukarya. As diverse as life is, we can also find unity, such as a universal genetic code. …
CHAPTER 4 CARBON AND THE MOLECULAR DIVERSITY …
Carbon enters the biosphere when photosynthetic organisms use the sun’s energy to transform CO2 into organic molecules, which are transferred to primary consumers. Carbon accounts for …
Biology: The Unity and Diversity of Life, Updated AP Edition
P® Edition reveals the biological world in wondrous detail. Packed with eye-catching photos and images, this best-selling text engages students with . pplications and activities that encourage …
