Table of contents

1. Introduction to Biology2h 42m
2. Chemistry3h 37m
3. Water1h 26m
4. Biomolecules2h 23m
5. Cell Components2h 26m
6. The Membrane2h 31m
7. Energy and Metabolism2h 0m
8. Respiration2h 40m
9. Photosynthesis2h 49m
10. Cell Signaling59m
11. Cell Division2h 47m
12. Meiosis2h 0m
13. Mendelian Genetics4h 44m
14. DNA Synthesis2h 27m
15. Gene Expression3h 6m
16. Regulation of Expression3h 31m
17. Viruses37m
- Viruses
  37m
18. Biotechnology2h 58m
19. Genomics17m
- Genomes
  17m
20. Development1h 5m
21. Evolution3h 1m
22. Evolution of Populations3h 53m
23. Speciation1h 37m
24. History of Life on Earth2h 6m
25. Phylogeny2h 31m
26. Prokaryotes4h 59m
27. Protists1h 12m
28. Plants1h 22m
29. Fungi36m
- Fungi
  19m
- Fungi Reproduction
  17m
30. Overview of Animals34m
- Overview of Animals
  34m
31. Invertebrates1h 2m
32. Vertebrates50m
33. Plant Anatomy1h 3m
34. Vascular Plant Transport1h 2m
- Water Potential
  1h 2m
35. Soil37m
- Soil and Nutrients
  20m
- Nitrogen Fixation
  16m
36. Plant Reproduction47m
- Flowers
  33m
- Seeds
  14m
37. Plant Sensation and Response1h 9m
38. Animal Form and Function1h 19m
39. Digestive System1h 10m
- Digestion
  1h 3m
- Blood Sugar Homeostasis
  7m
40. Circulatory System1h 49m
41. Immune System1h 12m
42. Osmoregulation and Excretion50m
- Osmoregulation and Excretion
  50m
43. Endocrine System1h 4m
- Endocrine System
  1h 4m
44. Animal Reproduction1h 2m
- Animal Reproduction
  1h 2m
45. Nervous System1h 55m
- Neurons and Action Potentials
  1h 8m
- Central and Peripheral Nervous System
  46m
46. Sensory Systems46m
- Sensory System
  46m
47. Muscle Systems23m
- Musculoskeletal System
  23m
48. Ecology3h 11m
49. Animal Behavior28m
- Animal Behavior
  28m
50. Population Ecology3h 41m
51. Community Ecology2h 46m
52. Ecosystems2h 36m
53. Conservation Biology24m
- Conservation Biology
  24m

53. Conservation Biology

Conservation Biology

General Biology

53. Conservation Biology

Conservation Biology

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1:32 minutes

Problem 6

Textbook Question

Biologists claim that the all-taxa survey now under way at the Great Smoky Mountains National Park in the United States will improve their ability to estimate the total number of species living today. Discuss the benefits and limitations that this data set will provide in understanding the extent of global biodiversity.

Verified step by step guidance

Identify the purpose of the all-taxa survey: The all-taxa survey aims to catalog every species within the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Understanding the purpose helps in assessing how the data might influence broader biodiversity estimates.

Discuss the benefits of the survey: The survey provides a comprehensive inventory of species in a specific area, which can serve as a reference point for biodiversity. It helps in identifying new species, understanding species distribution, and providing data for conservation efforts.

Consider the representativeness of the data: While the survey provides detailed local biodiversity information, one limitation is its geographic specificity. The data from one region (even if thoroughly collected) may not be fully representative of global biodiversity patterns.

Evaluate the impact on global biodiversity estimates: The survey can improve models and methods for estimating global biodiversity by providing high-quality, localized data. However, extrapolating this data to a global scale requires careful consideration of biogeographic and ecological differences.

Analyze the implications for conservation and policy: The detailed data can inform more targeted conservation strategies and policies at both local and global levels. However, the focus on one location might divert attention or resources from other areas that are less studied but equally important for global biodiversity.

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Key Concepts

Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.

Biodiversity

Biodiversity refers to the variety of life forms within a given ecosystem, region, or on the entire planet. It encompasses the diversity of species, genetic variations, and the ecosystems they inhabit. Understanding biodiversity is crucial for assessing the health of ecosystems and the services they provide, such as food, clean water, and climate regulation.

All-Taxa Survey

An all-taxa survey is a comprehensive approach to cataloging all species within a specific area, regardless of their taxonomic group. This method aims to provide a complete inventory of biodiversity, which can help identify species richness, distribution, and ecological interactions. Such surveys are essential for conservation efforts and understanding ecological dynamics.

Data Limitations

While data from all-taxa surveys can significantly enhance our understanding of biodiversity, there are inherent limitations. These include potential biases in species detection, incomplete sampling, and the challenge of identifying cryptic species. Additionally, the data may not fully represent temporal changes in biodiversity, making it essential to interpret findings with caution.

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Textbook Question

Which cause of extinction results from humans' direct use of a species?

a. Overexploitation

b. Habitat fragmentation

c. Pollution

d. Introduction of competitors or predators

e. Global warming

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Textbook Question

Which of the following statements about protected areas established to preserve biodiversity is true?

a. About 25% of Earth's land area is now protected

b. National parks are the only type of protected area

c. Management of a protected area does not need to be coordinated with management of the surrounding area

d. It is especially important to protect biodiversity hot spots

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Textbook Question

Of the following statements about protected areas that have been established to preserve biodiversity, which one is not correct?

a. About 25% of Earth's land area is now protected.

b. National parks are one of many types of protected areas.

c. Management of a protected area should be coordinated with management of the land surrounding the area.

d. It is especially important to protect biodiversity hot spots.

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Textbook Question

Movement corridors are

a. The routes taken by migratory animals.

b. Strips or clumps of habitat that connect isolated fragments of habitat.

c. Landscapes that include several different ecosystems.

d. Edges, or boundaries, between ecosystems.

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Textbook Question

With limited resources, conservation biologists need to prioritize their efforts. Of the following choices, which should receive the greatest attention for the goal of conserving biodiversity?

a. A commercially important species

b. All endangered vertebrate species

c. A declining keystone species in a community

d. All endangered species

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Textbook Question

Some biologists prefer to focus efforts on preserving endangered species while others prefer to focus on preserving ecosystems. What is your advice to biologists, based on the evidence?

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Textbook Question

Which of the following human activities generates the most carbon dioxide?

a. Driving

b. Cooking

c. Bathing

d. Using aerosol sprays

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Textbook Question

Which of the following statements about protected areas is not correct?a. We now protect 25% of the land areas of the planet.b. National parks are only one type of protected area.c. Most reserves are smaller in size than the ranges of some of the species they are meant to protect.d. Management of protected areas must coordinate with the management of lands outside the protected zone.