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

Previous problemNext problem

2:09 minutes

Problem 7

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

Verified step by step guidance

Understand the concept of biodiversity conservation: Biodiversity conservation focuses on maintaining the variety of life forms in ecosystems, including species, genetic diversity, and ecological processes. Conservation biologists aim to protect species that play critical roles in ecosystems or are at risk of extinction.

Define key terms: A keystone species is one that has a disproportionately large impact on its ecosystem relative to its abundance. Its removal can lead to significant changes in the structure and function of the ecosystem. Endangered species are those at risk of extinction, and commercially important species are those valued for economic purposes.

Evaluate the options: Consider the ecological importance of each choice. While endangered species are important, prioritizing all endangered species may not be feasible due to limited resources. Commercially important species may not necessarily contribute significantly to ecosystem stability. Keystone species, however, are critical for maintaining ecosystem balance and biodiversity.

Apply prioritization principles: Conservation efforts often focus on species that have the greatest impact on ecosystem health and stability. Declining keystone species are particularly important because their loss can lead to cascading effects that harm other species and the ecosystem as a whole.

Conclude the reasoning: Based on the goal of conserving biodiversity, the declining keystone species should receive the greatest attention. This approach ensures the preservation of ecosystem integrity and supports the survival of other species within the community.

Verified video answer for a similar problem:

This video solution was recommended by our tutors as helpful for the problem above

Video duration:

Play a video:

Was this helpful?

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, including the diversity of species, genetic variations, and ecological processes. It is crucial for ecosystem resilience, providing essential services such as pollination, nutrient cycling, and climate regulation. Conserving biodiversity helps maintain the balance of ecosystems, which is vital for the survival of all species, including humans.

Keystone Species

A keystone species is one that has a disproportionately large impact on its environment relative to its abundance. These species play critical roles in maintaining the structure of an ecological community, influencing the types and numbers of other species present. Protecting keystone species is essential for conserving biodiversity, as their decline can lead to significant changes in ecosystem dynamics and the loss of other species.

Endangered Species

Endangered species are those at risk of extinction due to factors such as habitat loss, pollution, overexploitation, and climate change. Conservation efforts often focus on these species to prevent their extinction and to preserve the ecosystems they inhabit. Protecting endangered species is vital for maintaining biodiversity, as their loss can disrupt ecological balance and lead to further declines in other species.

Watch next

Master Conservation Biology and Biodiversity with a bite sized video explanation from Jason

Start learning

Related Videos

Related Practice

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

1391

views

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.

910

views

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.

1017

views

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.

663

views

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?

623

views

Textbook Question

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

a. Driving

b. Cooking

c. Bathing

d. Using aerosol sprays

835

views

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.