16  •  Conservation and Biodiversity 649

Human influences on the environment

Biodiversity—of genes, species, and ecosystems—is valuable in many ways. 650

16.1

Biodiversity can have many types of value. 650

16.2

This is how we do it: When 200,000 tons of methane disappears, how do you find it? 652

16.3

Biodiversity occurs at multiple levels. 654

16.4

Where is most biodiversity? 655

Extinction reduces biodiversity. 658

16.5

There are multiple causes of extinction. 658

16.6

We are in the midst of a mass extinction. 660

Human activities can have disruptive environmental impacts. 662

16.7

Some ecosystem disturbances are reversible, others are not. 662

16.8

Human activities can damage the environment: 1. Introduced non-native species may wipe out native organisms. 664

16.9

Human activities can damage the environment: 2. Acid rain harms forests and aquatic ecosystems. 666

16.10

Human activities can damage the environment: 3. The release of greenhouse gases can influence the global climate. 669

16.11

Human activities can damage the environment: 4. Deforestation of rain forests causes loss of species and the release of carbon. 671

We can develop strategies for effective conservation. 674

16.12

Reversing ozone layer depletion illustrates the power of good science, effective policymaking, and international cooperation. 674

16.13

With limited conservation resources, we must prioritize which species should be preserved. 676

16.14

There are multiple effective strategies for preserving biodiversity. 678

StreetBIO: KNOWLEDGE YOU CAN USE

The perils of (exotic) pets! 680