BIOL 2310 Chapter Notes - Chapter 1: Sustainable Development, Land Ethic, Critical Role
Document Summary
Biodiversity- includes all species, genetic variation, and biological communities and their ecosystem level interactions. Conservation biology- an integrated, multidisciplinary scientific field that had developed in response to the challenge of preserving species and ecosystems. The 3 main goals of conservation bio are: To document the full range of biodiversity. To investigate human impacts on species, genetic variation, and ecosystems. To develop practical approaches to prevent extinction, maintain genetic diversity, and protect and restore biological communities. Normative discipline- a field that embraces certain values and attempts to apply scientific methods to achieve those values. Sustainable development- development that best meets present and future human needs without damaging the environment and biodiversity. Land ethic- the idea of considering the ecosystem as a whole, including human populations. The untimely extinction of populations and species should be prevented. The diversity of species and the complexity of biological communities should be preserved. Science plays a critical role in our understanding of ecosystems.
