Trident ECOL100 Module 1 Case Latest 2019 April Question # 00600280 Course Code : ECOL100 Subject: Economics Due on: 04/12/2019 Posted On: 04/12/2019 06:05 AM Tutorials: 1 Rating: 4.7/5

Module 1 – Case

DEFINING AND MEASURING BIODIVERSITY

Assignment Overview

As we continue to develop the relationship between economics
and our natural world, we will focus on one concept that is studied regularly
in ecology and has become very important in both economics and the
sustainability of our planet: biodiversity.

In order to understand the significance of economic
principles in the biodiversity of our world, you must first understand what
biodiversity describes.

The following overview of biodiversity was adapted from In
World Resources Institute, World Conservation Union, and United Nations
Environment Programme, “Global Biodiversity Strategy,” 1992:

Biodiversity is the totality of genes, species, and
ecosystems in a region. Biodiversity can be divided into three hierarchical
categories—genes, species, and ecosystems—that describe quite different aspects
of living systems that scientists measure in different ways.

Genetic diversity refers to the variation of genes within
species. This covers distinct populations of the same species (such as the thousands
of traditional rice varieties in India) or genetic variation within a
population (high among Indian rhinos, and very low among cheetahs).

Species diversity refers to the variety of species within a
region. Such diversity can be measured in many ways, and scientists have not
settled on a single best method. The number of species in a region—its species
“richness”—is one often-used measure, but a more precise measurement,
“taxonomic diversity,” also considers the relationship of species to each
other. For example, an island with two species of birds and one species of
lizard has a greater taxonomic diversity than an island with three species of
birds but no lizards.

Ecosystem diversity is harder to measure than species or
genetic diversity because the “boundaries” of communities—associations of
species—and ecosystems are elusive. Nevertheless, as long as a consistent set
of criteria is used to define communities and ecosystems, their numbers and
distribution can be measured.

For additional resources on biodiversity read the article
link What is Biodiversity from the National Foundation for Wildlife and
Biodiversity from the National Geographic Society. For an in-depth review of
how biodiversity is measured read the article on Getting the Measure of Biodiversity.
These resources will help you address the questions in the following Case
Assignment.

Also, see the PowerPoint on Measuring Biodiversity by the
Canadian Museum of Nature.

Case Assignment

From the Background readings above, address the following questions
for your case assignment in the form of an essay. Complete a 2-3 page paper
using complete sentences for each question and APA formatting for citations.
Include any citations used to support your research. For additional
expectations, including how to organize your assignment, see the Assignment
Expectations below.

1. Define
biodiversity.

2. Why is
biodiversity important? What are some of the benefits of biodiversity?

3. How is
biodiversity measured?

4. What is
extinction? What is causing it today?

5. What is the
Endangered Species Act? What is it meant to do? (reflect on the economic
consequences of the Act as we will be delving into the topic later on)

6. What are some of
the most and least diverse species in your local area? Try the interactive map
called the “Map of Life” developed by a research team from both Yale University
and the University of Colorado Boulder (this tool is still in development). The
link can be found here: https://www.mol.org/location/32.045/-471.489/. You can
zoom into the map and find your local area (or another area of interest to
you). The example map below demonstrates the most diverse species in Tucson, AZ
as being birds, whereas palm plants have the least diversity. Describe your
chosen area in your essay and copy and paste the chart area showing the most
and least diverse species in your area (map of United States does not need to
be copied, only the species chart). Were you surprised by the results? Why or
why not?

7. Insects are the
largest and most diverse group of organisms on Earth. Select one insect species
from your local area (click on the insect species from the Map of Life to learn
more) and describe its importance to humans (medicine, research, agriculture,
aesthetics, etc). Include an image of your chosen insect within your essay.

8. What can you do
as an individual to help slow the loss of biodiversity?

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Assignment Expectations

Organize this essay assignment using subtitles that
summarize the topic from each question above. For example, to answer Question
1, use a descriptive subtitle like the following: The Definition of
Biodiversity.

Answer each question under the subtitle using complete
sentences that relate back to the question. Be sure to use APA formatting
throughout your essay with 1-inch margins, 12-point type, and double spacing
throughout. Include a title page, introduction, answers to the questions with
subtitles, and concluding paragraph. Remember to include in-text citations
within the body of the essay referencing your resources (e.g., Murray, 2014).
Also, be sure to include a reference section at the end of your assignment
listing all required readings and any additional resources you used to complete
your essay. A helpful guide to writing a quality essay can be found in
Trident’s Student Guide to Writing a High-Quality Academic Paper. This guide
also provides links to example essays written in APA format.

Direct quotes should be limited and must be designated by
quotation marks. Paraphrased ideas must give credit to the original author, for
example: (Murray, 2014). Direct copying from “homework help” websites will not
receive credit. Once you have completed your assignment within a Word document,
please upload your final version to the Case 1 Dropbox. Please also note your
Turnitin originality score and make revisions as needed. Please contact your
instructor with any questions.