BIO 280 ENTIRE COURSE

BIO 280 Week 1 Individual Assignment Biodiversity Worksheet

Resources: Ch. 1, 2, & 3 of Fundamentals of Conservation Biology; the Internet; and the University
Library
Complete the Biodiversity Worksheet.

In a total of 350 to 700 words, answer the following questions about diversity. Cite at least two
references while answering the questions.

Question Response
What is conservation biology? What is biodiversity?
What is a species?
What is the difference between a threatened species, an endangered species, and an extinct
species?
Provide a detailed definition. Compare what is meant by a threatened species, an endangered
species, and an extinct species and provide an example of each.
Explain how different species contribute to biodiversity and why conservation biologists are concerned
with specific species.
BIO 280 Week 2 Individual Assignment Acting Locally Paper Part
One
Resources: Ch. 3 & 4 of Fundamentals of Conservation Biology, the Internet, and the University
Library
Choose a pair of related aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems to research. Your choices must meet the
following criteria:

The aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems must be closely associated: for example, a fen
(aquatic) in an alpine meadow or forest (terrestrial), an islet (terrestrial) in a marine bay
(aquatic), or a river system (aquatic) in a desert (terrestrial) would be appropriate.
At least one endangered species, as identified in the IUCN Red List or by a government
wildlife or natural resource agency, must be present in one or both of the ecosystems.
The pair of ecosystems must be in your local region or in an area of personal significance.

Write a 700- to 1,050-word paper about the ecosystems you have chosen and the species that make
up these ecosystems. Include the following items:

Identify and describe the pair of ecosystems.

Describe three species in each of your ecosystems, including at least one plant and one
animal from each. Evaluate each of these species based on its intrinsic value, its instrumental
value, and its uniqueness value. Include at least one endangered species in this description
and analysis.
Summarize how the components of your ecosystems interact with one another, and explain
the value of each ecosystem in terms of its components. Describe how ecosystem diversity
and species diversity are related, and how each ecosystem relates to the landscape.

Cite at least three references.

Format your paper consistent with APA guidelines
BIO 280 Week 3 Individual Assignment Ecosystems and Economics
Paper
Resources: Ch. 8, 15, & 16 ofFundamentals of Conservation Biology; the Internet; and the University
Library
Create a brochure about human society's impact on ecosystems and the costs and benefits of human
enterprise. Include the following:

Explain how ecosystem degradation and loss results from human society.
 Describe the effects of human activity on plants, animals, and ecosystem dynamics, and
provide specific examples.
Describe the economic decisions underlying conservation and exploitation. Explain the costs
and benefits of human enterprise in terms of ecosystems, and provide specific examples.

Use images as appropriate.

Cite at least two references consistent with APA guidelines
BIO 280 Week 3 Learning Team Assignment Extinction and Invasive
Species Presentation
Resources: Ch. 610 of Fundamentals of Conservation Biology, the Internet, and the University
Library
Prepare a 10- to 15-slide MicrosoftPowerPoint presentation of vital information on the endangered
species your Learning Team selected in Week Two.
Include the following elements in your presentation:

Describe your endangered species and include images or charts illustrating the species and
its peril. Explain why this species is endangered and what extinction threats it faces.
Describe invasive species and explain the role of invasive exotics in threatening your
endangered species.
Describe at least one prehistoric mass extinction event and at least one historical extinction
with parallels to the extinction threats facing your species. Compare the past extinctions with
the current extinction threat facing this endangered species. In your comparison, address
discrepancies between rates of extinction, estimated population sizes and geographic
distribution before extinction, and probable causes of extinction for the current threat and past
extinction events.

Cite at least five references, including at least two scholarly sources.

Format your references slide consistent with APA guidelines.
BIO 280 Week 4 Individual Assignment Acting Locally Paper Part
Two
Resources: Ch. 9, 11, 12, & 17 ofFundamentals of Conservation Biology; the Internet; and the
University Library
Write a 1,050- to 1,400-word paper about the ecosystems you have chosen and the species that
make up these ecosystems. In your paper, include the following items:

Describe your pair of ecosystems and the types of current or proposed exploitation in one or
both ecosystems. Explain the past, present, and potential future consequences of
overexploitation in these ecosystems. Describe the potential costs and benefits of at least two
exploitation activities.
Explain current and potential management of your ecosystems. How can modification,
cultivation, or restoration alter these ecosystems? Outline at least two potential management
plans beyond cessation of exploitation, and describe the costs and benefits of each.
Prioritize conservation efforts in your pair of ecosystems based on values and the principles
of conservation biology by including the following elements:
o Prioritize species and ecosystems for protection based on the values identified in the
Acting Locally Paper Part One.
o Describe a regional or global threat to your ecosystems, such as global climate
change, and outline a plan to combat this threat.
o Rank the priorities of continuing or ceasing exploitation activities, of alternative
management plans, and of the plan to combat the regional or global threat to
biodiversity.
o Defend your prioritization based on specific values and on your plans overall effect
on biodiversity, ecological integrity, and economic feasibility.
Identify at least two specific practical actions and at least two specific political actions you can
take to support the top priorities you have identified for the pair of ecosystems. Interpret how
these specific actions can support conservation and biodiversity.
Cite at least four references.
Format your paper consistent with APA guidelines.
BIO 280 Week 5 Individual Assignment Genetically Vigorous
Populations Paper
Resources: Ch. 5, 13, & 14 of Fundamentals of Conservation Biology; the Internet; and the University
Library
Write a 1,050- to 1,400-word paper about genetically vigorous populations. Include the following
items:

Describe the importance of genetic diversity in populations. Explain how genetic diversity in
plants and animals supports long-term viability, biodiversity, and biotic integrity. Describe
specific examples of at least one plant population and at least one animal population facing
challenges in genetic diversity, and explain the potential or demonstrated threats to viability
posed by deficient genetic diversity.
Describe the values underlying population management. Relate genetic diversity to the
success of population management. Explain the costs and benefits in successful population
management. Provide at least two specific examples of current and past population
management efforts.
Compare ex situ conservation to in situ conservation. Describe the role of zoos, aquariums,
and botanical gardens in conservation. Explain the efforts of these institutions to support
genetically vigorous populations.
Explain why the Endangered Species Act was created to promote conservation of plants and
animals.

Cite at least six references, including at least two scholarly sources.

Format your paper consistent with APA guidelines.