Examining Ecology

Exercises in Environmental Biology and Conservation

Paul A. Rees

• Publisher: Academic Press
• Year: 2017
• Print ISBN:
  9780128093542
• eBook ISBN:
  9780128096079
• Topic: Biological Sciences
• Subtopic: Ecology
• Index: Biological Sciences

Examining Ecology: Exercises in Environmental Biology and Conservation explains foundational ecological principles using a hands-on approach that features analyzing data, drawing graphs, and undertaking practical exercises that simulate field work. The book provides students and lecturers with real life examples to demonstrate basic principles. The book helps students, instructors, and those new to the field learn about the principles of ecology and conservation by completing a series of problems. Prior knowledge of the subject is not assumed; the work requires users to be able to perform simple calculations and draw graphs. Most of the exercises in the book have been used widely by the author's own students over a number of years, and many are based on real data from published research. Exercises are succinct with a broad number of options, which is a unique feature among similar books on this topic. The book is primarily intended as a resource for students, academics, and instructors studying, teaching, and working in zoology, ecology, biology, wildlife conservation and management, ecophysiology, behavioural ecology, population biology and ecology, environmental biology, or environmental science. Students will be able to progress through the book attempting each exercise in a logical sequence, beginning with basic principles and working up to more complex exercises. Alternatively they may wish to focus on specific chapters on specialist areas, e.g., population dynamics. Many of the exercises introduce students to mathematical methods (calculations, use of formulae, drawing of graphs, calculating simple statistics). Other exercises simulate fieldwork projects, allowing users to 'collect' and analyze data which would take considerable time and effort to collect in the field. - Facilitates learning about the principles of ecology and conservation biology through succinct, yet comprehensive real-life examples, problems, and exercises - Features authoritatively and consistently written foundational content in biodiversity, ecophysiology, behavioral ecology, and more, as well as abundant and diverse cases for applied use - Functions as a means of learning ecological and conservation-related principles by 'doing', e.g., by analyzing data, drawing graphs, and undertaking practical exercises that simulate field work, and more - Features approximately 150 photos and figures created and produced by the author

Chapter 1

Biodiversity and Taxonomy

Abstract

The exercises in this chapter examine the way in which scientists name, identify and classify organisms, patterns in biodiversity, factors affecting extinction and opportunities for the public to engage in biodiversity projects.

Keywords

Binomial system; biodiversity; citizen science; dichotomous key; extinction; historical ecology; introduced species; species diversity; taxonomy

This chapter contains exercises concerned with the diversity of living things, their identification and their classification.

Intended Learning Outcomes

On completion of this chapter you should be able to:

Explain the importance of taxonomy in ecological studies.

Distinguish between the vernacular and scientific names of organisms.

Explain why scientists use scientific names for organisms.

List the major taxonomic groups of animals in the correct hierarchical sequence from phylum to species.

Construct a simple dichotomous key.

Identify patterns in species diversity and abundance.

Explain the variety of ways in which new species may be identified in the wild and from among existing collections of organisms.

Identify reasons why island species are especially vulnerable to extinction.

Discuss problems with the accuracy of historical estimates of the sizes of wild animal populations.

Discuss methods for protecting indigenous species from introduced species.

List the benefits and shortcomings of citizen science projects designed to investigate ecological problems.

Use the lognormal distribution to investigate the pattern of species diversity.

Explain the ecological value of ancient ecosystems

Introduction

The Naming and Classification of Organisms

Each living thing has a scientific name that consists of two parts: the generic name and the specific name. For example, Panthera leo is the lion. Panthera is the name of the genus to which the animal belongs, and leo is the name of the species within this genus. The system used for naming organisms is called the binomial system and was devised by the Swedish biologist and physician Carl Linnaeus (Fig. 1.1). Where subspecies are recognised a trinomial name is used. For example Panther leo persica is the subspecies of the lion which occurs in India, the Asiatic lion. Once the full scientific name has been used it may be abbreviated: Panthera leo becomes P. leo and Panthera leo persica becomes P. l. persica. The individual specimen of a species upon which the first scientific description of that species was based is called the holotype.

Figure 1.1 Carl Linnaeus.

Animals are classified into taxa in a hierarchical manner. For example, the grey wolf is classified as follows:

Kingdom	Animalia
Phylum	Chordata
Class	Mammalia
Order	Carnivora
Family	Canidae
Genus	Canis
Species	lupus

Well-known species of organisms have common or vernacular names. These are often locally used names so the name of a particular species varies from place to...

Table of contents

• Cover image
• Title page
• Table of Contents
• Copyright
• Dedication
• Preface
• Acknowledgements
• Chapter 1. Biodiversity and Taxonomy
• Chapter 2. Abiotic Factors and Ecophysiology
• Chapter 3. Ecosystems, Energy and Nutrients
• Chapter 4. Determining Abundance and Distribution
• Chapter 5. Population Growth
• Chapter 6. Species Interactions
• Chapter 7. Behavioural Ecology and Ecological Genetics
• Chapter 8. Environmental Pollution and Perturbations
• Chapter 9. Conservation Biology
• Chapter 10. Statistics
• Chapter 11. Multiple Choice Questions
• Chapter 12. Answers to Exercises and Multiple Choice Tests
• Glossary
• Index