Biodiversity
Biodiversity | Mass Extinction and Biodiversity Loss: An Overview
Zoo biologist Edward J. Maruska can remember exploring the rain forests of Costa Rica in the late 1970s, when thousands of shimmering golden toads gathered in ponds of the mist-shrouded Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve to breed.
But all the toads had vanished by the 1980s. Scientists believe that the spectacular toads, easily recognized by the males’ bright orange color, fell victim to disease, changing climate patterns or pollution.
“They were so unique,” recalls Maruska, executive director of the Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden. “Then they were gone.”
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- Introduction
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Chapter 1: Is Declining Biodiversity a Serious Ecological Problem?
- Mass Extinction and Biodiversity Loss: An Overview
- Loss of Biodiversity Is a Global Crisis
- Declining Biodiversity Can Adversely Affect Local Environments
- Invading Species Threaten America’s Biodiversity and Environment
- Declining Biodiversity Is a Serious Crisis in Hawaii
- The Extent and Ramifications of Loss of Biodiversity Are Difficult to Assess
- The Importance of Biodiversity to Ecosystem Health Is in Dispute
- Invading Species May Be Beneficial to America’s Ecosystems
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Chapter 2:What Are the Leading Threats to Biodiversity?
- Chapter 2 Preface
- Past and Present Human Actions Contribute to Loss of Biodiversity
- Habitat Loss Threatens Biodiversity in the United States
- Global Climate Change Threatens Biodiversity
- The Threat of Global Climate Change to Biodiversity Is Exaggerated
- Urban Sprawl Threatens Biodiversity
- Urban Sprawl May Not Threaten Biodiversity
- Damming Rivers Threatens Freshwater Biodiversity
- Reckless Exploitation of Ocean Resources Threatens Marine Biodiversity
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Chapter 3: Are Commercial Farming Practices Harming Agricultural Biodiversity?
- Chapter 3 Preface
- Commercial Agriculture Is Detrimental to Biodiversity
- Commercial Farming Practices Threaten the Genetic Diversity of Farm Animals
- Capitalism Threatens Agricultural Biodiversity
- Corporate Control over Genetic Resources Threatens Biodiversity
- Commercial High-Yield Farming Practices Preserve Biodiversity
- Genetic Engineering May Be a Boon to Biodiversity
- The Free Market Can Enhance Agricultural Biodiversity
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Chapter 4: How Can the World’s Biological Diversity Best Be Preserved?
- The Search for Biodiversity Solutions: An Overview
- Conservation Efforts Should Focus on Biodiversity “Hotspots”
- Conservation Efforts Should Not Focus on Biodiversity “Hotspots”
- The Convention on Biological Diversity Helps Protect Biodiversity Through Sustainable Development
- The Convention on Biological Diversity Is Extremist and Harmful
- Sustainable Development and Biodiversity Preservation Are Incompatible Goals
- Stabilizing Human Population Growth Would Help Preserve Biodiversity
- Governments Should Reduce Resource Exploitation
- Preserving Cultural and Linguistic Diversity Can Help Protect Biological Diversity
- Glossary
- Organizations to Contact
- Bibliography
- Copyright
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