S60 SUPPLEMENT 10
- Choose a particular animal or plant species that interests
you and use the library or the Internet to fi nd out (a) its
numbers and distribution, (b) whether it is threatened
with extinction, (c) the major future threats to its survival,
(d) actions that are being taken to help sustain this species,
and(e) a type of reconciliation ecology that might be useful
in sustaining this species.
CHAPTER 10 Sustaining Terrestrial Biodiversity:
The Ecosystem Approach- If possible, try to visit (a) a diverse old-growth forest, (b) an
area that has been recently clear-cut, and (c) an area that
was clear-cut 5–10 years ago. Compare the biodiversity, soil
erosion, and signs of rapid water runoff in each of these
areas. - For many decades, New Zealand has had a policy of meeting
all its demand for wood and wood products by growing tim-
ber on intensively managed tree plantations. Use the library
or Internet to evaluate the effectiveness of this approach and
its major advantages and disadvantages. - Try to fi nd an area near where you live that includes a de-
graded ecosystem. Assume you are the conservation biologist
in charge of restoring the ecosystem, and write a fi ve-step
plan for completing the project. Would your plan involve use
of reconciliation ecology? Explain.
4. Use the library or the Internet to fi nd one example of a
successful ecological restoration project not discussed in
this chapter and an example of one that failed. For each
example, describe the strategy used, the ecological principles
involved, and why the project succeeded or failed.
CHAPTER 11 Sustaining Aquatic Biodiversity
- Survey the condition of a nearby wetland, coastal area, river,
or stream and research its history. Has its condition improved
or deteriorated during the last 10 years? What local, state, or
national efforts are being used to protect this aquatic system?
Develop a plan for protecting it. - Pick a major seafood species and describe its life cycle,
including its reproductive cycle. Find out if the species has
been overfi shed, and if so, where in the world it has been
depleted, to what degree, and by what methods. Describe
your fi ndings. Write a brief script for telling a friend or rela-
tive why you would or would not recommend choosing that
species from a seafood restaurant menu. - Work with your classmates to develop an experiment in
aquatic reconciliation ecology for your campus or local com-
munity.