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
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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 information on biodiversity read the article Biodiversity from the National Wildlife Federation.
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.
Define biodiversity.
Why is biodiversity important? What are some of the benefits of biodiversity?
How is biodiversity measured?
What is extinction? What is causing it today?
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)
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. The link can be found at https://www.mol.org/location/32.045/-471.489/.
Select “Locations” from the menu bar at the top right. Once the map pulls up, you can select an area of
interest to you. For instance, clicking on the state of Arizona the data should indicate the greatest diversity
is found in bird species (394) and the least in palms (1).
Select an area of interest to you to describe in your essay. 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.
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.
What can you do as an individual to help slow the loss of biodiversity?
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 BiodiversityAnswer 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.