Lecture 31 - Why So Many Species? The Factors Affecting Biodiversity

One can look at biodiversity from several perspectives. An ecological point of view tries to determine how necessary diversity is for an ecosystem to function. An economic point of view tries to capture the value of the "services" nature provides for mankind. An evolutionary point of view shows how artificial the human "right" to dominance is. Finally, a personal point of view captures the emotional basis for the values that humans place on biodiversity. Reading assignment: Cotgreave, Peter and Irwin Forseth. Introductory Ecology, chapter 14