Biodiversity in the Age of Humans

Lecture 2 – Humans, Biodiversity, and Habitat Loss

by Elizabeth A. Hadly, PhD

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1. Start of Lecture Two
2. The Yellowstone ecosystem is a place where iconic species interact
3. Species-level biodiversity reflects differences across the species' range
4. Populations are made up of individuals that comprise the greater ecosystem
5. Genetic variation is sometimes neglected in studies of biodiversity
6. The Yellowstone ecosystem has all of its prehistoric fauna
7. Climate change and habitat loss are the main threats to biodiversity
8. Humans caused the extinction of many animals in the late Pleistocene
9. Elephants and rhinos are under extreme threats from humans
10. Pangolins are the most heavily trafficked animal on the planet
11. Exponential human population growth threatens many species
12. Humans and our commensal animals dominate mammalian biomass
13. Fifty-one percent of the planet has been transformed for human use
14. Global temperatures are reaching levels not seen for millions of years
15. A combination of environmental threats are driving animals to extinction

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