Evolution, Ecology and Behavior with Stephen C. Stearns - 31. Why So Many Species? The Factors Affecting Biodiversity

Principles of Evolution, Ecology and Behavior (EEB 122) 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. 00:00 - Chapter 1. Introduction 05:39 - Chapter 2. The Ecological Perspective 11:45 - Chapter 3. The Economic Perspective 21:12 - Chapter 4. The Evolutionary Perspective 26:18 - Chapter 5. The Personal Perspective 33:01 - Chapter 6. What to Do? 45:28 - Chapter 7. Conclusion Complete course materials are available at the Open Yale Courses website: http://open.yale.edu/courses This course was recorded in Spring 2009.