Biodiversity in the Age of Humans

The lecture discusses biodiversity in the context of human impact, focusing on the Yellowstone ecosystem. It highlights the threats posed by climate change, habitat loss, and human population growth. The lecture also covers the historical impact of humans on megafauna and the importance of conservation efforts to protect biodiversity.

Who are the three experts giving the lectures in the series?

• Dr. Anthony Barnosky, Dr. Elizabeth Hadly, and Dr. Stephen Palumbi

• Dr. Jane Goodall, Dr. David Attenborough, and Dr. E.O. Wilson

• Dr. Richard Dawkins, Dr. Neil deGrasse Tyson, and Dr. Brian Cox

• Dr. Sylvia Earle, Dr. James Hansen, and Dr. Paul Ehrlich

What is the significance of Yellowstone National Park?

• It is the largest national park in the world.

• It has the highest number of visitors annually.

• It was the first national park in the world.

• It is the only park with grizzly bears.

What are the two major threats to biodiversity mentioned by Dr. Hadly?

• Invasive species and poaching

• Climate change and ecosystem loss

• Pollution and overfishing

• Deforestation and urbanization

What event is associated with the extinction of large-bodied mammals 10,000 years ago?

• The Cambrian Explosion

• The Industrial Revolution

• The Late Pleistocene Extinction Event

• The Holocene Extinction

What is the projected human population by the year 2100 if we only replace ourselves?

• 27 billion

• 14 billion

• 10 billion

• 8 billion

What percentage of the planet has been transformed for human use as of this year?

• 25%

• 75%

• 40%

• 51%

What is the significance of the 'hockey stick graph' in the context of climate change?

• It illustrates the rise in global average temperatures.

• It depicts the decline in biodiversity.

• It shows the increase in human population over time.

• It represents the growth of urban areas.

What is happening to the ice on Kilimanjaro according to Dr. Hadly?

• It is increasing due to colder temperatures.

• It is being preserved through conservation efforts.

• It remains stable despite climate change.

• It is rapidly melting and will soon disappear.

What invasive species has significantly impacted the native cutthroat trout in Yellowstone Lake?

• Lake trout

• Asian carp

• Zebra mussels

• Brown trout

What disease is affecting amphibians in Yellowstone National Park?

• White-nose syndrome

• Mad cow disease

• Chytrid fungus

• Avian flu