Because it is impractical or impossible to count every individual in most populations or communities (groups of populations), biologists measure biodiversity by first sampling the organisms and then extrapolating to estimate the total number of organisms. For example, to compare the number of bird species in different types of forest, biologists record the number and species of individual birds encountered at randomly selected locations within each forest type.

Research. Conducting research can be a satisfying and challenging experience that runs the gamut from the exhilaration of new discovery to the day-to-day tedium of repetitive experiments. Depending upon their interests and place of employment, biologists may engage in basic or applied research. Basic research is pure science motivated by the need to answer questions about how organisms function or evolve. It is often curiosity-driven and it allows scientists to create new knowledge. See similar questions...

Biodiversity is the full variety of all life forms: plants, animals, their genes, and the ecosystems that these organisms are a part of. See similar questions...

Biodiversity, also called "biological diversity" or "ecological diversity", refers to the variety of life on earth. Biodiversity is often looked at on three levels - the ecosystem level, the species level, and the genetic level. An ecosystem includes all the plants and animals in an area, together with their physical-chemical environment. Examples of ecosystems include prairies, forests, and wetlands. See similar questions...

The word biodiversity is difficult to grasp, because it covers a vast store of thought and knowledge. Should you wish to equip yourself with this knowledge, read Seafriends/conservation/biodiversity. A rough idea of biodiversity is all species, including plants, bacteria, viruses, pests, diseases and so on. Since the only thing a marine reserve does, is to stop fishing, a marine reserve makes a difference only to those species that are fished. See similar questions...

Many environmentalists, including farmers themselves, are very concerned about the loss of biodiversity. Although the increased adoption of conventionally bred crops has raised similar concerns, we want to make sure that we maintain the pool of genetic diversity needed for time the future. Scientists continue to work actively to preserve plant species through the preservation of genetic material (DNA) in lab facilities and field plots around the world. See similar questions...

There exists great confusion worldwide as to what biodiversity and habitats are, as these ideas live mainly in our minds rather than out there in nature. Biodiversity is the 'confusion' of life, created in response to external factors. Change the factors, and life's biodiversity adapts likewise. So biodiversity is not a constant thing. Where humans change habitats, wildlife adapts, and remember that in the sea very little habitat change has happened. See similar questions...

In general, biologists earn middle-income salaries that are adequate to support a family and enjoy a comfortable standard of living. Salaries vary, of course, depending upon training, level of experience, and geographical area. According to the Occupational Outlook Handbook (1996-1997), the typical salary of a biological scientist with a graduate degree was about $37,500 in 1994 - 10 percent earning less than $16,300 and 10 percent earning over $67,000. See similar questions...

To get a good overview of the type of work our biologists are involved in, you are encouraged to "visit" our individual science centers by clicking on the interactive map at http://biology.usgs.gov/pub_aff/centers.html. If you wish to pursue an interest with a specific center, contact information is given at each Web site. All positions with the U.S. Geological Survey are posted on the online Jobs Bulletin http://www.usajobs.opm.gov/a.htm. Federal salaries can be found at http://www. See similar questions...

Yes. The evolution professor e-mailed me twice and asked if I would give him the specific thrust of the talk. And I was hustling to get this prepared anyway and didn't fully know, you know, exactly what I was going to be saying, so I just said, "Well, why don't you come to the talk?" MR. IRIGONEGARAY: Excuse me a second, Mr. Calvert. Pursuant to the rules, I have an objection. This has nothing to do with science standards in Kansas. See similar questions...

Vegetation provides sources of food and habitat, cover from predators, and countless other functions, such as assimilating nutrients and stabilizing soils. Environmentally, some of the most important vegetated habitats include mangrove wetlands and seagrass beds, both found near Midnight Pass. important step in most coastal dredging projects is to determine and define which habitats may be affected. See similar questions...

Early pedometers were mechanical and used a moving lever arm to count steps. Electronic pedometers now detect movement through a spring loaded, counter-balanced mechanism that records vertical acceleration at the hip. Pedometers measure the number of steps a person takes throughout the day. See similar questions...

Habitat destruction, fragmentation, and degradation – agricultural conversion, urbanization, wetland draining, forest fragmentation; Over-exploitation – over-fishing, over-hunting, poaching and non-animal impacts like over-grazing; and See similar questions...

Life on Earth as we know it would not exist if its rich biodiversity were severely altered. Species (including humans) and the ecosystems in which they live are linked together though the flows of energy and materials. A change in the life of one species—especially extinction—could ripple throughout an ecosystem, changing the life of many other species, including humans. Harming the world's biodiversity could have serious repercussions. See similar questions...

Many people and organizations around the world working to help protect biodiversity. Here are some websites you may find useful: Read MAB's booklet on biodiversity conservation called Working for Biodiversity. (This is a PDF file and requires Adobe Acrobat.) It can help answer more of your questions. See similar questions...

Measure the width and length or diameter of the table you'd like to cover. Measure from the table top down to where you'd like the tablecloth to drop. Add the drop twice, once for each side: See similar questions...

Scientists say there is a biodiversity crisis because the current rate of extinction is roughly 100-1,000 times faster than the natural rate. Besides diminishing the natural world around us, scientists believe that this loss of biodiversity will harm people. This is because we depend on nature for food, medicines (such as cancer treatments), industrial products (such as oils and resins), and vital ecosystem services (such as water purification, erosion control, and climate control). See similar questions...