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. See similar questions...

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 when you have many different kinds of living organisms in one area. What would be the opposite of biodiversity? One example would be the absence of life: the moon has no biodiversity (that we know of!). Another would be just a single type of life: a petri dish in a sterile laboratory, with just one type of bacteria growing in it. Very different from - and frankly a lot more boring than - a place where you can find many, many different living creatures. 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...

About two thirds are biologists (when we last counted, at any rate). (There are, unsurprisingly, few biologists to be found on the creationist lists.) Most are scientists; there are a few borderline cases (economists, philosophers, psychiatrists, science educators, medical researchers, computer scientists, and so forth). Nearly all are Ph.D.s; there are a few M.D.s and Ed.D.s. Update as of August 14, 2007: we counted again in February 2006 at the behest of a reporter for The New York Times. 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...

Talk to your GP or practice nurse about having an assessment to determine your risk of developing coronary heart disease. This will involve measuring your blood sugar, blood cholesterol, blood pressure and your weight and height. It will also involve an assessment of your smoking history and a history of your family's illness (did your mother, father, siblings or other close relatives acquire heart disease before the age of 55 if they were a man or 65 if they were a woman) See similar questions...