Sarah, after completing all the readings and looking into the
two species concepts in detail - what do you think? Do you think
one definition or the other has more merit? If scientists are
not unified behind the BSC, what do you think of its central
role in school textbooks? You make a great point about numbers.
As soon as we narrow the definition of species, then we have
fewer animals within each species. Should protection be all
about numbers? Some people have suggested that conservation
efforts should be focused on preserving whole habitats and
ecosystems rather than boosting the numbers of specific species.
Do you think this is a better way to go? Maureen 28 Sept 9:06PM
I think the preservation of habitats and ecosystems is a plan
that protects a greater number of species and promotes continued
biodiversity by insulating the areas with the highest potential
for speciation. The “lost world” in Papua, New Guinea is just
one example of how a “protected” habitat can give rise to a host
of new species. The ear