PubTalk 8/2003 — Human Footprints on the Web of Life

Biodiversity and Increasing Population and Development in California

by Robert N.Fisher, Research Zoologist

• Why does California lead the country in endangered species--why are so many reptiles and amphibians in decline?
• Learn about the California lizard that keeps Lyme disease in check and the butterflies that prevented development on San Bruno Mountain
• California faces growing economic costs from fire ants, Asian clams, and other aggressive invasive species
• The megamouth shark occurs off our coast, but was not discovered until 1976--what else do we still not know?
• How will California's spreading asphalt (already 5 million acres) affect future biodiversity? Thursday August