Download Biodiversity

Biodiversity:
Who cares?
Which do you like better?
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Which do you like better?
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Which do you like better?
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Which do you like better?
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What do you think biodiversity
means?
Biodiversity
What does “Bio” mean?
Bio =
Biodiversity
What does “Diversity” mean?
Diversity = Variety
Biodiversity is the variety of life on
Earth and the essential
interdependence of all living things
http://www.educapoles.org/multimedia/animation_detail/the_biodiversity_introduction/
• Scientists have identified more than 2 million species. Tens
of millions -- remain unknown
•The tremendous variety of life on Earth is made possible by
complex interactions among all living things including
microscopic species like algae and mites.
There are 3 components of
biodiversity
1.
Diversity of genes
Example: chihuahuas, beagles, and rottweilers are all
dogs—but they're not the same because their genes
are different.
Chihuahua
Beagle
Rottweilers
There are 3 components of
biodiversity
Diversity of species
For example, monkeys, dragonflies, and
meadow beauties are all different species.
Saki Monkey
Golden Skimmer
Meadow Beauty
There are 3 components of
biodiversity
Diversity of ecosystems
Prairies, Ponds, and tropical rain forests are all
ecosystems. Each one is different, with its own set of
species living in it.
Paines Prairie
Florida Sand hill Pond
Hoh Rain Forest
Biodiversity
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Variety of living things,
number of kinds
Ecological diversity
– different habitats,
niches, species
interactions
Species diversity
– different kinds of
organisms,
relationships among
species
Genetic diversity
– different genes &
combinations of genes
within populations
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Which is more diverse?
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Which is more diverse?
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Which is more diverse?
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Which is more diverse?
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Which has more cultural
diversity?
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Which has more biodiversity?
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Which has more biodiversity?
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Biodiversity
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Where is the biodiversity
 Everywhere
 Every continent and
habitat has unique
life forms
 Concentrated in the
tropics
 Panama: > 500
species of breeding
birds
 Arctic: 50-100
species
 Dense
concentrations
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Benefits of Biodiversity
http://www.educapoles.org/multimedia/animation_detail/the_benefits_of_biodiversity
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Ecosystem functions
Ecosystem services
• Cleaning water,
Cleaning air,
• Habitat & breeding
areas for wildlife, …
Aesthetic and cultural
benefits
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Natural Resources
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Vital economic natural resources
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Renewable
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Nonrenewable
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Forests (plants, wildlife)
Soils
Fresh water (lakes, rivers)
Wildlife and fisheries
Rangeland
Minerals
Fossil Fuels
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Benefits of Biodiversity
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New food sources
– Grains, fruits, vegetables, meat, fish
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Benefits of Biodiversity
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Medicines
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Plants
Jellyfish & sea
anemones
Nudibranchs
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Marine slugs
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What do we get from
biodiversity?
Oxygen
Food
http://www.educapoles.org/multimedia/animation_detail/biodiversity_and_food/
Clean Water
Medicine
Aesthetics
Ideas
Should we be concerned about
biodiversity?
What we know:
The Earth is losing species at an alarming rate
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Some scientists estimate that as many as 3 species per
hour are going extinct and 20,000 extinctions occur each
year.
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when species of plants and animals go extinct, many
other species are affected.
Threats to biodiversity
Habitat destruction
Pollution
http://www.educapoles.org/multimedia/animation_detail/polluting_waste_very_embarrassing_leftovers/
Species Introductions
http://www.educapoles.org/multimedia/animation_detail/biodiversity_invasive_species/
Global Climate Change
http://www.educapoles.org/multimedia/animation_detail/the_biodiversity_climate_change/
Exploitation
Threats to Biodiversity
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Extinction and population
reductions
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Hunting and overharvesting
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Tiger
Dodo
Whales
Sharks
Habitat loss
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Threats to Biodiversity
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Extinction and
population reductions
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Pollution
Climate change
Invasive species
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Protecting Biodiversity
http://www.educapoles.org/multimedia/animation_detail/preserving_biodiversity_adjustment_strategies/
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How can we protect
biodiversity
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Stop overharvesting
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Sustainable yield
Hunting & fishing laws
(every state ?)
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Protect habitat
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in developing nations ?
Refuges, parks, preserves
Endangered Species Act
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Protecting Biodiversity
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Refuges, parks, preserves
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How big should refuges be?
Where should they be?
McArthur & Wilson “Theory of Island
Biogeography”
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colonization rate
extinction rate (local)
predicts number of species
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Protecting Biodiversity
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Endangered Species Act (1973)
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Goal to “recover” species so they no longer need protection under ESA
Implements U.S. participation in CITES
 “Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species”
 Prohibits trade in listed species
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whole organisms
parts: skins, bones, teeth, flowers, leaves, etc.
Other laws:
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Marine Mammal Protection Act
Migratory Bird Treaty Act
Anadromous Fish Conservation Act
etc.
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Protecting Biodiversity
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Endangered Species Act
(1973)
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Listing of “endangered” and
“threatened” species
Restricts development of
habitats
Captive breeding programs
 Release of captive bred
stocks to enhance or
recover wild populations.
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http://www.fws.gov/e
ndangered/
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Protecting Biodiversity
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Biodiversity “hotspots”
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Protection of habitat
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