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Natural History DivisionNatural History Division

Institute of JamaicaInstitute of Jamaica

November, 2004November, 2004

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BioBio = = lifelife

DiverseDiverse = = differentdifferent

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BIODIVERSITY

is

a measurement of ALL the different types of living things on

Earth

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•Living SpeciesSpecies–Animals–Plants–Fungi –Bacteria –Viruses

•Habitats

•Ecosystems

Microbes

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HabitatHabitat

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The place where an animal The place where an animal liveslives

e.g. e.g. - under a rock- under a rock

- in a tree trunk- in a tree trunk

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EcosystemEcosystem

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Many plants, animals, and Many plants, animals, and microorganisms living microorganisms living together in their together in their environmentenvironment

Made up of many habitatsMade up of many habitats

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Food Chains

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Food Chains

Plants and animals in an ecosystem are linked by what they eat, or what gives them energy.

the vegetation gets energy from the sun the cow gets energy from the vegetation the person gets energy from the cow

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A food chain

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Food Webs

Why is biodiversity Why is biodiversity important?important?

Threats to BiodiversityThreats to Biodiversity

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Words to KnowWords to Know

EXTINCT EXTINCT

ENDANGEREDENDANGERED

NATIVENATIVE

ENDEMICENDEMIC

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• Extinct – no longer living

• Endangered – in danger of becoming extinct

MammothMammoth

Extinct Jamaican Species?Extinct Jamaican Species?

Jamaican Poorwill Jamaican Poorwill Siphonorhis americanusSiphonorhis americanus 1860?1860?

http://www.camacdonald.com/birding/carjamaica.htm

Jamaican Monkey Jamaican Monkey Xenothrix mcgregoriXenothrix mcgregori

extinct: extinct: 1500-17001500-1700

http://creo.amnh.org/example1.html

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Aliens

•Introduced species• Also called exotic species

•Belong to other habits

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How do Aliens reach new habitats?

http://www.epa.gov/maia/html/intro-species.html

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How do Aliens reach new habitats?

• Seed dispersal by animals

• Plants and Animals carried from one country to another via ships, airplanes & trains

• Seeds stuck in the grooves of someone’s shoes and insects are easily transported to different locations

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Introduced Species

• humans are responsible for most introduced species

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WHY????

1. Control of pests

- Indian Mongoose brought to Jamaica to control rats

2. Trade

- Crops, Flowers & Pets

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Examples of Alien Species in Jamaica

• Ackee– Africa

• Breadfruit- New Guinea

• English sea captain, • 1793

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The Spanish brought– Coconut– Pineapple– Citrus fruits– Banana– Plantain– Sugar cane

• The Indians brought Ganja

http://www.cnn.com/interactive/food/0008/native.foods/content2.htmlhttp://www.settlement.org/cp/english/jamaica/landclim.html

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Mango Mangifera indica

In the 1700s a French ship was captured at sea by Jamaican Soldiers

http://wwwchem.uwimona.edu.jm:1104/lectures/mango.htmlhttp://wwwchem.uwimona.edu.jm:1104/lectures/mango.html

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Words to KnowWords to Know

ALIEN ALIEN

INVASIVEINVASIVE

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• Invasive Invasive SpeciesSpecies

• Some Aliens are dangerous

• Harm the native species and destroy the habitat

• Some Aliens are good

• NO harm to native species and habitats

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Invasive Species in JAMAICA

Rat Mongoose

Jamaica has more endemic birds and Jamaica has more endemic birds and plants than any other Caribbean islandplants than any other Caribbean island

Jamaican Biodiversity Jamaican Biodiversity

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Was thought Extinct

Population is recovering

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Biodiversity is really cool! We learned about it today in school.

The ecosystem—that’s where it’s at.

And where organisms live, that’s their habitat.

Now to have an ecosystem that is so fine,

you gotta have variety down the line.

You need lots of animals. And plants, too.

Usually more is better than just a few.

To keep biodiversity in days to come,

we can’t keep the animals on the run

But if I do my part and you do yours,

we can ALL protect the great outdoors.

So now that you’ve heard my diversity song,

I hope on the next round that you’ll sing along.

So teach it to others, and our feet we’ll all tap.

As EVERYONE does the Biodiversity Rap!

©http://www.uga.edu/srel/kidsdoscience/biodiversity/biodiversity-03_files/frame.htm

thethe Bio- Bio- ddiivveerrssiittyy RapRap

For Information For Information Contact:Contact:

Jamaica Clearing House MechanismJamaica Clearing House Mechanism

Natural History DivisionNatural History Division

Institute of JamaicaInstitute of Jamaica

10-16 East Street10-16 East Street

Kingston Kingston

JamaicaJamaica

Website: Website: www.jamaicachm.org.jm

Email: Email: chm.nhd@cwjamaica.com

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Crossword CluesCrossword Clues

DOWN1. Means exchange2. Means variety of life3. These species are

introduced into new habitats

4. Pest often found in homes

5. Another term for alien6. Introduced plant eaten

as part of the national dish

ACROSS2. Type of snake in

Jamaica3. Ultimate goal of

conservation4. Means gone forever5. Means could become

extinct soon6. Home of a species

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