Biodiversity

“At least 40% of the world’s economy and 80% of the needs of the poor are derived from

biological resources. In addition, the richer the diversity of life, the greater the opportunity for

medical discoveries, economic development, and adaptive responses to such new challenges as

climate change.”

What is Biodiversity?• Short for biological diversity.• Refers to the number and variety of

species in a given area. (think beyond just animals!)

• Certain areas (biomes) such as tropical rainforests have a greater variety of species than others.

• Biodiversity takes into account diversity of species, their genes, their populations, and their communities.

3 Levels of Biodiversity

Ecosystem DiversitySpecies Diversity

Genetic Diversity

The number and variety of ecosystems or habitats within a given region. ie: rainforest vs. cornfield.

The differences in DNA content among individuals within species and populations.

The number and variety of species in

the world or in a particular area.

Biodiversity Distribution• Species are NOT evenly distributed.

– Certain regions and biomes have more species than others.• Species diversity is dependent upon habitat diversity.

– There are more of certain types of species than others. For example, there are more insects than any other type of species.

• Measuring Biodiversity.– It is challenging so scientists use tools

to estimate.– Terry Erwin Tree Fogging Story – Terry Erwin found 1200 species of beetle

living in19 trees of the same species.

How Many Are There?• There are 1.7-2 million known species on

Earth…most of those species are insects. • Scientists estimate that we actually have

more than 10 million species. • Why don’t we know exactly?

– Unexplored areas of Earth– Species size – the itty bitties are hard to see!– Identification is difficult when the species are so

similar.

Benefits of Biodiversity• Biodiversity increases the stability of

ecosystems. • Biodiversity increases resilience of

ecosystems providing them with more strength to recover/bounce back after something happens.

• Biodiversity benefits agriculture. More food = more options for growing food and providing for our growing population.

• Biodiversity provides an environment rich with medicines and related products.

• Biodiversity benefits the economy by generating money through tourism and recreation.

Why Preserve Biodiversity?• Ethics – Some people believe that

we should preserve species because they have a right to exist.

• Aesthetics – Some appreciate the beauty that certain species offer.

• Recreation –Species should be preserved so people can see them and enjoy them.

• Practical Use – Foods, medicines, and other useful products can be obtained from a variety of species. Many believe that we should preserve based on the need for humans to use the species on this planet to help us to survive.

The More the Merrier!• More species and variety of species can

ensure the survival of many. • Fewer species, fewer genes in the gene pool,

and species can fall easier to disease and other problems.

• An incredible number of species have already provided humans with medicines, food, clothing, and other items. How many more are able to do so that haven’t been discovered? Will they be lost before we know?

Biodiversity At Risk• Scientists are warning that we are in the

midst of a mass extinction. • Earth has experienced 5 major extinction

events. Although the extinction event occurring now is similar to others, it is different for 2 main reasons:1. Humans are causing it.2. Humans will suffer as a result of it.

• Paleontologists estimate that roughly 99% of all species that ever lived are extinct.

How Do Humans Cause Endangerment and Extinction?

• Habitat Change, Destruction, and Fragmentation– breaking up the landscape, i.e.: rather than having one

large forest, having lots of little forests

• Invasive and Exotic Species– Introducing species to places that they don’t belong…and

then they take over an area and kick out other species.

• Overharvesting, Hunting, Poaching– Certain animals should not be hunted or poached like

protected gorillas in Africa, but they are…this threatens their survival as a species.

• Pollution (Including Global Climate Change)– Water, air, and land pollution are making it difficult for

sensitive species to survive.

What can we change? Any? All? None?

Who is Vulnerable?• Not cockroaches or rats! But why?

– They are “generalists” – found everywhere, reproduce very quickly.

• Who is vulnerable? What makes them vulnerable?– Those species that are not found

everywhere are the most vulnerable – “specialists” that are found in very specific places.

Critical Biodiversity Areas• Certain areas contain a greater

diversity of species.• Species richness increases as you

move toward the equator.• Species diversity tends to increase as

habitat diversity within an ecosystem increases.

• Tropical Rain Forests, Coral Reefs, Coastal Ecosystems, and Islands.

Biodiversity Hotspots• The most threatened areas on Earth. • Scientists have identified 25 specific spots. • Most have 70% of their original natural

vegetation. • Many are threatened by human activity. • In the United States…Northern California

floristic province. • Identifying hotspots is a way to prioritize

those areas that are critical to protect. • A hotspot generally contains a

great number of species that are endemic to the area, or found no where else in the world.

Keystone Species• Ecologists have found that in

communities some species exert greater influence than do others.

• Keystone species: a species that has a strong or wide reaching impact on a community.

• If a Keystone species is removed, the ecosystem will be altered in a major way.

• Examples: Sea otter, wolves

Umbrella and Flagship Species• Umbrella Species

– Siberian tigers require large habitats.

– Meeting the habitat needs of the tigers also meets the needs of thousands of other species found within that ecosystem.

• Flagship Species– The panda is considered a flagship

species. – A flagship species is often a large,

charismatic, recognizable individual that draws attention to a cause.

– The panda is used within the World Wildlife Fund’s logo.

Endangered vs. Threatened• Endangered Species – likely to become

extinct if protective measures are not taken immediately.

• Threatened Species - one that has a declining population and is likely to become endangered if not protected.

• Extinction – occurs when the last member of a species dies and the species ceases to exist.

• Extirpation – disappearance of a particular population from a given area, but not from the entire planet.

• Captive Breeding– The process of breeding and reintroducing species

that that are in danger. – The California Condor (1996)

• Preserving Genetic Material– Germplasm – any form of genetic material saved for future

use.

• Zoos, Aquariums, Parks, Gardens– Originally used to display exotic animals and now they are

more like museums used to highlight species in danger and to protect them.

• Wildlife Corridors– Areas that connect fragmented habitats. They enable

isolated populations to breed once again. – Panthera Foundation (tigers in Southeast Asia), Operation Big

Bird (birds in Australia)

Saving Species One At A Time

Preserving Habitats and Ecosystems• Many argue that the most

effective way to protect species is to protect their habitat.

• Current conservation strategies focus on the entire ecosystem not a single species.

• Protection of the Northern Spotted Owl vs. Logging in Washington and Oregon.

Legal Protection for Species• 1973 – Endangered Species Act (ESA)

– Administered by USFWS and NOAA– Designed to protect plant and animal species in

danger of extinction.

• Major Provisions of the Act – A list must be kept – They may not be killed, caught, uprooted, sold, or

traded. – The federal government must not carry out any

project that jeopardizes endangered species. – The USFWS must prepare a species recovery plan

for each species listed, including habitat protection.

• Benefits and Cost of the ESA– Success Stories: Peregrine falcon, Brown pelican,

Bald eagle– North Americans like the ESA, but feel that it can

be costly. At one point it interfered with logging jobs in the northwest as the act protected northern spotted owl.

International Cooperation• IUCN – International Union for the Conservation of

Nature/Natural Resources. – 200 government agencies and 700 private conservation

organizations.– It produces “Red Lists” including species in danger around the

world. • CITES – Convention on International Trade in Endangered

Species– Helped stop the slaughtering of African Elephants with 1989 ban

on ivory trading. • Biodiversity Treaty

– Took place at the 1st “Earth Summit” in Brazil. – Goal of the treaty was to create a situation where trade and

economic agreements should take into account impacts on biodiversity.

– Led to subsequent gatherings such as Kyoto and Copenhagen.

Private Organizations• World Wildlife Fund

– One of the largest conservation organizations working to protect natural resources, endangered species, and supporting sustainable practices worldwide.

• Nature Conservancy• Conservation International• Center for Biological Diversity