What is BiodiversityWhat is Biodiversity

Chapter 10Chapter 10

A World Rich in BiodiversityA World Rich in Biodiversity

Biodiversity- the number and variety of Biodiversity- the number and variety of species in a given area.species in a given area.– About 1.7 million known species and an About 1.7 million known species and an

estimated 10 million total.estimated 10 million total.

A World Rich in BiodiversityA World Rich in Biodiversity

Levels of biodiversityLevels of biodiversity– Species diversity- differences between Species diversity- differences between

populations within a species, as well as populations within a species, as well as between other species.between other species.

– Ecosystem Diversity- the variety of habitats, Ecosystem Diversity- the variety of habitats, communities, and ecological processes.communities, and ecological processes.

– Genetic diversity- the variety of genes contained Genetic diversity- the variety of genes contained with in a certain population.with in a certain population.

Benefits of BiodiversityBenefits of Biodiversity

Species are connected to ecosystemsSpecies are connected to ecosystems– Life depends on lifeLife depends on life– Keystone species- a species that is critical to Keystone species- a species that is critical to

the functioning of an ecosystem.the functioning of an ecosystem.

Benefits of BiodiversityBenefits of Biodiversity

Species and population Species and population survivalsurvival– Genetic diversity is vital to Genetic diversity is vital to

species survival.species survival.– Bottleneck effectBottleneck effect

Benefits of BiodiversityBenefits of Biodiversity

Medical, industrial, and Agricultural usesMedical, industrial, and Agricultural uses– ¼ of all drugs are derived from plants and ¼ of all drugs are derived from plants and

almost all antibiotics come from fungialmost all antibiotics come from fungi– Some compounds used for industry come from Some compounds used for industry come from

plants and animalsplants and animals– All human food comes from living thingsAll human food comes from living things– Crop and livestock production has increased Crop and livestock production has increased

over time due to cross breeding.over time due to cross breeding.

Benefits to biodiversityBenefits to biodiversity

Medicine and Medicine and foodfood

Benefits to BiodiversityBenefits to Biodiversity

Ethics, Aesthetics, and recreationEthics, Aesthetics, and recreation– Some people believe we should maintain Some people believe we should maintain

biodiversity because all organisms have the biodiversity because all organisms have the right to exist whether or not they have value.right to exist whether or not they have value.

– Some people value biodiversity for aesthetic or Some people value biodiversity for aesthetic or personal enjoyment.personal enjoyment. ecotourismecotourism

Biodiversity at RiskBiodiversity at Risk

Current ExtinctionsCurrent Extinctions– Extinction- Species totally disappears from a Extinction- Species totally disappears from a

localized area or from the earth.localized area or from the earth.– Mass Extinction- extinction of many species in a Mass Extinction- extinction of many species in a

short period of time.short period of time.– Why do some species go extinct?Why do some species go extinct?

Small population sizeSmall population size MigrateMigrate Need for large or specialized habitatNeed for large or specialized habitat Organisms exploited by humansOrganisms exploited by humans

Biodiversity at RiskBiodiversity at Risk Current ExtinctionsCurrent Extinctions

– Endangered species- species likely to become Endangered species- species likely to become extinct if protective measures are not takenextinct if protective measures are not taken

– Threatened species- likely to become endangered if Threatened species- likely to become endangered if protective measures are not taken.protective measures are not taken.

Biodiversity at RiskBiodiversity at Risk

Biodiversity at RiskBiodiversity at Risk

How do humans cause extinctions?How do humans cause extinctions?– Habitat destruction and fragmentationHabitat destruction and fragmentation

Biodiversity at RiskBiodiversity at Risk

How do humans cause extinctions?How do humans cause extinctions?– Invasive exotic (alien) speciesInvasive exotic (alien) species

Exotic species- a species not native to a regionExotic species- a species not native to a region– Ex.- kudzu, fire antsEx.- kudzu, fire ants

– Harvesting, hunting, and poachingHarvesting, hunting, and poaching– PollutionPollution

Biodiversity at RiskBiodiversity at Risk

Areas of Critical BiodiversityAreas of Critical Biodiversity– Endemic species- species found only in a Endemic species- species found only in a

limited arealimited area– Tropical Rainforest- Tropical Rainforest-

7% of earth’s surface7% of earth’s surface ½ the worlds species ½ the worlds species

– Coral ReefsCoral Reefs Like rainforest (small area but high biodiversity)Like rainforest (small area but high biodiversity)

– IslandsIslands Very distinctive speciesVery distinctive species

Biodiversity at RiskBiodiversity at Risk

Biodiversity Hotspots- most threatened Biodiversity Hotspots- most threatened areasareas

Future of BiodiversityFuture of Biodiversity

Captive Breeding-Captive Breeding-– Breeding species in captivity with the hope of Breeding species in captivity with the hope of

reintroducing the species into its native habitat.reintroducing the species into its native habitat.

The Future of BiodiversityThe Future of Biodiversity

Preserving Genetic MaterialPreserving Genetic Material– Germ plasma- any form of genetic material (i.e. Germ plasma- any form of genetic material (i.e.

germ cells- egg, sperm, or pollen)germ cells- egg, sperm, or pollen)

Captivity-Captivity-– Zoos, Aquariums, Parks, and GardensZoos, Aquariums, Parks, and Gardens

Research- Research- – Understanding the needs and requirements of a Understanding the needs and requirements of a

species helps in maintaining the species.species helps in maintaining the species.

The Future of BiodiversityThe Future of Biodiversity

Preserving habitatsPreserving habitats– Conservation strategies-Conservation strategies-

Most conservationist focus on preserving whole Most conservationist focus on preserving whole ecosystems instead of individual speciesecosystems instead of individual species

The Future of BiodiversityThe Future of Biodiversity

Legal ProtectionsLegal Protections– U.S.U.S.

Endangered Species Act- 1973Endangered Species Act- 1973– Threatened and Endangered list producedThreatened and Endangered list produced– Illegal to harm species on listIllegal to harm species on list– Prevents government from carrying out any project that Prevents government from carrying out any project that

jeopardizes one of the listed speciesjeopardizes one of the listed species– Species recovery plan- habitat conservation planSpecies recovery plan- habitat conservation plan

The Future of BiodiversityThe Future of Biodiversity

InternationalInternational– Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural

Resources (IUCN)Resources (IUCN) CITES (Convention of International Trade in CITES (Convention of International Trade in

Endangered Species)- illegal to trade goods from Endangered Species)- illegal to trade goods from endangered speciesendangered species

– Earth SummitEarth Summit Biodiversity Treaty- preserve biodiversity and Biodiversity Treaty- preserve biodiversity and

sustainable usesustainable use

– Private EffortsPrivate Efforts