Biodiversity Unit 7

Section 1: Biodiversity Biodiversity* is the number and variety of different species in a given area. 1.7 million species are known to science but it is estimated that there are about ten million. Everyday one of these species goes extinct.

E.O. Wilson Born in Birmingham, AL. He laid the foundation for the concept of biodiversity through his work with ants.

It can be studied on three levels: 1. Species diversity – differences between populations in species. 2. Ecosystem diversity – variety of habitats, communities, and ecological processes within and between ecosystems. 3. Genetic diversity – all the different genes contained within all members of a population.

Benefits Species are connected and are part of cycles in the community. Some species promote great diversity and are known as keystone species.

Genetic diversity The smaller a population becomes the lower the genetic diversity becomes and lower the chance of survival.(bottleneck)

Medical, Industrial, Agricultural One fourth of the drugs used in the US are derived from plants. Antibiotics found in fungi.

The majority of food comes from a few places with high diversity. Some countries the majority of their economy depends on ecotourism.

Section 2: Endangerment Threatened species – species with a declining population that are likely to become endangered if not protected. Endangered species are likely to become extinct if protective measures are not taken immediately.

Extinction Extinction* is the loss of a species family or other group from existence. There have been five different mass extinction in the history of Earth. Could we currently be in the midst of a sixth mass extinction due to the activities of humans?

Mass Extinction is the loss of many species over short period of time.

Human Causes Habitat destruction and fragmentation is responsible for 75 percent of extinctions. Invasive exotic species – species introduced to an area that threaten the native population.

Harvesting, Hunting, and Poaching Pollution – pesticides, cleaning products, drugs, and other chemicals used by humans that disrupt the food web.

Genetic Modification Genetically modified crops can outcompete wild plants. Even though the plants can be modified to make plants resistant to disease. If the plants all become uniform it could make them susceptible to other diseases.

Important Biodiversity Areas Tropical Rain Forest Coral Reefs and Coastal Ecosystems Islands Home to a large number of endemic species.(native and found only in a limited area.)

Section 3: Protection Methods used to save individual species. 1.) Captive-Breeding Programs 2.) Preserving Genetic Material - germ cells are preserved and may be used one day for research or recovery. 3.) Zoos, Aquariums, Parks, and Gardens

Preserving Habitats 1.) Strategies Identify areas of native habitat that can be preserved Promote sustainable products

Legal Protection 1.) US laws – 1973 Endangered species act requires a list of animals and that humans can be punished for having any part in harming an animal on this list.

2. Recovery and Conservation Habitat conservation plans protect one or more species through trade-offs or cooperative agreements.

International Movements 1.) Cites* is a treaty that banned the trade of endangered species it was passed by the IUCN

2.) Biodiversity Treaty 1992 The Earth Summit led to the adoption of the biodiversity treaty that stated all measures should be used to protect biodiversity and genetic resources should be used fairly.

Discussion What is happening to honey bee population? Why? What does this mean to the local ecosystems? What are the causes of mass extinctions, and in your opinion are we currently experiencing one?