Ecology: Biodiversity and Conservation

Do Now: Biodiversity Biodiversity is the sum total of the variety of organisms in the biosphere. Sometimes humans can reduce biodiversity, which is considered a natural resource. 1) List three ways in which other organisms have proved to be a benefit to humans. (Hint: Think nutrient cycle) 2) Compare biodiversity with other natural resources, such as wood and fossil fuels. Do you think biodiversity is a renewable resource? Explain. 3) What can be done to preserve the biodiversity of organisms?

Why is biodiversity important? Living things depend on other living things Animals depend on plants and plants depend on animals to live Different populations of organisms have adapted to living together Predators and prey; organisms involved in symbiosis Brings stability to an ecosystem Since one species of plant is spread out between other types of plants and animals, it is difficult to wipe out that species completely

4. Humans depend on other organisms for their needs Plants provide oxygen, animals and plants provide food Plants provide raw materials for clothes and buildings Plants, fungi and bacteria provide medications

Extinction The disappearance of a species when the last of its members dies Occurs naturally or due to humans as we destroy the habitats of other organisms for our own uses Endangered species: species whose numbers are so low that extinction is possible Scientists have programs designed to save some endangered species Threatened species: a species that is likely to become endangered Like the African elephant

What causes species to become endangered or threatened species? 1. Habitat loss Humans cut down huge areas of rain forests for farmland and firewood 2. Habitat fragmentation: the separation of wilderness areas from other wilderness areas A fire or humans can clear out a section of forest, separating one side of the forest from the other As species move out of areas that no longer have resources for them, other species that depend on them die

3. Habitat degradation: the damage to a habitat by pollution to air, water, or land Acid precipitation: rain, snow, sleet, and fog that is acidic Car exhaust fumes combines with water in the air to make acid precipitation Ultraviolet rays from the sun reach the earth through the hole in the ozone layer in the atmosphere over Antarctica Excess fertilizers and animal wastes can be carried by rain into streams and lakes Large amounts of trash that are buried in landfills and break down very, very slowly

4. Edge effects: the different conditions that exist along the boundaries between a forest and a field, water and land, a road and the forest, etc. When the boundaries change, organisms are exposed to different living conditions 5. Exotic species: species that are not native to a particular area Can feed on other organisms when they move into a new environment, reducing the numbers of those organisms Exotic plant species may reproduce and grow so rapidly that they overtake other plants in the area  

Watch a short video on biodiversity http://player.discoveryeducation.com/index.cfm?guidAssetId=4F20D1AB-75C0-4503-918E-73445517530E&blnFromSearch=1&productcode=US

Human Impact Do Now: 1) List the services /resources are provided by the environment? 2)Circle the resources can we not live without? 3) Write one way we are impacting negatively impacting the environment.

Services provided by Earth Solar energy Fish Soil Trees Coal Water Plants Timber Oceans Animals Energy minerals Oxygen Natural gas Fossil fuels Atmosphere Temperature control Oil Humans cannot live without:

Conservation biology The study and use of methods protect biodiversity These methods conserve natural resources Natural resources: the parts of the environment that are useful or necessary for living things Sunlight, water, air, and plant and animal resources

How can we protect biodiversity and endangered and threatened species? 1. U.S. Endangered Species Act This law was established in 1973 Makes it illegal to harm any species on the endangered or threatened species lists Makes it illegal for the government to give money to any project that would harm the habitats that contain organisms on the endangered or threatened species lists 2. Natural preserves and parks Areas that the government has protected as habitats for certain species so that no humans may interfere Yellowstone National Park

3. Habitat corridors: protected strips of land that allow the movement of organisms from one wilderness area to another Help organisms expand their gene pool because they can reproduce with organisms from a different area 4. Sustainable use: idea that people use natural resources in ways that benefit them and maintain the ecosystem People living in the Amazon Rain Forest harvest Brazil nuts to sell (rain forest is used, but not destroyed)

7. Storage of seeds for threatened and endangered species of plants 5. Reintroduction Programs: endangered or threatened species are captured, bred to increase the population, and then released back into the wild 6. Captivity: when an organism is held and taken care of by people so that it will not become extinct Ginkgo biloba tree 7. Storage of seeds for threatened and endangered species of plants Seeds can be planted if the species becomes extinct

Specifics on Each: http://www.earthportal.org/news/