Chapter 10: Biodiversity p. 240-258 What is biodiversity? Biodiversity at Risk The future of Biodiversity

Key Terms Biodiversity Gene Keystone species Ecotourism Endangered species Threatened species Exotic species Poaching Endemic species Germ plasm Endangered species act Habitat conservation plan Biodiversity treaty

objectives Describe the diversity of species types on Earth, relating the difference between know numbers and estimated numbers. List and describe 3 levels of biodiversity. Explain 4 ways in which biodiversity is important (benefits) to ecosystems and humans. What are some medical examples? Analyze the potential value of a single species. (Keystone) Give an example.

What is biodiversity?- Biological Diversity(number and variety of species in an area) What causes species to become extinct? How many species are becoming extinct? How much extinction is natural? Do you think humans should try to prevent the loss of species?  If we study other organisms and preserve biodiversity helps us for our own survival.

Unknown Diversity- Haven’t discovered yet Deep in ocean, remote wilderness Know more about trees and animals Less about insects and fungi

Levels of Diversity Species diversity- all the differences between populations of species, as well as between different species Ecosystem diversity- variety of habitats, communities and ecological processes within and between ecosystems Genetic diversity- different genes contained within all members of a population

Benefits of Biodiversity Impact the stability of ecosystems and populations Healthy ecosystems to ensure healthy biosphere Increase in genetic diversity (no bottlenecking) Medical and Agricultural Ethics, Aesthetics and Recreation (ecotourism)

Keystone Species Sometimes changes in the population of a single species, often called a keystone species, can cause dramatic changes in the structure of a community. In the cold waters off the Pacific coast of North America, for example, sea otters devour large quantities of sea urchins. Urchins are herbivores whose favorite food is kelp, giant algae that grow in undersea “forests.” A century ago, sea otters were nearly eliminated by hunting. Unexpectedly, the kelp forest nearly vanished. Without otters as predators, the sea urchin population skyrocketed, and armies of urchins devoured kelp down to bare rock. Without kelp to provide habitat, many other animals, including seabirds, disappeared. Otters were a keystone species in this community. Ecology 2010

Biodiversity at risk- objectives Define and give examples of endangered and threatened species. Describe several ways that species are being threatened with extinction globally. What are the humans doing? What are exotic species? Give an example. Explain poaching? How does this affect the biodiversity? Explain which types of threats are having the largest impact on biodiversity. List areas of the world that have high levels of biodiversity and many threats to species. What are endemic species? Give an example. Compare the amount of biodiversity in the US to that of the rest of the world.

Current Extinctions Past: Most extinctions are mass due to climate change (natural) Current: Between 1800 and 2100 25% of all species on earth may become extinct due to humans (not natural) Species prone to extinction- small populations in limited areas, small gene pool, migrate, need large or special habitats, exploited by humans

Species prone to extinction- Endangered species- likely to happen if protective measures are not taken immediately Threatened species- has declining population and that is likely to become endangered if it is not protected

Human Impact? Population growth accelerated and so has rate of extinctions (table 3 p. 246) Destruction of habitats and fragmentation the introduction of nonnative species (Invasive Exotic species) Harvesting, hunting, and poaching Pollution

Human Impact? Destruction of habitats and fragmentation Almost 75% of extinctions now occurring 2001 Florida Panther 80 left

Human Impact? 2. the introduction of nonnative species -Invasive Exotic species – species that is not native to a particular region Can threaten native species have no natural defenses against them Hawaii strict rules of brining in plants and fruits -(fire ants, zebra muscles, many plants)

Human Impact? 3. Harvesting, hunting, and poaching 1800s- to 1900s 2 billion passenger pigeons were hunted to extinction and bison was hunted nearly to extinction Pets, house plants, wood ,food, medicine New laws to regulate hunting, fishing, harvesting, trade Poaching- illegal trade of regulated wildlife

Human Impact? 4. Pollution- Pesticides, cleaning agents, drugs are making their way into food webs DDT and bald eagle only illegal to use in us

Areas of Critical Biodiversity Endemic species- are native to and found only within a limited area Tropical rain Forest Coral Reefs and Coastal Ecosystems Island-

Tropical Rain Forest Covers less than 7% of earths land surface However over half of world’s species live in these forest Many have never been identified or described Unknown numbers of species are disappearing as tropical forests are cleared for farming http://library.thinkquest.org/11353/trforest.htm

Coral Reefs and Coastal Ecosystems Also occupy a small fraction of marine environments yet contain the majority of the biodiversity Food, tourism revenue, coastal protection, new chemicals 1998 study estimated $375 billion per year 60% reefs threatened by human activities (nemo)

Island Colonized by a limited number of species from mainland (Galapagos and Hawaiian Islands) Holds very distinct but limited set of species Hawaii hold 28 species of birds called honeycreepers

Biodiversity Hotspots Most threatened areas of high species diversity 25 areas- many have lost at least 70% of original natural vegetation Madagascar- 18% forest remains, more than 10,000 flowering plant species are endemic 91% of 300 reptile 33 species of lemur

Biodiversity in US Florida Everglades California coastal region Hawaii US holds high numbers of species of freshwater fish, mussels, snails, crayfish, pine trees and sunflowers California Floristic Province- 3,488 native plants (2,124 are endemic and 565 threatened or endangered) threatened by local human growth

10.3 objectives List and describe 4 types of efforts to save individual species. Explain the advantages of protecting entire ecosystems rather than individual species. Discuss ways in which efforts to protect endangered species can lead to controversy. Describe 3 examples of worldwide cooperative effort to prevent extinctions. Explain the outcomes of CITES and Biodiversity Treaty.

Future of Biodiversity Slowing the loss of species is possible, but to do so we must develop new approaches to conservation and sensitivity to human needs around the globe.

Saving on Species One at a Time Captive- Breading Programs Preserving genetic material Zoos, aquariums, parks and gardens More study needed http://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/energy-and-environment/article3568516.ece

Captive-Breeding Programs Breeding species in captive in hopes to restore populations California Condor- Scavengers, habitat loss, poaching, led poisoning 1986- 9 remaining left as of 2002 58 condors returned to wild and 102 still live in captivity But will they reproduce in the wild to restore their populations

Preserving Genetic Material Germ Plasm- any form of genetic material that can reproduce to produce new life Seeds, sperm, eggs or DNA Germ-Plasm banks- store for future use of research

Zoos, Aquariums, Parks and Gardens Original was to put exotic animals on display Now house few remaining organisms Botanical gardens house about 90,000 species of plants worldwide

More study needed Saving a few individuals does little to preserve a species Captive species may not reproduce or survive again in the wild (Lonesome George) Vulnerable to infectious disease and genetic disorders caused by inbreeding Last resort to save species

Preserving Habitats and Ecosystems Number one way to save species is to protect their habitats More than just a small plot of land Conservation Strategies- protect the ecosystems rather than the individual species Main focus is on world hot spots More study is needed for preservation

Legal Protection US Laws- 1973 US Congress passed Endangered Species Act (p255 table 4) protect plant ad animal species in danger of extinction USFWS must compile a list May not be caught or killed, not uprooted, sold or traded No project can jeopardizes endangered species Must prepare a species recovery plan for each

Recovery and Habitat Conservation Plan Can be controversial for human use Habitat conservation plan- attempts to protect one or more species across large area of land through trade-offs or cooperative agreements

International Cooperation International Union for the Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (ICCN)- try to protect species and habitats 200 governmental agencies and over 700 private conservation organizations Red List of species in danger ww Advised governments on ways to manage natural resources and work with groups life World Wildlife Fund to sponsor conservation projects

International Trade and Poaching CITES- Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species Fist effective effort to stop the slaughter of African elephants (poaching for Ivory) Biodiversity Treaty- Earth Summit- 100 world leaders 30,000 other participants met in 1992 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil- Treaty goal was to preserve biodiversity and ensure that sustainable and fair use of genetic resources in all countries

Private efforts- World Wildlife Fund Nature Conservancy Greenpeace

Balancing Human Needs Attempts to protect species often come into conflict with the interest of the world’s human inhabitants. Sometimes, an endangered species represents a source of food or income, in other cases, a given species may not seem valuable to those who do not understand the species role in an ecosystem Many conservationists feel that an important part of protecting species making the value of biodiversity understood by more people.