Biodiversity: Who cares?

Which is more diverse? A B

A B

A B

A B

A B Which has more cultural diversity?

Which has more biodiversity? AB

AB

What do you think biodiversity means?

Bio = Bio diversity What does “ Bio ” mean?

Diversity = Variety What does “ Diversity ” mean? Biodiversity is the variety of life in an area or on Earth

Biodiversity 12 Variety of living things, number of kinds Variety of living things, number of kinds Ecological diversity Ecological diversity – different habitats, niches, species interactions Species diversity Species diversity – different kinds of organisms, relationships among species Genetic diversity Genetic diversity – different genes & combinations of genes within populations

Biodiversity How much biodiversity How much biodiversity 1.7—2.0 million species 1.7—2.0 million species Estimates to 100 million Estimates to 100 million 16 June 2010Biodiversity.ppt13

Essential Nutrient Cycles All life depends on essential nutrients that cycle between life and Earth. All life depends on essential nutrients that cycle between life and Earth. If there is a break in the cycle then life pays the price. If there is a break in the cycle then life pays the price.

Chemical Cycling Nutrient cycles involve a balance between both abiotic and biotic components of an ecosystem Nutrient cycles involve a balance between both abiotic and biotic components of an ecosystem The most essential nutrients that life depends on are: Water, Carbon, Nitrogen, Phosphorus The most essential nutrients that life depends on are: Water, Carbon, Nitrogen, Phosphorus

Threats to Biodiversity Things that mess up our delicate balance with Earth 1.Habitat Loss 2.Pollution 3.Exploitation 4.Global Climate Change 5.Invasive Species

Habitat Loss Habitat destruction Habitat destruction Logging Logging Ranching Ranching Agriculture Agriculture Houses Houses Roads Roads

Pollution Pollution occurs in the air, on the land, and in the water. Pollution occurs in the air, on the land, and in the water.

Biological Magnification Toxic substances become more concentrated at higher levels in the food chain. Toxic substances become more concentrated at higher levels in the food chain.

Ozone Depeletion Pollution from chlorofluorocarbons (CFC’s) released into the atmosphere destroys the ozone layer. Pollution from chlorofluorocarbons (CFC’s) released into the atmosphere destroys the ozone layer.

Bioremediation Bioremediation: use of living organisms to detoxify polluted systems Bioremediation: use of living organisms to detoxify polluted systems

Exploitation Over hunting Over hunting Over Fishing Over Fishing Over Using Over Using

Global Climate Change Global Warming : warming of planet due to atmospheric accumulation of carbon dioxide. Global Warming : warming of planet due to atmospheric accumulation of carbon dioxide.

Invasive Species Non-native species that is brought into an area that takes over killing many things that live there. Non-native species that is brought into an area that takes over killing many things that live there.

Should we be concerned about biodiversity? What we know: The Earth is losing species at an alarming rate Some scientists estimate that as many as 3 species per hour are going extinct and 20,000 extinctions occur each year. Some scientists estimate that as many as 3 species per hour are going extinct and 20,000 extinctions occur each year. When species of plants and animals go extinct, many other species are affected. When species of plants and animals go extinct, many other species are affected.

What do we get from biodiversity? Oxygen Oxygen Food Food Clean Water Clean Water Medicine Medicine Aesthetics Aesthetics Survival Survival

Protecting Biodiversity 16 June 2010Biodiversity.ppt29 Biodiversity “hotspots” Biodiversity “hotspots” Protection of habitat Protection of habitat

Conservation Biology Conservation Biology Preservations Preservations Rescue programs Rescue programs Resource conservation Resource conservation Reintroduction programs Reintroduction programs A branch of biology that focuses on the preservation of biodiversity